Sunday, March 1, 2009

Forming the Cluster


Central Coast Shed Cluster Incorporated (CCSC) is the natural progression of the expanding number of Community Men's Sheds on the Central Coast. A number of internal and external factors have converged to push the formation of this umbrella organisation on the Central Coast. With up to 9 Community Men's Sheds proposed to be in full operation by the end of 2009 there is a need for cooperation and liaison between the members of these sheds, the shed committees and the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA).

With a growing number of clusters incorporated around NSW and Australia it is time for the Central Coast to take its place in the growing awareness and advocacy for men that is the source of these sheds. Also, there are funding opportunities that are available from a coordinated effort that may not be available to individual sheds. Some of this funding is already being sourced by the CCSC. There is also a growing awareness that sheds have obligations to meet, not only to their members but to their communities, OH&S regulations, auspicing requirements, fiduciary obligations and men's health policy initiatives.

Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc has been formed by leading members of a number of local community sheds and men's organisations on the Central Coast to assist in coordination between sheds, source funding and form a liaison point between the community sheds of the Central Coast and various local, state and national political and service organisations.