infinitus advisory

The Switchpoint Centre?

The Centre is home to a community of people interested in learning, growth and change.

Our focus is on living in a state of well being – a healthier, happier, life.

To achieve that we believe that people need to relax, laugh and dream.

They need to live in a way that supports good health, financial security and satisfying relationships.

With the help of our volunteers, sponsors and associates we are creating something special – a community of people open to new ideas and new learning experiences.

Our Vision is to nurture a community of people creating change in their own lives, the life of their community or in their business.

What can the Switchpoint Centre do for you?

If your passion is to help others find answers to the puzzles of their everyday life and to improve their health and sense of well-being the Centre can offer you:

• low-cost venue hire on a casual or regular basis
• assistance in finding reasonably-priced insurance cover
• access to business support and training at no, or low, cost
• shared marketing opportunities
• a supportive group of like-minded people to create great ideas, events and opportunities.

Where is the Centre?

To be part of our Centre:

• Your project will help to attract people to the CBD.
• Your focus will be on wellbeing, spirituality, self-development, healthy lifestyle or personal renewal.
• Your project will show a professional approach and public demand.
• You’re ready to go now.

Participating projects need to be approved by the Switchpoint Institute, the property owner and our insurers. It can be ongoing or a one-off special event.

Infinitus has discovered the magic of Tasmania.

North West Tasmania frees the spirit but lets you nurture the flesh - wilderness, rugged coastline, clean air, great food and wine.

We spent time fishing, kayaking, bushwalking and then went home at night to enjoy chocolate, wine and whisky. We strolled the Farmers Markets, went to a festival, saw the latest movie and cooked fresh trout on the BBQ for friends.

So now, for our latest challenge, we're helping make the magic easy at Riverside Lodge, Wynyard.

The Newcastle City Centre Committee is a Committee of Council and undertakes City Centre projects on behalf of special benefit-rate payers.

The Committee’s business plan for 2009-2010 includes a number of small projects for which specialist skills may be needed on an ad-hoc basis.

Interested people are invited to lodge their details and fee expectations with the Committee.

A register of suppliers will be established from which the Committee will draw if required.

Support may be needed in the following areas:
o Place making advice and strategy
o Event management, public relations and/or graphic design
o Visual merchandising
o Development of training programs
o Writing and editing
o Coaching
o I.T support
o General Maintenance

Closing Date: July 15, 2009
By Mail: PO Box 930, Newcastle, 2300
Email: annette@infinitus.com.au
By hand: Shop 1/137 King St, Newcastle, NSW, 2300



INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

For placement on the Register of Suppliers, companies or individuals need to provide the Committee with the following information.

1. Project area for which you are lodging an Expression of Interest.
2. Company details or personal C.V. if operating as a sole trader.
3. Previous similar projects (as contractor or employee).
4. Background on key personnel – training, qualifications and experience in the nominated area of interest.
5. Names of three referees (we will not contact referees without speaking to you first).
6. An outline of fees and charges used in similar projects.


IF APPOINTED

If appointed to a project you will need to supply the following before an engagement can be formalized and work undertaken.
o Certificates of currency for the following insurances:
o workers compensation,
o public liability,
o motor vehicle, and (if relevant)
o professional indemnity insurance.

Payment will be on a 14-day basis following receipt of invoice.

Further enquiries can be made to annette@infinitus.com.au and answers will be posted on the website for general information.

Closing Date: July 15, 2009
Mail: PO Box 930, Newcastle, 2300 or by email to annette@infinitus.com.au


PROJECT SPECIFIC INFORMATION


PLACEMAKING

The City Centre Committee intends to undertake a range of place-making projects throughout the City Centre over the next two years.

Individual projects will be informed by:
o The State Government City Centre Strategy
o Past studies and consultant reports
o Council’s Public Domain Plan, Management Plan and other documents considered to be relevant
o Heritage studies.

The Committee expects to engage consultants to assist in:
o Reviewing past studies and existing reports to develop a framework for re-positioning the City Centre as a vibrant commercial and retail centre.
o Developing a concept of “place and identity” that differentiates emerging commercial zones within the City Centre area.
o Developing concepts to assist in interpreting nominated “small spaces” with high-value heritage areas within the city centre.

For budgetary reasons, it is envisaged that consultants would provide advice and direction. Infinitus staff will implement projects in partnership with Newcastle City Council.

