- Cooking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Outdoor Recreation
- Outrigger Canoe Sport
- Music/Singing
- Road Trips
- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
Jenny Allan
Sydney,NSW
Summary
KEY professional SKILLS SET Program and Project Management (Youth Informal Education & Volunteering) Community Engagement Team leadership and development (coaching remote teams) Volunteer Program Management (10+ years) - Development/Training/ Reporting/ Recruitment/ Retention / Strategy/Advisory Membership Management (Youth Association) Professional writing and service marketing education and experience Relationship and Partnership Management Presenting and public speaking Event Management and Production (18 years) Fundraising and grant administration Policy and procedure writing and implementation
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
NSW State Lead
Edmund Rice Community Services
04.2023 - Current
- The operations lead responsible for whole NSW operation of child and youth day programs and residential weekend and week-long therapeutic recreational camps supporting children who have faced significant disadvantage or trauma, many of whom are in out-of-home care or refugee backgrounds.
- Responsible for annual budgeting process and operational plan to align with national strategy with ongoing budget and financial management.
- Proactive team member in annual strategic planning meetings and workshops contributing to national plan.
- Including two direct reports, Program Officer and Case Worker, and a volunteer workforce of more than 150 active young camp leaders who delivered all program activities plus engagement with over 1200 volunteer camp leader alumni, participant alumni and supporters who support through fundraising and short-term volunteering.
- Managed and acquitted DHA federal grant post award, for $700k over three years, for Settlement Services supporting new migrant and refugee children, youth and families in the first five years of their settlement journey.
- Integrated activity plan into existing child and youth programs alongside developing a new case work support program providing families with assistance around social services and community connection.
- Managed and acquitted DCJ grant-funded ($39k) teen leadership outdoor adventure camp program involving both in-person camp programs and online youth forums, providing teens the opportunity to engage in the program planning together with young adult volunteer leaders.
- Delivered and acquitted on multiple small grant programs valued at over $50k collectively.
- Created new fundraising strategy and new events, resulting in heightened volunteer and supporter engagement and raising more than $30k in 8 months.
- Rebuilt base of older teen and young adult volunteer mentors following post-COVID decline.
- Developed first Volunteer Recognition Program, including both internal peer and staff-voted awards, plus annual nominations to the NSW State Volunteering Awards for more than 100 volunteers each year.
- Worked collaboratively with staff and young volunteer camp leaders to develop best practice approaches to volunteer and child participant wellbeing including a more robust approach to down-time and breaks and individual check-in's during programs.
- Initiated program to engage carer/parents of young participants providing much needed feedback and evaluation data on successful program outcomes for children in their care who attended camp programs over time.
Event Manager
Centenary Institute
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: Medical research institute.
- Supporting the Marketing & Philanthropy team at this medical research institute.
- End-to-end delivery of a community engagement booth for the Centenary Institute's Centre for Healthy Ageing at the NSW Seniors Festival Expo 2-day event.
- Included liaison with NSW government event organisers, exhibition suppliers and internal Centenary Institute staff.
- Researched best technology options for gaining sign-up's to their healthy ageing program.
- Delivered detailed event briefing documents for both internal staff attending the event and for Prof Andy Philip who presented on the Centre's research and finding on stage both days.
- Completed post-event data clean and giveaway mailout to approx. 400 new participants and future supporters of medical research programs focused on age-related disease.
- Organised book launch event for ‘The Good Gut Anti-Inflammatory Diet' book by Prof Phil Hansbro at Dymocks George St.
- Built invitee list of more than 650 contacts of the professional scientific community, donors, staff and friends and colleagues of author and contributors.
- Drafted EDM and mail invitations and collaborated with the marketing team on email scheduling for invitations and reminders, resulting in approx. 100 attendees.
- Researched possible event hosts and found Sophie Scott, ABC's Medical Reporter to host interview with the author.
- Medical research institute.
Membership Manager
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
02.2019 - 07.2022
- Company Overview: An all-girl, grassroots, member-based youth organisation.
- Reporting directly to the CEO and with 5-8 direct reports, this role was responsible for the growth, development, and membership experience of both youth members (and their families) and adult volunteer members through strategy, engagement innovation, relationship management, communications, and research/analysis.
