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Join us to help strengthen community services The NZFVWO is an active network of social service organisations. We provide a unique opportunity to be involved in strengthening comm- unity services and increasing the influence and power of the sector. |
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Issue 11 – June 2005 New Dialogue is published four times a year. Next issue September 2004 |
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Click here for free subscription to New Dialogue email distribution list |
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Click on item for article Forgotten Poverty? – final PIP report From the Executive Director’s desk… Federation two-way communicator Members Forum: What does capacity building mean for your organisation? Charities Commission about to launch Human Rights Action Plan, a voluntary sector perspective Business Community Sector Relationships Community Net Aotearoa – feedback report Community Sector Taskforce update
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“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” Nelson Mandela |
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Tackling poverty remains one of the fundamental challenges facing societies around the world. Poverty causes inequity in all aspects of life, from basic housing, health and education right through to the social fabric of communities.
In an election year, several very strong collaborative campaigns are highlighting the issue of poverty and recommending constructive ways of eradicating it. The New Zealand not-for-profit sector is working together to address concerns not only for its own citizens, but New Zealand’s responsibilities as a member of the wider global civil society.
The next few months will see a major international campaign calling on leading governments to do more to eradicate world poverty, and several domestic initiatives addressing the underlying causes of poverty. New Dialogue profiles some of the various efforts underway.
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Forgotten Poverty? – final PIP reportNew Zealand Council of Christian Social Services |
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The final report of the Poverty Indicator Project was recently released by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services. The longitudinal project ran over a four year period looking at use of food banks, balanced against New Zealand’s general economic situation. Entitled ‘Forgotten Poverty?’ the final report indicates that there still is continuing need for foodbank services. Whilst the number of people requiring foodbank assistance generally decreased over the four year period, the report suggests that people needing foodbank services often experience complex problems. Major findings included: · Median and average weekly incomes of foodbank clients are less than half that of the average New Zealand household. · 70 percent or more of foodbank clients receive a benefit as their only source of income. · More than 60 percent of foodbank clients spent greater than 30 percent of their income on housing. · The majority of those surveyed were in debt. NZCCSS spokesperson, Major Campbell Roberts, said that while the report provided a snapshot of seven foodbanks across the country, it indicated that people still need the services provided by foodbanks. “It is of significant concern that despite strong economic times, there are a group of people with often multiple social, health and financial problems that, somehow, ‘fall through the cracks’. “The project was an important and unique piece of research, which has met its aims. It’s focused attention on the difficulties people in our community often face – from the costs of housing, to the level of debt, and the difficulties families face in just trying to make ends meet.” While PIP has come to an end, NZCCSS will continue to work with government and in the wider community to highlight the needs of people in poverty. For copies of the report contact Joanne Gomez: admin@nzccss.org.nz |
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From Housing to HomesBonnie Robinson & Leanne Smith, Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit |
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The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit formed in 2004 to provide a social policy for the Salvation Army with an aim of eradicating poverty in New Zealand. In March they published From Housing to Homes — a report examining the declining rate of home-ownership in New Zealand, why it is a problem and what can be done to reverse it. The report states that changing housing preferences, student debt, affordability, sustainability, consumer debt, and increasing market segmentation within a single housing policy environment are all reasons for a significant fall in homeownership rates in New Zealand since 1991. Owning your home can be a powerful instigator for change. It can break the poverty trap and vicious circle it creates. Homeownership has positive socio-economic outcomes since it contributes financially through savings and the building up of assets. It also contributes to a sense of security, belonging, and community. The decline in homeownership means we are getting less of these benefits and problems such as a slowing or reduction in the movement out of state housing, which worsens waiting lists, are on the rise. Contrasting the New Zealand experience against international evidence, the report identifies four broad policy approaches that will assist New Zealand’s low and modest income households into homeownership. Briefly, these are: 1. Shared Equity: Shared equity is an option where the equity in a property is (at least initially) shared between two parties. One of the major advantages of the shared equity option is the ability of shared equity housing models to be created/adapted for a variety of household types and housing regions. 