This week is shaping up to be a busy one for philanthropy events in Melbourne.

First off there is the Brotherhood of St Laurence Sambell Oration Dinner at the Sofitel on Wednesday night featuring guest speaker, Jennifer Westacott, the CEO of the Business Council of Australia. Bookings can be made at Phone: (03) 9483 1301 or by email: events@bsl.org.au NB $140 per person.

Then, of course, my favourite because I organised it (and free), is the Inner North Community Foundation, first ever PLuGIN (philanthropy leadership group Inner North) on Thursday night at the Inner North Community Foundation offices in Northcote. Some places are still available so you can email info@innernorthfoundation.org.au if you wish to attend. The purpose is to discuss, debate and understand the ideas of community and philanthropy when you put them together in the same sentence. The guest speaker will be Mary Crooks, Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust and Northcote local.

and finally, also on Thursday night is the 2011 Stegley Lecture presented by Professor Thomas Pogge at Arrow on Swanston at 6.00pm. The topic is What are the responsibilities of the affluent to address global poverty? You can register your interest for this by phoning (03) 9214 8384 or emailing CentreForPhilanthropy@swin.edu.au.

If you get to any of these, let us know your thoughts.