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| Michelle Imison
Drummoyne, Australia
Age: 30-39 |
Nominated as:
Nominated by: |
Member
Australian Federation of Graduate Women |
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| Professional
Field and/or present occupation |
Research student in Public Health. |
Experienc in developing and assessing project proposals, and in, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects: |
Both formal and informal work on the Special Committee for Project Development (2005 -). In my initial, informal work (to assist Shirley Randell, then Convenor of the Committee), I read and commented on every project proposal (around 20-30 in number). Shirley would answer my questions - many of which, I soon realised, revolved around the same concerns (particularly perceptions of transparency, sustainability and how realistic the budget was); this was how I learned about assessing project proposals. She would then write, I would read and we would discuss her final decisions, which demonstrated for me how our discussions and feelings on each project coalesced into a decision.
Now I find it easy to look at a proposal and pick out potential difficulties and questions. I work on the assumption that every project is genuine and emerges from a deeply-felt need; sometimes those needs and that passion are not as well-communicated as they could be, but some incisive questions can usually elicit additional information as required.
I welcome the new project assessment system implemented for the Committee in the last year. There were some teething problems - not everyone's internet is as reliable as mine, I realise, and this led to some unfortunate delays in being able to communicate our thoughts on the projects we had been assigned. However, this system has certainly made the M&E process easier and, I believe, is more effective in holding NFAs to account for what money is spent, how and to what effect. |
Other skills and experience (volunteer and professional) from the last 10 years which qualify you for this position |
I have spent time working in the field (two stints in Bangladesh: 2004-5 and 2007) and travelling in developing countries. Although every nation faces different challenges and has different opportunities, some of the difficulties in developing countries are broadly the same everywhere - among them, systemic inefficiencies, lack of services/infrastructure and a narrowing of social opportunities. Having a first-hand experience of these challenges is invaluable when reading and assessing project proposals; it allows me to understand, for instance, why an NFA might be requesting so much money for transport (because public transport does not exist and roads are so bad that a four-wheel drive vehicle is required to travel to a project site).
I have served on and run several committees during my time as a student and since, and I now serve on a Board (that of Oxfam Australia). I understand what is required to work together and the fact that, when work is delegated, everyone must do their part. I have also spent significant periods of my working life (during the last ten years and prior) in research; I am adept at winnowing out the most relevant information and locating extra data if required. |
| Goals for this position and the contribution you believe you can personally make if elected or appointed |
GOALS
- To see that the largest possible number of projects developed by NFAs to meet the needs of local women is supported, financed and successfully implemented.
- To assess all projects submitted in a manner that either ensures they can be immediately funded or funded after clarification/modification, or that the NFA is made aware of the deficiencies in their proposal such that their skills in communicating their ideas are strengthened. I would like to see us work more with NFAs to develop their project-writing skills so that they can develop projects and apply for funding more successfully through both the Committee and other relevant bodies.
CONTRIBUTIONS
- I work carefully and with attention to detail, and believe I ask useful questions that cut to the heart of a problem or a matter requiring clarification. (When I saw last year's 'collective' comments on each of the BRPID project submissions, I noted many phrases and queries I had written among the responses. This demonstrated to me that others also believe my contributions to be of value.)
- I write well, enjoy doing so, and can write for various formats (formal documents, simpler explanations to an interested audience otherwise ignorant of a particular topic, etc). |
How would you assist in promoting sponsorship for and donations to the BRPID? |
I am fortunate to have a network of friends and colleagues who have been keenly interested in my development work; I have written extensively during my time in the field and have been most gratified by the extent to which my thoughts have been read and absorbed. These friends and I are very well connected; I believe it may be possible to 'market' BRPID to them and their networks such as to both fundraise for BRPID and to raise awareness of the kinds of global issues and difficulties for women that make NFAs' projects necessary in the first place.
I am passionate about the work that NFAs propose to do - and then do - in the course of their projects and impressed at (relatively) how little money is required in particular contexts to make real differences. Many socially-aware people in developed countries genuinely want to 'do something' to 'make a difference' but lack an outlet through which to do so. One where, as with BRPID, there is a personal connection (through me, to the implementing NFAs) both assures that the money is well accounted-for and makes the projects more 'real' - likely to be very attractive prospects for this kind of audience. |
| Education: |
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (double major in French and Gender Studies): 1999 (University of Sydney)
- Masters of International Public Health (MIPH): 2007 (University of Sydney)
- PhD (Public Health): currently in progress (University of Sydney)
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| Mother
tongue: |
English |
| Ability
to speak English: |
Excellent |
| Ability
to understand spoken English: |
Excellent |
| Ability
to read English: |
Excellent |
| Ability
to write English: |
Excellent |
| Other
languages: |
French (near-fluency)
Italian (some)
Spanish (currently learning) |
| Computer
skills: |
Considerable experience sending e-mail and using
the Internet |
| Internet
Access: |
Regular access to e-mail at home or the office |
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