Leaders for Geelong Program Vital Information 

Key Contacts & Contact Details 

Karen and Lauren are your key points of contact for the Leaders for Geelong Program and are available via the details provided in the letter above.  

• Please contact Karen MacAdie regarding any questions related to program administration and coordination, or the State and Federal Parliament visits.  

• Please contact Lauren Carnegie regarding questions related to the overall design of the program, your community projects, or if you require additional support during the program.  

If your details change at any point during the Leaders for Geelong Program, please advise Karen as soon as possible.

Key Dates, Communication & Attendance 

The Key Dates for 2025 can be accessed via the following link.  Please note that while dates, times and session names are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change. You will receive updated calendar invitations when changes are made. It is your responsibility to add invitations to your calendar and update them when you receive notification of changes. If there is an option to ‘send a response’ to notify us of your attendance, please do so. 

It is a requirement to attend at least 80% of the program, as less than this will impact your learning experience. Please note that attendance at Masterclasses is optional. We understand that unforeseen circumstances such as illness, planned leave or other commitments may impact your attendance. If you are unable to attend a session, please notify Karen via email as soon as possible.  

Agendas for each event will be sent to participants in advance. These agendas will include essential details such as the date, time, location and dress code, along with the session’s purpose, any required pre-work or reading, the session’s schedule, and biographies of any guest speakers involved.   

Fees and Additional Costs  

The full participant fee of $9,900 incl GST for Corporate and Government participants, or $7,040 incl GST for small not-for-profits and self-funded participants, is payable prior to the commencement of the Program by the sponsoring employer or self-funded participant, unless other arrangements have been agreed.    

The participant fee will cover all program expenses, including all materials and catering at all in-person events of the Program, except:  

• Visit to Federal Parliament in Canberra: The Leaders for Geelong program fee will cover all standard expenses, including accommodation and meals (excluding alcoholic beverages) in Canberra. However, return flights/transport to Canberra are not included in the program fee and will need to be purchased separately at the participant's expense. 

• Use of Personal Car: Participants may incur minor costs for the personal use of their car, such as fuel, during in person activities. These costs will be the responsibility of the participant. 

How You Show Up 

When you become a Leaders for Geelong participant, you become an ambassador for the Leaders for Geelong Program, and the wider Geelong region. As such, we ask that you: 

• Be present each time we come together. This means actively connecting with participants, listening to understand, and asking thoughtful, curious questions. Contribute to group discussions by sharing your insights and experiences, and create a positive, open environment that encourages everyone to participate. 

• Take full accountability for your participation. Please arrive on time, minimise distractions (such as your mobile phone and emails), and be mindful of the energy you bring into the room (or virtual space). You will receive a name tag at all in-person events, which we ask you to wear. If you lose your name tag, a replacement can be ordered at your expense ($30). 

• Respect others and their journeys. Recognise that each participant is on their own unique path. Contribute to an inclusive environment by appreciating the strength that others’ diverse experiences and perspectives bring.  We also follow the Chatham House Rule, meaning you are free to share what you learn, but the identity of the speaker must remain confidential. 

• Be willing to challenge what you know and do. Learning can come from the most surprising places, experiences and moments. Approach each session with an open mind, ready to experiment, embrace new ideas, and explore different ways of doing things. We will also ask for your reflections and feedback on the Leaders for Geelong program at different points throughout the year.  

Privacy 

The Committee for Geelong will collect and store certain information about your participation in the Program. This is included, but not limited to your name, contact details, strengths profile data, development goals, and any written feedback provided by you during the Program. By accepting this offer, you consent to the use of this information to improve the Program and to meet reporting obligations to government bodies and other funders. We guarantee that any identifiable personal information, including your name, address and contact details, will not be shared with external parties without your consent. 

Social Media  

We encourage you to share your experiences during the Leaders for Geelong Program on social media, including posting photos, insights, and reflections, with permission from individuals in any photos or tags. Feel free to tag the Committee for Geelong and use relevant hashtags on platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your journey. By sharing your experience, you contribute to building a strong sense of community and help others learn about the impactful work being done through the Program. 

For events or activities outside the Leaders for Geelong Program, including informal gatherings following official Program events, we kindly ask that you refrain from tagging the Committee for Geelong or using Leaders for Geelong-specific hashtags. 

Health, Safety and Wellbeing 

The Committee for Geelong is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment throughout the Leaders for Geelong Program. While every effort will be made to minimise risks, please be aware that participating in the Program may involve physical activities in the community, which carry some inherent risks. In very rare cases, these risks can lead to serious injury, permanent disability, paralysis, or, in extreme circumstances, even death. 

We ask that you follow all safety procedures and instructions provided by the Committee for Geelong throughout the Program. If medical attention is needed during any Program activities, the Committee will take the necessary steps to arrange treatment, including ambulance services if required. By accepting this offer, you authorise the Committee for Geelong to take these actions on your behalf and agree to cover any associated costs. 

By accepting this offer, you also confirm that you are medically and physically fit to participate in the Program. If there are any changes to your health, physical, or mental condition that could affect your ability to participate, we kindly ask that you inform us as soon as possible. We are happy to work with you to make reasonable adjustments to help you remain fully engaged in the Program. The Committee for Geelong will rely on this declaration of your fitness throughout the Program unless you notify us of any changes. 

Program Withdrawal 

Withdrawal from the Program up until 14 days prior to commencement will be fully refundable. Requests for withdrawal after that time, and prior to the commencement of the Program, will be assessed on an individual basis. Available options may include substitution of another participant into the Program, transfer to a future Program or a partial refund of fees, depending upon the circumstances of the request. 

Once the program has commenced, substitutions, transfers and refunds may not be available. We understand that situations can change unexpectedly, and if you find yourself in a position where withdrawal is necessary, we kindly ask that you speak with Lauren to discuss your options. We are committed to supporting you during this time and will work with you to explore possible solutions. 

In exceptional cases, a participant may be asked to leave the Program if their behaviour is deemed disruptive, harmful to others, or in violation of the Leaders for Geelong Program guidelines. Any decision regarding dismissal will follow a careful review of the situation and will be considered final.