- Responsible for providing support and resources for 2000+ volunteer leaders, including training and compliance information and program resources.
- Monthly statistics reporting and project status updates were required for the board and various committees' information and review.
- Close collaboration with the CEO, lead volunteers, state commissioner, Marketing Manager, Finance Manager, HR Manager, and Properties Manager regarding developing key strategic projects designed to meet the organisational strategic goals.
- Collaborator in pivoting and upgrading communication with families from different geographic areas across three states/territories and varying socio/economic backgrounds and provided participation and connection opportunities during 2 years of uncertainty and COVID restrictions.
- Reviewed and introduced improved volunteer recruitment and onboarding practices and processes resulting in 3 times the number of volunteer enquiries compared to previous years.
- Successfully provided consistent volunteer community engagement, resulting in strong retention of over 2000 volunteers and 4500 youth members across three states during two years of COVID lockdowns.
- Successfully implemented and hosted a live monthly online collaboration and training program for volunteer District Managers across three states/territories resulting in improved awareness and connection between paid team members and volunteers as well as effective information sharing supporting important processes and complaint requirements.
- Successfully introduced and delivered the organisation's first mental health program for volunteers in partnership with the Black Dog Institute.
- Instrumental in staff restructure and built an effective Membership team including a Volunteer Development Manager, 4 Community Development Officers (Darwin, Wagga Wagga, Sydney) Membership Services Officer, and a Member Services Assistant to improve member and volunteer retention, recruitment, and development.
- Oversaw the research, development, and delivery of the first ‘Guides in Schools' pilot, and then ongoing, program for the organisation and adapted the rollout through COVID lockdowns to still deliver the program on time.
- Successfully applied and gained provider status for Girl Guides NSW with the NSW Government Creative Kids Voucher program and maintained provider requirements for the NSW Active Kids Voucher and NT Sports Voucher government programs.
- Won a place for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT on the NSW Volunteering Taskforce through a successful written application.
- An all-girl, grassroots, member-based youth organisation.
Manager, Volunteering
The Benevolent Society
11.2016 - 12.2018
- Company Overview: Supports families and children at a disadvantage or in distress.
- The role was a green fields ‘business-partner-style' role focused on Volunteering Strategy and Development.
- Built the role and the Volunteering Programs Management Framework from a zero-starting point.
- Led, developed, and supported up to 8 dotted-line direct reports consisting of volunteer coordinators, program coordinators, and their managers in all aspects of programs and individual volunteer recruitment, management, and acknowledgment.
- Established monthly meetings with the group and one on one coaching meetings as needed.
- Provided first-ever statistics reporting on the state and contribution of volunteers at TBS presented to the Executive and Board.
- Delivered the first organization-wide (1000 staff & 500 volunteers) celebration of volunteers in National Volunteers Week linking three states and 10 sites via live video.
- Established the first Skilled Volunteer Program seeing 20 highly skilled volunteers placed within the HR, Administration, Advocacy and Research, Government Relations, Volunteer Management, Contracts and Legal, Marketing, and Accounting Teams.
- Supports families and children at a disadvantage or in distress.
National Volunteer Programs Manager
Redkite
05.2012 - 10.2016
- Company Overview: Supports families dealing with childhood cancer.
- Wrote organisational volunteer policy & set up supporting administration, insurance & best practice guidelines & manuals for volunteer management from scratch.
- Develop, maintain and manage engagement with 1500 strong volunteer workforce.
- Recruit, manage, retain & acknowledge volunteers involved with Redkite offices, skilled projects, fundraising events, and one hospital-based program (NSW, VIC, WA, QLD).
- Internally promote the value of volunteers to departmental managers in skilled volunteer roles to assist with administrative & strategic tasks & projects.
- Train and empower staff in volunteer management and best practice.
- Development of detailed volunteering statistics and social impact (return on investment) reports.
- Produced statistics and volunteer stories for the Annual Review document for the first time, creating a higher profile for volunteers in the organisation.
- Started the first National Volunteer Newsletter.
- Utilise Salesforce CRM system to update and collate volunteer-related data.
- Supports families dealing with childhood cancer.
Relationship Manager-The Kennedy Awards
Redkite
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Redkite representative for new charity partnership with The Kennedy Awards for Excellence in NSW Journalism organizing committee.
