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December Newsletter, 2021
Welcome to our final newsletter for the year which will bring a challenging 2021 to a close.
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Our December edition of our bi-monthly newsletter contains numerous articles on areas of support and guidance and has a Christmas theme with the addition of some fun activities including a Christmas Trivia, recipe, colouring in and other activities.
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As CEO for Community Management Solutions, I am humbled to lead an organisation which has provided services and membership in this space for over 50 years.
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Firstly, I would like to thank you personally for utilizing the services of CMSolutions as we continue to grow, and we are very proud of the service that we provide to our valuable members.
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We view being a member of CMSolutions as being part of our family and we strive to provide the type of personal service which is only possible from an organisation that truly understands and most importantly appreciates your industry.
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Please watch out for our new annual member engagement survey and we would greatly appreciate if you could take the time to complete that for us and return so that we can continue to improve our services to our members as we are always focusing on continuous improvement.
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On behalf of all of us at CMSolutions including our dedicated Board, Management, and the team we would like to wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas period and a Happy New Year.
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In closing a sincere thank you for your continued membership and we look forward to providing information and support and guidance in 2022.
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CMSolutions: Your trusted partner, providing the safety net in the tough times and peace of mind at all times.
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Your Opinion Matters
Take our Annual 3 minute survey
and be in with a chance to win a
$200 Coles voucher!
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Christmas Public Holidays
The following are the declared public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period 2021 - 2022
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Friday, 24th December 2021 from 6pm is classed as a public holiday
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Saturday, 25th December 2021 - Christmas Day
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Sunday, 26th December 2021 - Boxing Day
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Monday, 27th December 2021 - Christmas Day Public Holiday
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Tuesday, 28th December 2021 - Boxing Day Public Holiday
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Saturday, 1st January 2022 - New Years Day
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Monday, 3rd January 2022 - New Years Day Public Holiday
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Why Timesheets should be completed
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Community Management Solutions is regularly asked about the requirements for employees to complete timesheets and why they should be completed. Find out more information HERE
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CMSolutions staff Member Profile - Trisha
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Trisha started with CMSolutions back in July 2018 as our Receptionist and Admin Support. She has recently taken over as Membership Co-Ordinator and joined our Marketing team. She is the friendly Irish voice at the end of your phones.
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Helping our staff in all areas of the organisation, while ensuring all members are being assisted. Trisha enjoys baking (previous Newsletter recipe, White Chocolate & Mango Cheesecake, was a big hit in the office), being outdoors, travelling and playing GAA for one of Brisbane's Irish Football Teams.
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DGRs need to register as a charity
The ATO has advised that the tax law has been amended so that from 14 December 2021 all non-government deductible gift recipients (DGRs) will need to register as a charity. (This amendment does not apply to ancillary funds or DGRs specifically listed in tax law.) Accordingly, it states if a DGR is not already a registered charity, it will need to take steps to register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. It further advises that transitional arrangements (between 12 months and 3 years) are available to provide additional time to meet the new requirements.
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The ATO is responsible for registering deductible gift recipient (DGR) funds and the new requirement is for non-government DGR’s to be a registered a charity that involves the ACNC. This new charity registration requirement does not apply to state schools or Qld P&C associations as they are government entities. (Source P&C QLD)
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Find out more information HERE
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Recruitment Mistakes Part 1 - Kevin Prendergast, CEO
Recruitment is one of the most underappreciated activities within Human Resources and probably the most misunderstood. It is very easy to make mistakes during the recruitment process however being aware of common recruitment mistakes can always assist you in obtaining the best result.
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1. Not understanding the position
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You need to ensure that you have clarity about the role that you are recruiting for, determine what the key responsibilities and inherent requirements of the role are, ensure you have a fully developed and relevant position description which accurately reflects the actual tasks expected of the person. Look at the current and future needs of the business in the form of a workplace planning exercise. Always review the role as it stands at this point of time and what is required from the role in the future, please do not depend on outdated position descriptions as more than likely the role will have substantially changed over passage of time. The job description should reflect the job advertisement and there must be consistency and not to be so detailed that there is confusion from both sides as to the actual requirements of the role. Be honest with potential candidates about the role, what the tasks actually look like on a daily basis and communicate this to the candidate.