2. Right-to-Buy: The Right-to-Buy scheme would enable state tenants the right-to-buy their property at a discounted price. This scheme would be targeted at particular areas of New Zealand and sections of the housing market, such as areas where there is an oversupply of state houses, and lower cost housing markets. 3. Supported Saving: Supported savings schemes encourage savings by matching or otherwise enhancing savings made by individuals or households. They often involve the locking in of savings for specific purposes, such as home deposit or education, by providing bonuses for those who do not withdraw before a specified period. Support Savings schemes are a longer-term strategy. 4. Land Lease for Key Workers: The land lease for key workers scheme is where the government leases, at a discounted price, government land in high housing cost areas for key workers (such as nurses, police, teachers) to build homes on. This enables key workers to live in or near the communities in which they work. The report also explores the economic implications and costs of policy options arguing that strategies to encourage homeownership will have economic implications that will need to be taken into consideration. However, the fact that economic and financial issues exist does not mean that homeownership schemes should not be undertaken, rather they need to be considered, and where possible strategies should be put in place to alleviate any negative outcomes that may occur. A key overall message is that to be successful homeownership options must focus on both access and sustainability. There is little point getting people into housing if they are unable to afford it long term. The options put forward in the report address both these issues and offer a way forward for New Zealand. From Housing to Homes is available from The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, PO Box 76249, Manukau City . OR email: social_policy@nzf.salvationarmy.org |
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Do you know?· It is estimated that 30% of New Zealand children live in some degree of deprivation or poverty. · A recent UNICEF report ranked New Zealand 4th worst on an OECD child poverty league table. · ‘One parent with dependent children only’ households receive the lowest average weekly household income, $508. The national average weekly household income is $1,203. · In 1981 the average house price was $41,000 and the average wage was $12,600. Today, the average house price is $260,000 while the average wage is just $39,000. · Gisborne, Whangarei, Wanganui, Porirua zone and Rotorua respectively suffer the highest levels of economic deprivation of all main urban areas. · New Zealand does not have an official poverty line. There are difficulties in defining an official poverty line - in terms of setting the level, the choice of equivalence scale, geographical variation in living costs and short-term periods of low income are among several compounding factors. · 60 percent of median household income (presently $32,000) is generally considered a useful guide for low income. |
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Every Child Counts rocks!Mike Coleman, Project Team member |
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Every Child Counts is an election year campaign calling on all political parties to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable social and economic development by putting children at the centre of policy development. Placing children at the centre of public policy development will enable New Zealand to thrive now and in the future – well nurtured children are the key to this. Developing public policy in the context of sustainable development draws attention to the social and economic consequences of not addressing child poverty or failing to care for and protect children. Launched on 19 April in Auckland, Every Child Counts has since been on a roll. In the month of April the campaign covered in the national print media on 22 occasions and our signed up support grew from 299 on 14 March to 2,177 at the end of April. It currently stands at nearly 2800 supporters. The sheer diversity of signed up supporters who come from the length and breadth of the country, and from all walks of life, encourages us in our conviction that our message resonates with New Zealanders. The range of supporter organisations is also fascinating. There are the large national organisations such as NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, National Council of Women, NZ Council of Trade Unions, NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services, Child Poverty Action Group, Public Health Association and the Paediatric Society. And there are smaller local voluntary organisations such as parent centres, women’s refuges and youth trusts. Several iwi social services have come out in support along with Maōri Women’s Welfare League branches. The New Zealand Maōri Women’s Welfare League gave us our whakatauki, he Mana tō ia Tamaiti, as a gift. The churches have also provided strong support including a number of Quaker meetings, Churches Agency on Social