- Included delivering on return-on-investment opportunities such as collecting logos & images, product & promotional material from donors & sponsors for printed collateral, online promos & on big screens during the event to inspire guests to support.
- Together with organisers, raised $175k for the event incl $70k for charity.
Career Break for retraining / travel / running own business
04.2009 - 04.2012
- During this period took a career break to run own business as a part-time Life Coach/Holistic Counsellor and explore other career paths related to working with children.
- Teachers Aide in Early Childhood Centres and Pre-schools in eastern suburbs of Sydney.
- Story Yoga Facilitator for Hey Dee Ho Music running movement and self-soothing programs for pre-school age children using story-telling and songs with yoga poses.
- Ran own business ‘Your True North Coaching & Healing ' in the inner west and eastern suburbs of Sydney seeing 100+ clients.
Event Manager – Polo in The Park
The Truffle Group
11.2007 - 11.2009
- Contract role – Polo in Centennial Park (Bombardier Leer Jet).
- Responsible for staffing, equipment, logistics management & catering coordination for 30 suites, sales, sponsor hospitality tent & all infrastructure – kitchen marquees, generators, refrigeration, site transport, etc. – a successful profitable high-end event with one month's notice on a part-time contract.
- Contracted again for the same event in 2009.
Program Manager (NSW /QLD)
Life Be in It Funworks
09.2006 - 05.2009
- Manager of outdoor games and activity programs designed to encourage children up to adults to enjoy being active through non-competitive equipment-based games/activities.
- Responsible for handling enquiries and administration and the promotion of programs.
- Coordination of rosters for up to 12 casual staff activity leaders at multiple locations.
- Responsible for games and activity equipment to ensure maintenance and safety.
- Instruct and teach educational games with small and large groups of people from toddlers to adults, including those with disabilities.
- Responsible for set-up and supervision of the use of ‘Life Games' equipment, adhering to safety precautions for school programs, open days, promotional events, and carnivals.
Major Event (World Youth Day) Volunteers Co-ordinator
St John Ambulance
05.2008 - 07.2008
- Contract role for World Youth Day involvement 2008.
- Coordinated 6 day social & welfare program for 600 volunteer first aid workers during a major international public event.
- Responsible for coordination and management of university accommodation & meals for volunteers & assisted with recruitment.
- Management of volunteer transport for rostered volunteers to high-security venues across the city.
- Liaison with government & police departments to ensure all security & disaster planning procedures were adhered to.
Relay For Life Event & Fundraising Manager
Cancer Council NSW
12.2005 - 11.2007
- Company Overview: NSW Metropolitan Events Unit.
- Coordinated 3 x major overnight (24-hour) community-based fundraising events for up to 600 participants each.
- Recruited, mentored & acknowledged three volunteer committees who ran the events.
- Supported committees with gaining sponsor & in-kind support from local businesses and training in sponsors ‘return on investment communications.
- Produced the first-ever youth event for the Cancer Council with a student committee.
- Public speaking at community events delivering health & hope messages to public audiences of up to 600.
- Responsible for driving local media to support events through press releases & sponsored advertising.
- NSW Metropolitan Events Unit.
Event Production & Sales Manager
The Truffle Group
05.2002 - 06.2006
- Company Overview: High-end catering & special event company for multiple venues.
- Managed client accounts including Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony & many corporate & entertainment industry organisations as well as supplier relationships.
- Responsible for running major events for up to 10,000 guests including hospitality at arts & sporting events, conferences & weddings.
- Recruited, trained & managed & empowered event managers & administrative staff to handle all enquiries & sales & produce up to 600 individual events per year (up to 10 direct reports).
- Theming, catering logistics, staff recruitment & training, sales & marketing.
- Responsible for writing, submitting & winning multiple industry awards for the company in The NSW & Australian Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence in the Best Venue & Major Event Categories.
- Major events logistics a specialty.
- Confident with AutoCAD & basic graphics software.
- Responsible for working with IT contractors to introduce and set up the back end of the CRM system EBMS (Event Business Management System) and writing all staff process notes and manuals for staff for end-to-end event management.
- High-end catering & special event company for multiple venues.
