Not at all. You can just be getting started, recently launched or years into your business journey. We’re here to meet you where you are.

Yes! Thriving Together is fully funded by the NSW Government’s Supporting Women in Business Grant. There is no cost to join.

Each stream is flexible. Stream One runs over 3–6 months, while Stream Two offers monthly sessions you can join live or catch up on later, and Stream Three will be a weekly cohort/local activities that vary by region or the needs of the community.

That’s totally fine! Just register your interest and we’ll guide you when applications open.

We’ve got you. Local Activators and resources (printed or digital) are part of the plan, and we’re committed to supporting women in low-connectivity areas.

We want to help you grow your confidence, make stronger connections and feel greater financial security.

The full launch begins in October 2025. Expressions of interest are open now.

At THE Rural Woman (TRW) a POD is a small, supportive group of 5–8 women who journey through the Thriving Together 12-week intensive program together. It’s a safe, facilitated space where participants can:

• Reflect on their goals

• Build confidence

• Share insights and challenges

• Celebrate progress

• Stay accountable in a gentle, supportive way

• Connect with others who understand rural business and life

Each POD has a trained Thriving Together POD Facilitator who guides group sessions, helps create a welcoming and inclusive environment and supports participants to stay connected to the program content and each other.

PODs are typically formed based on location, availability or business stage, and can meet online or in person, depending on the region.

The POD model is one of the most powerful elements of the Thriving Together program, offering connection and support as participants grow their skills and business confidence.

Yes. A person can hold both roles, as long as they meet the commitments for each and any potential conflicts of interest are managed appropriately.

Local Activators and POD Facilitators do not take part in participant selection, and holding both roles does not give someone priority access to the program.

If a person is both a Local Activator and POD Facilitator, they must not facilitate a POD where close personal or financial relationships could create discomfort for the group. The Program Manager will support appropriate POD placement where needed.

Neither role is full-time or part-time employment. Both roles are short-term engagements designed to fit flexibly around your existing work and community commitments.

Local Activators take on a light-touch outreach role during the activation period. The level of activity varies by region and is self-directed within the expectations outlined in each respective position description.

POD Facilitators support a POD of 5-8 women across the 12-week Intensive Stream by guiding 6 facilitated sessions and completing brief check-ins and reporting. The role is structured, but the workload is still part-time in nature and designed to fit around other commitments.

Both roles are paid on stipends or a contractor basis, not by the hour, and are best suited to people looking for flexible, purpose-driven contract work. Because these roles are flexible and self-directed, the workload may look different in each region depending on interest and community size.

No. Both roles are paid under the Thriving Together program.

Local Activators receive a stipend for their work during the activation period. This is a recognition payment for outreach, record keeping, connection and community engagement activities, as set out in the Position Description.

POD Facilitators are engaged as independent contractors and are paid a set fee per POD for delivering facilitated sessions, completing preparation and reporting and participating in onboarding and check-ins.

Payment details for each role our outlined in the Position Descriptions and confirmed in the contractor agreement. These roles are not paid hourly, and they are not volunteer positions.

No formal qualifications are required. We look for people who are active in their communities and comfortable engaging with a wide range of women.

We value:

• Experience engaging with community members

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Confidence using digital tools (Zoom, social media, email)

• For POD Facilitators: previous facilitation, group leadership or coaching experience

All Local Activators and POD Facilitators must also hold an active paid membership of THE Rural Woman Cooperative for the duration of their contract.

Local Activators are provided with:

• Thriving Together promotional materials

• A messaging and outreach toolkit

• Inclusive outreach training

• Brand and content guidelines

• Activation toolkit and templates

• TRW-facilitated connections to partner networks where relevant

• Regular check-ins with the Program Manager

• Invitations to all briefings needed for successful activation

• A simple framework for tracking outreach activities

Local Activators will not be asked to coach, counsel or manage participant issues — the role is outreach, connection and encouragement.

