Thankfully, far from floundering in the face of change, MOSS is prospering!
In September, our auditor, Caroline James of Sean Denham & Associates, our auditor reached out to express her delight with the changes she has observed at MOSS over the past year. She mentioned the increase in revenue, the evolution in the workplace culture, and the move to “granular” accounting so that we now know which of our activities are making or losing money.
She also welcomed the various plans to save money, such as the car fleet purchase proposal. She was particularly pleased with our partnership arrangements, and that MOSS has received and is seeking more grants. She was also very pleased by the way MOSS is dealing with the special difficulties presented to us by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although COVID-19 is one of the biggest challenges any of us is likely to face in our professional work, we’re delighted to say the MOSS Management and staff have responded magnificently. Not only have we continued to work remotely using modern communication technology, but in many cases, we are now working more efficiently and effectively. Moreover, the pandemic has presented MOSS with many opportunities to expand our operations.
Having entered into a six week COVID-19 After-hours Health Concierge Service contract with DHHS, we now have an ongoing partnership arrangement with Your Community Health to deliver services. Additionally, we have brokered further partnership arrangements with Your Community Health to deliver COVID related services to disadvantaged public-housing tenants and individuals living in Supported Residential Services accommodation.
The Board is impressed by the big effort that staff have clearly made to meet the increased demand for MOSS services during the pandemic. It is not easy working in COVID-19 times, yet everyone has really stepped up to push MOSS to the fore among service providers in our field.
This year, the Board welcomed a new member of the Management Team, Lorraine Walker, our new Business Manager. Lorraine has been working on our financial systems and has developed a new financial report format that has met with universal approval. A new human resource management project is scheduled to start in January 2021.
MOSS also engaged George Liberopoulos as our Business Development Manager in June. George has been working on the overhaul of our Website platform and our Reward and Recognition program, in addition to the redevelopment of our strategic plan. The new payroll system has gone live and website planning is underway with an expected donation portal ready to hit the website soon.
Lorraine and George have also been working with Rita Lawrence (General Manager) to develop grants and partnership opportunities. Among these is one with Darebin Council seeking additional brokerage monies grant for the Darebin Assertive Community Outreach (DACO) program.
Throughout 2020 and into 2021 we’re proud to say that MOSS has remained dedicated to offering essential and consistent services. We’re humbled to continue to be part of the Melbourne community and offer our assistance to those experiencing transitional life stages and homelessness.
Written by Stephen Gagen
Chairperson, MOSS
