Applying for a Manager Exchange
Applications for this program are open to all individual financial members of LG Professionals, NSW with a minimum of one year tenure. When open, members will be invited to apply via our website, which must be received by the closing date.
Based on each applicants’ objectives and visit expectations, the LG Professionals, NSW International Committee will review each application and select the appropriate recipients. Detailed information provided in the application is crucial to recipient selection and applicants are encouraged to supply all information requested on the application form. Applicants will be invited to an interview as part of the scholarship application process.
Pre-trip Preparation
The successful applicants will be Ambassadors for their Council, LG Professionals, NSW, local government and Australia. This implies a high responsibility.
You must be willing to commit time to the Exchange preparation and execution as well as the time in visiting another country, attending their conference, and hosting the reciprocal delegate for their Exchange. It is important that the exchange delegate is well prepared to ensure a valuable learning experience. Some recipients have found it helpful to discuss this opportunity with members who have already undertaken an exchange. We can provide contact information if required.
Program Planning
For each Exchange, the NSW delegate will liaise with the overseas manager to plan and confirm the itinerary. The NSW delegate will advise their needs and objectives so they can be included in the Exchange itinerary. It is recommended to include surrounding local authorities or those close to the conference venue as well as the hosts LGA in the itinerary.
However, it is important not to over-plan your visit – ensure sufficient leisure time and remain flexible should other last-minute opportunities arise.
Program Costs
LG Professionals, NSW will meet the cost of a return economy airfare for the recipient from their home to the hosting local authority and to the conference in the country of the exchange. LG Professionals, NSW will also provide up to $500 expense allowance to the recipient towards incidental costs associated with the exchange (reimbursed on provision of receipt).
The Exchange delegate will be responsible for ensuring they have a valid passport (with an expiry date of more than six months post the date of the Exchange) and for arranging an adequate travel medical insurance policy.
Taituara will meet registration and two night’s accommodation costs related to the recipient’s attendance at their conference. Expenses not explicitly mentioned here will be the recipient’s responsibility.
Each recipient will make their own flight and travel arrangements (working in close co-operation with LG Professionals, NSW and subject to budget approval). Any additional domestic travel relating to pre or post activity will be arranged by the Exchange recipient working in close co-operation with the Host.
The recipient will be initially responsible for all costs and will then claim the portion of expenditure from LG Professionals, NSW that is subsidised under the Exchange.
The reimbursement arrangements are:
• 70% of costs will be reimbursed to the recipient by LG Professionals, NSW at the commencement of the Manager Exchange; and
• 30% (the balance) plus any incidental costs will be reimbursed upon completion of the Exchange Report and reciprocal hosting of the incoming delegate. Should the Exchange recipient not be able to host the incoming delegate at the time of the reciprocal exchange, this portion of the reimbursement will be forfeited and used to subsidise hosting costs.
The Recipient's Responsibility as a Host
Each NSW Host is required to host the visiting Exchange Manager in their home and at their council and attend the LG Professionals, NSW Local Government Conference in Sydney. The NSW Exchange Manager is also responsible for developing an itinerary for the incoming Exchange Manager in line with their goals and objectives.
Should the incoming Exchange Manager wish to travel with their partner, it will be at the NSW delegates discretion if they are able to host them in their home, or alternate accommodation needs to be arranged (at the incoming Exchange Manager’s expense)
The NSW Host must be able to give maximum attention to their Exchange Manager at our event and in their community. Therefore, they should have the support of their Manager and GM/CEO. Most Exchange Managers have preferred spending time with their NSW Host prior to attending the Annual Conference. This provides a better understanding of the country, the local government system, and the issues likely to be discussed at the conference.