POD Facilitators receive:

• Facilitation frameworks and structure for all POD sessions

• Session outlines and prompts to guide group reflection over conversation

• Tools and guidance for maintaining cultural safety and psychological safety

• Training in TRW’s relational, invitational and inclusive facilitation style

• Digital support for using program platforms

• Access to the delivery team for escalation,debriefs and ongoing support

Facilitators are well-supported but remain independent contractors responsible for delivering their POD sessions with professionalism, clarity and care.

POD Facilitators:

• Do not provide counselling, therapy, crisis support or financial advice

• Do not act as consultants to participants’ businesses or offer tailored business recommendations

• Do provide structured guidance, encouragement, group reflection and safe, inclusive facilitation across the six POD sessions

• Must escalate any concerns, risks or issues promptly to the Program Manager, rather than addressing them independently.

• May briefly introduce their own business if asked, but must not pitch, promote, sell or market their products or services within POD sessions. The POD space must remain a non-commercial environment. Any potential conflict of interest should be discussed with the Program Manager in advance.

A POD Facilitator’s role is to hold supportive space, not to diagnose, coach, solve problems or intervene in personal or business matters.

No. Neither Local Activators nor POD Facilitators are involved in selecting participants for the Thriving Together Program.

Local Activators can encourage women to apply and help them understand the process,but they do not assess applications or influence who is accepted.

POD Facilitators also have no role in reviewing applications or determining POD composition. Their role begins once participants are confirmed.

Holding either role does not give someone priority access to the program. All application assessments and participant placements are managed centrally by the Program Manager and TRW team to ensure fairness, consistency and safety across all regions.

Yes. Both Local Activators and POD Facilitators are welcome to apply for a place in the Thriving Together Program.

Local Activators may apply and participate as long as they:

• Do not attempt to influence their own selection

• Join a POD outside their own region, facilitated by another POD Facilitator

• Maintain role neutrality during outreach and avoid implying priority access.

POD Facilitators may also apply, but they cannot be placed in a POD they facilitate. If accepted into the program, the Program Manager will ensure they join a different POD to avoid dual roles and maintain psychological safety.

Holding either role does not influence selection outcomes. All applications are assessed centrally by the Program Manager to ensure fairness, consistency and safety across the regions.

Yes, POD Facilitators may participate in the Thriving Together program, with safeguards to maintain clear boundaries.

POD Facilitators:

• cannot participate in the same POD or cohort they are facilitating

• may apply to join a later cohort or participate in non-intensive streams

• will be placed in a POD facilitated by someone else, and not connected to their facilitation role

• must maintain appropriate professional boundaries during their facilitation period, including not using POD spaces for networking, promotion or personal business support.

All applications are assessed centrally by the Program Manager to ensure fairness and avoid any conflict of interest.

If a POD Facilitator has a close personal, family or financial relationship with someone who is allocated to their POD, they must let the Program Manager know immediately. To maintain psychological safety and avoid dual roles, the facilitator will be reassigned to a different POD.

POD Facilitators should not facilitate a group that includes relatives, close friends, clients or anyone with whom they have a relationship that may influence group dynamics or create discomfort for other participants. The Program Manager will support appropriate POD placement to ensure clarity, neutrality and safety for everyone involved.

Both Local Activators and POD Facilitators need:

• A computer or tablet

• A mobile phone

• A reliable internet connection

• Email

• Zoom

• Basic comfort with online tools and communication

• Access to Google Suite

POD Facilitators will also require access to Mighty Networks, where some program interactions and resources are hosted.

You do not need advanced technical skills — just confidence navigating everyday online tools

Local Activators will still receive the stipend for activation work, regardless of how many applications come from your region.

