Community engagement is one of the many ways staff live ACU’s Mission. In 2017, the myVoice survey identified that many staff members felt they needed more support to achieve their community engagement goals.
Community engagement is one of the many ways staff live ACU’s Mission. In 2017, the myVoice survey identified that many staff members felt they needed more support to achieve their community engagement goals.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Sandra Jones said the myVoice results were the start of further conversations and research to understand what kind of support staff needed.
Professor Jones said the launch of the Community Engagement Time Release Policy is one of the key ways ACU is providing more support for staff community engagement.
The policy allows staff to apply for up to five days each year to participate in approved community engagement activities.
“The time release policy has made it clear that the University actively supports staff community engagement,” Professor Jones said.
“In a practical sense, it has made it easier for staff to participate in community engagement activities in a way that is also valuable for our community partners.”
ACU Engagement has worked closely with community partners to identify their needs and provide opportunities for staff to get involved in a meaningful way.
ACU Engagement has also worked to raise awareness of community engagement opportunities through promotion in the Staff Bulletin, on Workplace and on the ACU website.
New staff members now learn about community engagement opportunities at ACU as part of induction and there is a community engagement presence on each campus to provide support to staff.
Together with the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, ACU Engagement has also developed a set of community engagement principles, to help staff understand more about what drives ACU’s community engagement.
ACU Engagement is also in the process of developing resources to help staff prepare for and reflect on community engagement.
Professor Jones encouraged all ACU staff to take part in the 2019 myVoice survey.
“It’s our opportunity to get a sense of what the whole University is thinking. That’s why it’s so important for staff to give honest feedback,” Professor Jones said.
Visit the Service Central knowledgebase for myVoice FAQs or email myvoice@acu.edu.au with other questions.
Visit Service Central to access Corporate Services.