Specific briefs for each project will be developed to meet individual project management needs and consultants will be selected for engagement based on credentials, nominated fee structure and examples provided for similar projects.

People interested in providing such services should, in addition to the information sought above, provide examples of placemaking projects they have undertaken.


EVENT MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

The City Centre Committee plans to conduct and/or provide marketing support to events that attract visitors to the City.

It may also require a range of other support services from time to time – public relations, media links, advertising and/or promotion and graphic design.

People interested in providing such services should, in addition to the information sought above, provide examples of events they have conducted and/or promoted, public relations campaigns organised and in the case of graphic design some examples from their portfolio.

Providing an hourly fee on which service charges would be based would assist the Committee together with a list of inclusions and additional charges.


VISUAL MERCHANDISING

The Committee is considering providing sponsorship to retailers and service providers to upgrade their visual merchandising and would do so by providing expert advice on an hourly basis.

People interested in being involved should provide an hourly rate for their services together with examples of previous work for clients or employees in addition to information outlined above.




DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMS, WRITING, EDITING, COACHING

The Committee is considering how it might best support growth in the business community and in particular for new businesses or businesses relocating to the City Centre.

This project is now being planned but it is envisaged that training, coaching and mentoring may form part of the support program. E-learning solutions are of considerable interest.

A substantial proportion of the work will be completed in-house but some specialty skills may be required from time to time and it is proposed to develop a skills register from which we can draw if needed.

People interested in being involved should, in addition to the information outlined above, provide:
o A short client list
o An indication of the focus of their previous experience in developing training programs or in providing coaching or mentoring services
o An outline of the scope of work they are able to undertake
o Relevant qualifications
o Three referees
o Examples of professional writing they have undertaken (if relevant).
o The basis of fees and charges.


I.T. SUPPORT

The Committee’s office, which is P.C. based and operates through VOIP and a range of web-based technologies, needs assistance from time to time when computing or web-site difficulties emerge. The capacity to assist with software, hardware and web-based problems is essential.


GENERAL MAINTENANCE
The Committee is considering providing sponsorship on a competitive-grants basis to ground floor businesses in areas nominated for place-making initiatives. Grants will be provided to assist businesses to upgrade their facades and improve the streetscape. Work may also be done in façade and pavement cleaning.

Projects will generally be small in scale and will require qualified trades people or companies with proven experience who are able to deal with heritage facades, retail presentation and environmental controls. Within reason, they may be suitable jobs for completion in quiet times. It is not envisaged that any work would be required above ground floor levels.

Contractors will be required to meet any Council requirements to ensure public safety, as most work will be on public streets.

People interested in being involved should provide, in addition to the information outlined above, an hourly rate for their services together with examples of previous work for clients or employees. Additional costs should be noted.

Closing Date: July 15, 2009

By Mail: P.O. Box 930, Newcastle, 2300

Email: annette@infinitus.com.au

By hand: Shop 1/137 King Street, Newcastle, NSW, 2300

In 2009, the National Trust will bring together a unique program of over 300 events across NSW under the theme of "Our Place in Space". In 2009, it will be 400 years since the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei turned a telescope towards the heavens. The International Year of Astronomy, a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, will mark this event. This year's Heritage Festival theme is about Australia's history and place in the numerous discoveries we have made in the world of Astronomy - one of Australia's most highly cited sciences. For information about what is happening in your city log on to www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

In December 2009 world leaders meet in Copenhagen to agree on a post-Kyoto policy for tackling climate change. One billion people voting with their light switch during Earth Hour will create a powerful mandate for our leaders to take strong and decisive action on climate change in Copenhagen.

With the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote, Vote Earth is a global call to action for every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet.
What you can do
Turning your lights off for an hour is a great start. However, there are many other things you can do to make Earth Hour 2009 a success.
· Sign Up Now. Become a part of Earth Hour and get useful tips and tools to reduce your carbon footprint everyday
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· Run your own Earth Hour. Download our quick guide for how to run Earth Hour in your city or town. It's easy!
· Your Earth Hour. What will you be doing at 8.30pm on Saturday March 28? We're keen to know what you have planned for Earth Hour 2009. If you'd like to share your plans with Earth Hour and the media, then please send us an email describing with as much detail as you can what you have planned to myearthhour@earthhour.org. Don't forget to include your name, where you live (City and Country), and your contact telephone number including your country code.
· Blogger Tool Kit: Create a blog post about the importance of global action on climate change and how participation in Earth Hour can make a difference.