Preparing tomorrow’s community leaders
YOUNG adults interested in taking a future leadership role within the Sydney Jewish community won’t want to miss out on JCA’s Observership Program.
Back for its second year after a successful first run, the program gives successful applicants the opportunity to sit on the board of a participating organisation as an observer for one year and learn the roles and responsibilities of board members.
The program also includes workshops on corporate governance, finance and other related areas.
Program founder Jonathan Gavshon approached JCA with the idea after participating in a program at an equivalent organisation in New York.
“It’s all about leadership development and engaging young professionals to try and get involved in not-for-profit organisations in a meaningful role,” he told The AJN.
The program’s first incarnation saw 28 participants spend time on the boards of both Jewish community and external organisations including Kesser Torah College, Wolper Jewish Hospital, COA Sydney, The Shalom Institute, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and JewishCare.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, one calling it “an inspirational learning experience” that provided “invaluable opportunities to interact”, and another saying “the discussions, debates, ideas and insights have been a real eye opener”.
Gavshon said that with new boards joining the program in addition to those that have agreed to continue, this year’s program is looking promising again.
He said the program would appeal to anyone wanting to get involved in the community or even further their own development.
“It’s [for] people that on their professional side want to develop their career and possibly look at being on boards of corporates long term,” he said.
“And I think it’s [for] people that, again, are just passionate about the community.”
He said successful applicants to the program will benefit from extensive networking opportunities with each other and with guest speakers, in addition to the experience of sitting on the boards.
And of course the Sydney Jewish community benefits too.
“The community benefits because they get a pool of applicants that for one reason or another, haven’t got involved to date, and this is a way to bring that pool of people in,” he said.
“I think it’s great in terms of succession planning, in terms of rejuvenating some of the boards with younger and energetic people.”
For more information email alain@jca.org.au or call (02) 9360 2344.
GARETH NARUNSKY
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