Issues, Caritas, two Catholic dioceses, several religious orders, Auckland City Mission, Anglican Trust for Women and Children, the Salvation Army Policy Unit, a number of parishes and other church organisations. A number of schools have signed up as have four IT companies and a chamber of commerce. We are also getting very strong support from local government with 28 mayors having put their name to the campaign. We now are going out to the regions with our message. Visits have been made to Gisborne and Timaru, with planning underway for Christchurch, Hamilton and Whangarei. An Every Child Counts organising committee has been established in Gisborne with others in the pipeline. Our message of sustainable social and economic development through placing children at the centre of policy is readily understood by young and old with strong support coming from young people through our partnership with the New Zealand Children’s Art Houses Federation. Retired people figure large among our personal supporters. Our message is neatly summed up in a sentence by Dame Anne Salmond, the New Zealand anthropologist when she said “An ageing society that does not care for its young, is a society with a death wish.” Visit our website and learn more about us and our supporters, but above all influence our politicians this election year by signing yourself up and making sure your organisation signs up also. |
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MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY CampaignBarry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand & MPH Interim Steering Committee member |
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On 1 July this year, the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Aotearoa New Zealand campaign, will be launched. Internationally, this is likely to be the largest public campaign in history, bigger than the massive Jubilee 2000 campaign which aimed to end the injustice of Third World Debt. The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is part of the international Global Call to Action Against Poverty, which now has coalitions in more than 70 countries under various banners. The international campaign makes three demands, which together could have a dramatic impact to reduce poverty worldwide: more and better aid, trade justice and drop the debt. On each of these demands, there is a lot that needs to be done in New Zealand. The NZ policy platform for the campaign will include the international policy demands, but will also include action on poverty domestically. These are likely to focus on ending child poverty in New Zealand, supporting the campaigning work of the Every Child Counts coalition and the Child Poverty Action Group. Internationally the New Zealand MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign will support the demands of the current Point Seven campaign to set a timetable and milestones to meet the 0.7% target. In the recent budget, the government increased the amount of aid to a level of 0.27% of Gross National Income. But five countries around the world already give more than the agreed international target of 0.7%, and most other OECD countries have set a timetable to do so. The New Zealand Government still has some way to go in meeting its commitments. On international trade, New Zealand’s policy has been to use trade negotiations to open up markets of the developing world. The demands of the New Zealand MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign are still under discussion, but are likely to call for trade negotiations to ensure that developing countries are allowed to give priority to food security and poverty reduction, instead of being pressured into inappropriate trade liberalisation. The promises by governments to cancel the debts of the poorest countries, made in response to the Jubilee 2000 campaign, have still not been met. Many developing country governments are still spending more debt service than on health care. The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign will support Jubilee Aotearoa’s call for debt cancellation for the poorest countries, to allow them to meet basic needs rather than repaying foreign debts, especially since much of that debt was incurred for inappropriate projects or arms sales. The international campaign has already held a number of high profile events and mobilised thousands of people and personalities, including Nelson Mandela who gave an inspirational talk to thousands of supporters in London’s Trafalgar Square in February. The list of celebrity supporters reads like a who’s who of the music and entertainment world. The New Zealand campaign will consist of a coalition of organisations and networks. The coalition open to all non-profit groups who are working for an end to poverty. Members of the public are asked to wear a white band, the symbol of the campaign, to show their support. There are important opportunities in 2005 for us to make a difference in the fight against poverty. In September this year, there will be a mobilisation just before the UN Summit to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals – the international targets to halve poverty by 2015. If enough people across the world mobilise and demand action, millions of lives can be saved. Now is the time to speak out. Join the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign: www.makepovertyhistory.org.nz |
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point seven campaignEwan Morris, Council for International Development |