Local Activators are expected to:

• carry out reasonable outreach through their local networks, using the tools and templates provided

• follow the activation guidance and approach outlined in the onboarding

• communicate any local barriers, challenges or insights to the Program Manager

• support recruitment in neighbouring areas if agreed with the Program Manager

Local Activators should have some community reach in their region, even if the population is small, as the role involves engaging others rather than representing only themselves.

There are no penalties for demographic or regional factors outside your control. Your contribution is valued based on effort, integrity and connection, not on application volume.

All Thriving Together roles require strict respect for participant privacy and adherence to TRW’s safeguarding and data protection processes. This includes:

• keeping participant information confidential

• storing notes securely and only in line with TRW procedures

• not sharing identifying details without consent

• escalating any concerns or risks promptly with the Program Manager

• never providing counselling, crisis support or case management; these must be referred or escalated.

Confidentiality and clear boundaries help maintain psychological safety for all participants.

If a Local Activator or POD Facilitator is unable to continue in their role, the expectation is to:

• notify the Program Manager as soon as possible

• support a smooth handover if required

• return any program materials or resources provided

There is no penalty for stepping back. Changes in circumstances are understood, and wellbeing and clear communication are prioritised. Any stipend or contractor payments apply only to work already completed.

These roles are specific to the 2025–2027 Thriving Together program period and are tied directly to the funded delivery timeline.

Continuation beyond this period will depend on:

• future funding

• program expansion or adaptation

• any new initiatives developed by the Cooperative

While continuation is not guaranteed, some contributors may be considered for future opportunities within TRW if new programs or contracts arise.

POD session times are set in collaboration between the POD Facilitator and confirmed participants, with oversight from the Program Manager where needed. Session times must work for the group and remain consistent throughout the 12-week Intensive Stream. Facilitators must attend all six POD sessions, as well as the onboarding and debrief requirements outlined in the Position Description.

Local Activators are engaged for a short activation period for each cohort. For Cohort 1, the activation window runs until 16 February 2026, with onboarding and briefings scheduled prior to commencement. Additional activation periods for later cohorts may be offered separately. Outside the activation window, no ongoing commitment is required unless specifically agreed.

POD Facilitators support a POD across the 12-week Intensive Stream by preparing for and delivering six structured POD sessions, maintaining light-touch check-ins, and completing brief reporting. Additional time is required for onboarding, training and debriefs. The role is flexible and designed to be completed alongside other work or commitments, but Facilitators must be available for all six sessions and core program requirements.

If a participant appears to be withdrawing or missing core activities, Local Activators or POD Facilitators may offer one light-touch check-in or encouragement message. Beyond this, concerns must be escalated to the Program Manager. Activators and Facilitators should never pressure participants or attempt to resolve personal or business challenges independently.

POD Facilitators are paid as contractors and will invoice TRW according to the schedule outlined in their agreement. Local Activators receive a stipend for their activation period, paid according to the contractor or stipend schedule provided during onboarding. Payment applies only to work completed, and details on invoicing, timing and documentation will be provided in the contracting process.

Yes. All Thriving Together roles are contracted positions and require an active ABN. Contractors are responsible for their own tax, superannuation and reporting obligations. Information on invoicing and payment schedules will be provided during onboarding.

Yes. Both roles are designed to be flexible and can accommodate a wide range of accessibility requirements and personal circumstances. TRW encourages applicants to share any support needs during onboarding so reasonable adjustments can be put in place. Most responsibilities can be completed remotely.

Yes. Thriving Together values lived experience, local connection and community relationships as much as formal qualifications. Training, templates, session structures and ongoing support are provided to ensure Local Activators and POD Facilitators feel confident in their roles.

TRW recognises that outreach and facilitation may look different in very remote areas. Additional support, tailored guidance and flexible expectations can be discussed with the Program Manager to ensure the role is meaningful, manageable and suited to local realities.

Applicants can contact the Program Manager via admin@theruralwoman.com.au with any questions about the role, application process, contracting requirements or program expectations. TRW encourages early communication to support transparency and informed decision-making.