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2. Expecting a smooth recruitment process
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A Recruitment process can certainly be structured with the preparation of documentation and clear definitive guidelines on timing and deliverables however the recruitment process must have some flexibility built into the process. This allows the unexpected to be managed appropriately as candidates cannot always fall into a particular process due to unavailability or other issues which may derail the process. Always be flexible in approach and utilize a number of recruitment methodologies to attract the most appropriate candidate. Collaboration of all interview panel members is crucial to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible so that there is no misunderstanding of due process.
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3. Failing to keep candidates informed and poor communication
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Interviewing for a role is a two-way process. The candidate is also evaluating if this is an organisation that I would like to work for. The initial impression which starts from the very first point of contact regardless of which medium is used for the initial inquiry. Treating people with respect and courtesy throughout each stage of the process is crucial in ensuring that all candidates enjoy a pleasant and professional engagement with the potential employer. Communication is the key in keeping candidates aware of the process and timelines and what the actual interview process looks like so that a candidate can be as best prepared as possible to attempt to present in the best light possible. An unsuccessful candidate should still feel that they were treated with empathy and courtesy throughout the process, as if they are not, they will be reluctant to go through the same process again with the organisation.
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4. Rejecting Overqualified Candidates
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People change roles and positions for a number of reasons other than simply career progression, some people are seeking a simpler lifestyle of looking for more work life balance or other reasons which are legitimately associated with a new career choice. Do not reject an overqualified candidate within reason due to a bias such as you may believe they will become bored with the role or not stay long. Both may be legitimate risks, but the person may also bring new experience and talents to the organisation.
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5. Waiting for the ideal Candidate
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You may have the ideal candidate in mind, the perfect person for the role which you envisage, or you may have a high performing person in a similar position, and you are looking to replicate that person. A perfect candidate who ticks all the boxes may be rare and impossible to find so you must have some measure of compromise within the process and within your expectations. Concentrate on the inherent requirements of the role from a skills, qualifications and experience perspective and also pay particular attention to cultural fit, other skills can be trained once the candidate is in place.
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Look our for Part 2 to follow in our next newsletter.
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Please remember that CMSolutions have extensive experience in all facets of recruitment, we can enable you to avoid the pitfalls and use contemporaneous best practice recruitment practices throughout each stage of the process to ensure that you get the best available candidate the first time.
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If you require assistance with any of your recruitment needs, then please contact me as below.
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kevinp@cmsolutions.org.au
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Also please register for our upcoming Recruitment Webinar early December, date to be confirmed.
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Advertisement - Industry Partner
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Stapling is here — choose to chat with your employees
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Stapling started on 1 November 2021 as part of the Your Super Your Future reforms. It’s a good chance to choose to chat with your staff.
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Employers now have an extra responsibility to ensure their employees’ super is paid to the right fund. If a new employee doesn’t actively choose their fund, you’ll need to search for their stapled fund through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
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These changes are a good opportunity to talk to your employees to help them feel confident about their financial future. If you choose to chat with your staff, we can give you all the information they’ll need.
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To talk through stapling and your super obligations with one of our Customer Relationship Managers, call 1300 133 177 to make an appointment, or visit ngssuper.com.au/CRM
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NGS Super helpline can be contacted on 1300 133 177 Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm (AEST/AEDT).
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TIPS TO GET READY FOR YOUR AUDIT!
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Find out here what our Financial Team recommends to help ensure your audit goes quickly and smoothly.
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TIPS TO GET READY FOR YOUR AUDIT!
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Find out here what our Financial Team recommends to help ensure your audit goes quickly and smoothly.
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CMSolutions would like to thank all participants who took part in our colouring competition. There were so many entries for our staff to choose from, but there can only be one winner. The staff came to the agreement that this was the winner, from one of the children from Kulila Kindergarten, in Toowoomba. Congratulations on winning a $50 Toyworld voucher.