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New Zealanders are a generous people. At the beginning of this year, Kiwis responded with tremendous generosity to the devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami. Both individuals and the New Zealand government pledged money to tsunami relief, and followed through with the money they had promised. But whereas the public generally put their money where their mouth is, our government, unfortunately, has not been paying its fair share or honouring its promises when it comes to long-term development aid. As far back as 1970, the United Nations agreed that developed countries should contribute 0.7% of their Gross National Incomes (GNI) to overseas aid. By 1975, New Zealand aid contributions had reached 0.52%. Sadly, in the 30 years since we reached this high point, our contribution has fallen drastically. Despite a significant increase to aid in the 2005 Budget, present contributions stand at only 0.27% of GNI. Since the creation of the new government aid agency NZAID in 2002, New Zealand’s aid is widely recognised as being both effective and focused on poverty reduction. This view was backed up by a peer review of the government’s aid programme by an OECD team this year which concluded that the creation of NZAID had been a success. New Zealand non-government organisations involved in international development, represented by the Council for International Development (CID), recognise that the establishment of NZAID was a big step forward in addressing issues of aid quality. But the OECD peer review also called on the government to significantly increase its aid level and start moving towards the 0.7% target. Successive New Zealand governments have stated their commitment to reaching 0.7%, but none have ever set timetables for doing so. We are now calling on the government to address the issue of quantity, and have formed the point seven campaign to put pressure on our government to pay its fair share towards fighting global poverty. On 12 May the point seven campaign presented Parliament with a 14,000-strong petition urging the government to meet its commitment by 2015. This timetable is in line with attaining the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seek to achieve targets such as halving extreme poverty and hunger throughout the world by 2015. But there is a long way to go - at our current rate of progress New Zealand will get to 0.7% not in 2015 but in 2050! On 24 May, the 15 ‘old’ states of the European Union agreed to reach the 0.7% target no later than 2015. Even the new EU states such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, which are poorer than New Zealand, have agreed to spend 0.33% of GNI on aid by 2015. While the Czechs are facing up to their global responsibilities, New Zealand’s cheque, overdue since 1975, is still in the mail. The New Zealand government is one of the least generous aid donors among the developed countries, and one of the few that has set no timetable for reaching 0.7%. Aid is not the only answer to global poverty, but it has an important part to play. New Zealand’s aid is focused on our Pacific neighbours, a number of whom are struggling to achieve the MDGs. It is time for the New Zealand government to live up to our country’s reputation as a good global citizen. It is time for the government to start paying our fair share and to keep its promise by setting a timetable to give 0.7% of national income in aid. |
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Do you know?· 76% approved of the New Zealand government providing aid to poorer countries overseas. Only 14% disapproved. (CID) · 61% supported New Zealand meeting the 0.7% overseas aid target. (CID) · More than 1.2bn people survive on less than US$1 a day · More than 2.8bn people survive on less than US$2 a day · More than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day – 300 million are children · Every 3.6 seconds another person dies of starvation - the large majority are children under the age of 5 · Every year 10 million children die from preventable diseases For more information visit UN website: The faces of poverty |
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From the President’s deskJudith Hoban, President NZFVWO |
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Every so often there is an opportunity to look afresh at how and why we do what we do. Recent workshops presented by American enthusiast Susan Ellis presented such an opportunity. Thanks to Volunteering NZ for sponsoring Susan’s visit and in so doing encouraging this writer (and a few other workshop participants, I hope) to think about the volunteering culture in this country with a fresh perspective. Susan’s down to earth approach reflected her style and personality. Sound commonsense, sprinkled with quick wit and practical suggestions, forced us to review the practices and systems we utilise in all aspects of volunteer based activity. Extensive community experience at home and abroad provides the foundation for Susan’s presentations. Following are just a few of her key thoughts and observations: · organisations must deliver what they promise to volunteers – we must not “bait and switch” i.e.; we should not deviate from the role we recruited for. · men do not volunteer– they are firemen, coaches and trainers. · professionals do not volunteer– they offer pro bono services. · even if an organisation had endless money it would still involve volunteers. They add richness, diversity, empathy, people, and time. Staff levels are finite. · Paid people change role