What is Together Townsville?

Background

Historically, council has sought sponsorship from organisations for various events or projects. This approach to sponsorship was deemed ad-hoc and a one-way relationship. It was simply a passive handover of money from the sponsor to council, with short term brand value-recognition. There has been a shift in corporate sponsorship from simply giving, to a more active involvement and mature partnerships. Many organisations are looking for ways of not just giving, but adding value through the investment of their time, personnel, and resources. People, communities, governments, and businesses increasingly want to make a difference and also to be seen to be making a difference.

Council wants to make a difference at a local level; hence the establishment of Together Townsville. This partnership program promotes mutually beneficial collaborations between businesses and the community, as well as engagement at an individual level. It will provide more efficient and long-term solutions to community issues and build greater social cohesion.

The Centre for Corporate Public Affairs, in conjunction with the Business Council of Australia, released a document entitled ‘Corporate Community Involvement - Establishing a Business Case’. The paper is a study of the views of 115 large organisations regarding current attitudes and commitment to community - 75% support community involvement as a link to business sustainability. This research has strongly contributed to the formation of the Together Townsville program. In addition, at a 2004 Communities in Control conference, it was stated that "corporate responsibility and community capacity building is so compelling that it will soon be accepted as a new kind of norm in business life. Certainly, a company's level of corporate responsibility is emerging as a significant indicator of its overall health as a business, as well as a major factor considered by potential investors."

Together Townsville will essentially develop and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships in the sponsorship of community initiatives. Council therefore invites businesses, community groups, and our residents to participate and support the Together Townsville program.

Aims

Together Townsville will build long term and strategic partnerships with corporate and community organisations for the sponsorships of community projects.

Objectives

• To enter into partnerships with organisations that support Together Townsville's values, objectives, and vision for the City of Townsville
• To have a transparent and coordinated approach in the management of sponsorships
• To ensure the successful delivery and management of the initiatives through active engagement from all key stakeholders
• To better manage resources in the delivery of community initiatives
• To lessen the financial burden on ratepayers in achieving community initiatives
• To improve relationships with all tiers of the community
• To improve networks
• To ensure that the initiatives are relevant and meet community needs, and
• To engage the wider community in planning and project implementation.

Benefits

Townsville City is growing at a rapid rate and community expectations continue to grow. Together Townsville will assist in meeting these community expectations and delivering services that will further enhance our lifestyle.

It is anticipated that the Together Townsville partnerships will benefit our City and its businesses and residents in the following manner:

• Strengthen ties with the community
• Improve networks
• Share knowledge, skills, and resources
• Address issues of mutual interest
• Minimise impact on ratepayers
• Give back to the community
• Leverage from the values associated with a strong city
• Provide visible demonstration of commitment to sustainability values and quadruple bottom line ethics
• Allow pooling of resources to fund more significant projects or events
• Can assist in enhancing partners' reputation for being a leading corporate organisation and citizen
• Help partners to become an employer of choice - socially responsible organisation and thus more attractive to prospective employees
• Provide tangible return to partners through appropriate recognitions
• Deliver good community initiatives, helping to sustain our city's lifestyle.

When Council, local businesses, and community groups combine resources, the result is better programs, events, and facilities for our community.

Please contact the Together Townsville Corporate Project Officer to find out more.

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