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Handover Checklist for Outgoing Executive
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As the end of the year is fast approaching, outgoing committees should ensure that all their hard work is not lost. You can do this by making sure the handover process is performed correctly. Use our Handover Checklist to ensure all relevant information has been provided to the new executive committee.
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It is also recommended that the prospective committee member shadow the outgoing committee, attend committee meetings and work together on all tasks remaining for their term.
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If you need assistance with your handover contact the CMSolutions team.
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The canteen or tuckshop is usually your most significant business operation. Making it a profitable, viable concern can be difficult at best.
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The Guide to Canteen and Tuckshop Management has been put together by canteen expert Jocelyn Ashcroft, combining her experience of 15 plus years working with all types of canteens into this comprehensive tool.
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Covering topics such as healthy eating plans and line manager duties, this Guide helps get everything you need in place to successfully manage and run your canteen.
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The Guide has over 70 templates including:
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- Menu tips;
- Parent information sheets;
- Food wastage logs;
- Roster examples;
- Food storage guidelines.
Whether you are running a small operation staffed by volunteers or a high turnover operation, this guide is a MUST have for your business.
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Find out more by giving us a call or email info@cmsolutions.org.au
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Workplace Health & Safety Update
by Consultant Brian Abrahams
"Since commencing with CMSolutions as the Workplace Health & Safety Consultant I have been kept busy providing WH&S audits for a number of childcare and kindergarten facilities.
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Some of the issues that seem to be present in a few places, are issues with electrical safety in administration office areas, smoke detectors, and fire safety concerns, material safety data sheets for cleaning chemicals, and safety issues in playground areas.
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From a safety and duty of care perspective it is essential to address these issues before they become the cause for a dangerous event, that could cause harm to the ones that we are assigned to protect.
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The aim of regular WH&S audits is to recognize the safety issues, and to provide professional recommendations to correct the problems and remove any potential hazards.
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If the centre where you are currently working has not had a WH&S audit within the previous 12 months, there might be issues that are currently overlooked that require some attention to prevent the occurrence of a future serious incident.
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Please contact us at Community Management Solutions to discuss or arrange a WH&S audit in the near future."
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B.Beh. Sc. Grad Dip OH&S, MHumServ.
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Check out what's involved in a WH&S Audit HERE
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We are currently offering a 10% discount for WHS Audits for the Month of December
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Advertisement - Industry Partner
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CMSolutions Testimonial from our member -
Bald Hill State School P&C Association
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"Following your recommendation, I then went ahead with the application and attached the 4 2020 amended BAS statements as well as our audited financials from 2020 to show our turnover. I’m please to report that after submitting that application last Tuesday, we received an email Monday to say we were successful and the money was in the account by that evening. Thank you again for all of your help, I wouldn’t have been able to complete that application without it!!"
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What does HR recommend ensuring you have for a ‘Very Merry Christmas Party’?
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It is important for all employers to ensure that their requirements in relation to safe and appropriate behaviour at the Christmas functions are communicated to all employees at the earliest opportunity. Find out what the employers Work Health and Safety Duties are HERE
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Article from one of our industry partners
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How to Get on Top of Unpaid Accounts
CMSolutions research shows that being paid late, or not at all, is one of the largest factors causing cash-flow stress to childcare centres. The last 18 months have seen several COVID support incentives for both families and childcare centre operators, however current challenges in the economy are still having a flow on effect to households.
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Read the full article by Optimum HERE
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2022 Membership
It's that time of year again, don't forget to keep an eye out for our 2022 Membership Renewals. Please get in contact if you have to make any changes to your Membership or would like more information. When paying through the bank please quote your invoice number.
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You can download our 2022 Membership Renewal form HERE
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Leave Calculations - Get in Early!
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Are you in need of assistance working out your annual leave calculations for the forthcoming Christmas and summer vacation period? Contact one of our Employment Relations Advisors to assist you, remember to get in early as it is a very busy time of year.
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Update your committee details here
to ensure you don't miss our correspondence
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CMSolutions are advocates for Mental Health and have partnered with Acacia EAP to ensure our members can access a service to support their staff.
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| For more information, call 1300 364 273 and mention you are a CMSolutions Member. |
| Other Resources Available: |
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