from advocate to spokesperson. · Healthiest volunteering occurs when both the giver and the recipient enjoy benefits. · Ways in which we reward volunteers matter – very often giving more volunteer work is the only recognition a dedicated person receives! · The image of volunteering is often seen as a life sentence – many prefer a finite project. · The aging population is a universal trend; it is useful to refer to young seniors, middle seniors and older seniors. · Never say, “Call to volunteer” as that implies that all who call will be accepted. Do say, “Call to apply/discuss”. · Volunteering allows someone to rise to the level of their competence, not the level of their resume. · The first ever website was established in 1991. What progress since! · A website should be meaningful and not become a cobweb. · Recruit a Cyber Deputy to find and manage online resources for you. · Susan’s company Energize is based in Philadelphia – www.energizeinc.com. There you will discover a wealth of information and support for volunteers and voluntary organisations. May you all continue to enjoy the rewards and challenges of life in the voluntary sector. |
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From the Executive Director’s desk…Tina Reid, Executive Director, NZFVWO |
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Huge capacity in the sector Capacity building – what is it and what do we want? was the topic of two recent forums I held in Christchurch and Auckland. In the same period I have also been involved in a number of other forums and workshops – and have been hugely impressed (again) by the willingness and interest demonstrated by voluntary organisations. A great number of people have attended meetings, and willingly shared ideas and information about some complex issues. It is evident that there is huge experience and considerable skill in our sector, and people are increasingly willing to come together and participate in collaborative efforts to address issues. Capacity building is currently a fairly hot word - and some very clear messages were expressed at these meetings: What is it? Money is extremely important, but we are lessened when we define ourselves in terms of funding agreements. The capacity of the sector is about a wider range of things, such as: · having energies for visions and creating strategies and methods to achieve them · supporting people and their skills and experience · being connected with others – to understand where our work fits with others and learn from research and experience of other agencies · standing together – experiencing our commonalities as well as our differences · being listened to and heard – speaking up and out · being independent – finding expression of our own voices and issues, not those defined by others The last month has demonstrated to me that there are a lot of these things happening in our sector - there were great examples of strong collaborative projects and processes, often working with government staff and strategies. What do we want? There were strong messages that the sector wants to work together, both within our sector and with government, on practical projects that align the values and purposes of different sectors. ‘Strengths-based approaches’ has been another frequently used term over the last few years, and I now realise it applies to organisations as well as to social work practice. It is based on recognising the huge contribution that is being made by so many people and organisations – and learning ways of working to enhance and strengthen the sector rather than minimise, undervalue or undermine the experience and knowledge it possesses. In such processes it’s important to acknowledge our strengths, rather than our weaknesses, and ensure that our relationships with each other are strong and confident so that we can work together and with government to secure a well resourced, robust and independent sector. |
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Comings & goingsKeeping in touch with changes for Federation members..... |
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· Tim Burns has taken up the position of Executive Director at Volunteering New Zealand · Robynn Kopua has recently been elected President of the New Zealand Playcentre Federation · Nick Toonen has given his notice from 19 August as CEO of the National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux · Alisdair Finnie has finished as the Chief Executive Officer at Arthritis New Zealand, and Roger Sowry has been appointed to this position · Connor Twyford will soon be going on parental leave from her position as Co-ordinator at New Zealand Council of Council Services and Terongo Tekii has been appointed to fill her position for a year. We welcome several new members to the Federation: Federation of WEA’s, Paediatric Society of NZ, New Progress Enterprises, Problem Gambling Foundation. We look forward to our association with you all. |
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Do you know?· The Federation has set up a two-way email listserver for its 150 member organisations. · A listserver is a program that automatically sends email to a list of subscribers. · An email listserver is a simple, yet powerful tool with which people can interact with each other. · Using a listserver is exactly the same as sending an email. · NZFVWO members can now email enquiries, post notices, request research or other organisations’ experiences to the list. · Anyone can reply to an email sent to the listserver, and everyone will receive the answer.