Events Manager & Account Executive
Art Gallery NSW
11.2000 - 04.2002
Education
Statement of Attainment - Suicide Prevention
TAFE Western Sydney
01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism, Public Relations Major, Service Marketing
University of Canberra
01.1995
Associate Diploma of Business - Hospitality
Canberra Institute of Technology
Canberra, ACT01.1992
Skills
- Program and Project Management
- Community Engagement
- Team leadership and development
- Volunteer Program Management
- Membership Management
- Professional writing
- Service marketing
- Relationship and Partnership Management
- Presenting
- Public speaking
- Event Management and Production
- Fundraising
- Grant administration
- Policy writing
- Procedure writing
- Implementation
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
- Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
- Achieved [Result] by introducing [Software] for [Type] tasks.
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
Certification
- [Area of certification], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
- [Area of certification] Training - [Timeframe]
- Certified [Job Title], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
- Licensed [Job Title] - [Timeframe]
Interests
Professional Development
- Volunteering Australia Visioning Workshop, Sydney, 2022-09-01
- NSW Office of Children's Guardian Child Safe Standards – Consultation, 2022-06-01
- NSW State of Volunteering Report Advisory Committee Member, 2021-01-01
- Beaumont LEAD Mentoring Program (Mentee), 2021-01-01
- Workplace Law Considerations – Managing Volunteers & Returning to Work post-COVID-19 Workshop, 2020-05-01
- Centre for Social Purpose Volunteer Engagement & Retention Roundtable, 2020-04-01
- Legal Issues for Volunteer Involvement, 2018-09-01
- Incidental Counselor Facilitator Training, 2018-07-01
- Instructors at Work Presenter Training, 2017-08-01
- 2016 National Volunteering Conference, 2016-04-01
- Sydney Volunteer Managers Network Meeting, multiple dates
- Designing the future of volunteering engagement, 2016-08-01
- How to make the most of International Trends in Volunteering, 2016-03-01
- Making the case for volunteer involvement: Calculating return on investment, 2016-01-01
- Innovation in volunteer programs delivery, 2015-11-01
- Inspiring and leading an unpaid workforce, 2015-06-01
Technological Skills
- IMIS Database Software (CRM/Membership Management)
- ASANA Project Management Software
- Office 365 Suite
- Chris 21 - HR CRM Software
- Salesforce CRM Software
- SEDB – Special Events Data Base – contact management system
- EBMS – Event Business Management System (Advanced User)
- Microsoft VISIO – Scale Site Plan/ Floor Plan / Graphics Program
- Microsoft Windows Vista - Office – Advanced Word & Excel/ Competent PowerPoint
- Apple Mac competent. Windows for Mac
Hobbies and Interests
- Lifelong outdoors, sporting and camping enthusiast
- Supporting people to reach their potential, personal development, mindfulness, natural therapies, life coaching (own business)
- Time connecting with family & friends
- Singing and performing in bands, outrigger canoe (club racing), Live Music
Timeline
NSW State Lead
Edmund Rice Community Services
04.2023 - Current
Event Manager
Centenary Institute
10.2022 - 03.2023
Membership Manager
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
02.2019 - 07.2022
Manager, Volunteering
The Benevolent Society
11.2016 - 12.2018
Relationship Manager-The Kennedy Awards
Redkite
08.2013 - 08.2014
National Volunteer Programs Manager
Redkite
05.2012 - 10.2016
Career Break for retraining / travel / running own business
04.2009 - 04.2012
Major Event (World Youth Day) Volunteers Co-ordinator
St John Ambulance
05.2008 - 07.2008
Event Manager – Polo in The Park
The Truffle Group
11.2007 - 11.2009
Program Manager (NSW /QLD)
Life Be in It Funworks
09.2006 - 05.2009
Relay For Life Event & Fundraising Manager
Cancer Council NSW
12.2005 - 11.2007
Event Production & Sales Manager
The Truffle Group
05.2002 - 06.2006
Events Manager & Account Executive
Art Gallery NSW
11.2000 - 04.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism, Public Relations Major, Service Marketing
University of Canberra
Associate Diploma of Business - Hospitality
Canberra Institute of Technology
Statement of Attainment - Suicide Prevention
TAFE Western Sydney