Members wanting to know more should view our simple step-by-step guide to using the listserver: www.nzfvwo.org.nz/files/file/listguide.htm
NOTE: The Federation intends to make similar lists available to the wider sector in the future. However, at present, this utility is available only to our members. Organisations wishing to avail the use of this list should consider NZFVWO membership: http://www.nzfvwo.org.nz/?/information
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New Dialogue reviewNaj Dehlavi, NZFVWO |
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In the March edition of New Dialogue the Federation informed readers that the magazine in its hard copy format was no longer financially sustainable; that the full edition was being circulated electronically and a new printed summary version called ‘New Dialogue mini’ being sent separately by mail. The Federation requested readers’ feedback on the magazine itself, the new electronic format and the summary hard copy ‘New Dialogue mini’. Thank you to all those who responded. Some of the key findings from the survey were: · New Dialogue as a magazine is appreciated as an information resource in the sector · Hard copy summary version ‘New Dialogue mini’ was well received · Readers would rather receive electronic version and printed summary than nothing at all · Strong demand that electronic version be easy to read on screen with the option for a printer friendly version · Concern that not having a hard copy would limit internal readership within organisations – emails are less likely to be passed round than a magazine. The feedback has been instrumental in deciding how the Federation is to proceed with New Dialogue: · The full version will be circulated electronically · The electronic version will be HTML based, with an optional printable version (PDF) · A 4-page printed summary, ‘New Dialogue mini’ will be circulated 2 weeks later · Subscribing to the electronic version will be online and open to all. The Federation is encouraging organisations to increase internal circulation of New Dialogue. Please ask colleagues in your organisation who are interested in receiving New Dialogue to sign up to the electronic distribution list. Subscribe to the distribution list simply by clicking on the following link: |
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Members Forum: What does capacity building mean for your organisation? |
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Every issue, we ask a number of our members their opinion on a topical issue. With the term ‘capacity building’ gaining more and more currency in recent months, both within the sector and government departments, we ask what our members understood by the term and what are they doing to build capacity.
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Southland Community HouseGay McNaughton |
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Here at the Southland Community House, we have looked hard at the role we have to play and what we have to do in order to do it well. What has been clear to us from the outset is that helping build capacity is central to the services we provide. This is strongly reflected in our Mission and Vision statements and our strategic reviews. The Trustees at Southland Community House believe that there are considerable and important initiatives which can be implemented to develop a strong and enduring community sector here in Southland. Strategically, Southland Community House wants to position itself as a resource which facilitates the development of infrastructure and skills that address the limitations, dilemmas and vulnerability facing community groups and the community sector itself. Groups working in the community and voluntary sector of Southland will be connected through enhanced networking opportunities and the efficient dissemination of relevant information. The Mission Statement is a succinct declaration of our purpose to this end: “Connecting, Informing and Supporting the Community and Voluntary Sector of Southland.” In order to fulfil the objectives of our Mission Statement, the Southland Community House is providing the following resources and services which ensure that we are contributing to capacity building in the Southland area. Support: The provision of secure accommodation for ten NFP Groups has reduced the impact of isolation and ensured organisations have easy access to many shared resources such as a Resource Library, Fundview, Free Internet access from a communal computer and other organisations knowledge and information. A payroll service is also being provided and is available to all NFP Groups in Southland. For those who may wish to tap into this service there are savings in their organisations time for volunteers and savings in wages if they currently employ someone to manage wages payments. Networks: Tenant groups meet fortnightly, this allows staff to be able to discuss with others any of the issues that other groups may also be dealing or struggling with and together are often able to come up with solutions to problems and or new ways to deal with these issues. Discussion can also include funding info and general shared information, groups often find that they have mutual clients and work together with shared meetings with clients in order to jointly assist. This again saves everyone time and eliminates the necessity of numerous meetings when one meeting may be able to address a number of issues for the client. Speakers are invited into the Southland Community House on a three weekly basis. Speakers are usually suggested by tenant groups as to what would benefit them. These meetings are open to all NFP Groups, Government agencies and Education agencies throughout Southland. Sharing information: Newsletters are produced bi-monthly. These are sent to approx 180 NFP Groups and contain information on events and services being offered for the following 2 months by tenant groups. The option is available for other groups throughout Southland to have their information included as well. There may also be other updates regarding funding rounds included for everyone’s information. Other items of interest may be relevant websites for NFP Groups, Speaker Meetings are also listed. For more information about Southland Community House, contact us by emailing: |
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Tokomaru Bay Community GroupGeorgina Johnson |
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Capacity Building is a term that has been bandied around Aotearoa for a number of years with incredulous cynical responses, or one of severe support with strings! Our organisation reflects what are its true strengths and weaknesses that make an interesting scenario for a small Maori rural organisation to live with the term “Capacity Building”. Capacity Building has its merits – I agree wholeheartedly! The key word is support and trust, this strengthens and empowers us as a community, whanau, hapu and Iwi to make changes, build and empower us to achieve our own goals and objectives. The downside for us has been the bureaucratic nonsense to achieve and continue to resource our independence, equity and cultural revitalisation. It becomes embarrassingly evident that from our perspective most Capacity Building has been short sighted and short term funded. The opportunity to continue to work and support in partnership with businesses and government affect communities such as ours, who rely on those who are in control of short term funding. This threat continues to leave us at the mercy of political changes every three to four years – depending on what scandal hits the headlines next making the Capacity Cupboard bare! Capacity Building is the right term – it’s the infrastructure to continue to support the term that is the issue. We have learnt that a high level of expertise and knowledge makes a difference to the service we offer, that we continue to learn formally and informally, that we have and use our networks, and that we are proactive in our approach. These are the four fundamental qualities that we continue to strive for as part of Capacity Building from our perspective. We are quite capable of building our own capacity and look for that respect to allow this to happen. The opportunity to communicate openly and freely and beyond the usual will allow us to go to a different level and take us where we want to go. The organisation and its people are ready for the changes to take, and that ongoing questioning means better answers for the organisation to achieve excellent Capacity Building. That team and peer learning is ongoing and fundamental in the role of Capacity Building. Capacity Building needs to acknowledge and recognise that we have our own culture and history as an organisation, that we have different learning styles, that the organisation is a living body and that everything that happens within it affects it, the most important lesson has been that Capacity Building takes time of which we have plenty! |
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Social Services WaikatoBev Gatenby |
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Academic writers tend to define ‘capacity building’ as work which strengthens community organisations so that they can achieve their missions. Usually they focus on advice, training and resources for aspects of managing individual organisations, such as financial advice, strategic management and planning, governance, human resource management, and sometimes planning and evaluating community services. I prefer to see capacity building as something much broader than this kind of technical assistance for management, though I think that is important stuff too. Capacity building is about: strengthening individual community organisations and strengthening the relationships between them and strengthening the community sector as a whole. All of this has the broader aim of developing and maintaining healthy, vibrant communities. Who does capacity building? Even though the term ‘capacity building’ has become more popular recently, the concept is not new. In our country there are both exciting new capacity building initiatives and long term projects and organisations involved. Within the community sector, national ‘umbrella’ organisations like NZFVWO, NZCOSS, ANGOA and NZCCSS have been strengthening community organisations by providing information, resources and good advice for many years. They also act as a place organisations can come together to raise issues affecting community organisations, especially with government and philanthropic funders. I think the strengths of national organisations are particularly in offering information and advocacy. The 6 year process which has led to the current national Community Sector Taskforce has built significant capacity in the community sector by bringing together community organisations of all kinds. The Taskforce mission has been aptly described as ensuring community organisations are informed, connected and able to do their work. It has brought together Tangata Whenua, Pakeha, Pacific Island and other ethnic community organisations, to imagine together a national structure whose mission would be to continue to strengthen community organisations. Capacity building happens locally and regionally too. Here at Social Services Waikato we have community advisors who can work with individual organisations to assist, facilitate and support governance, management, policy development, service evaluations, strategic planning, and so on. We also facilitate a number of networks which build relationships; for example for community houses, managers, and youth workers. We provide training and education opportunities, including scholarships. Some of our training has focused on skills for community organisations as employers. Some has provided training in peer mentoring, so that people in community organisations can mentor each other and at the same time build strong connections across their organisations. We also work with Arts Waikato, Sport Waikato and Trust Waikato to advocate on issues which affect all community organisations, such as the Charities Commission and the Financial Reporting Act. Some community houses, philanthropic trusts, councils of social services and volunteer centres also provide regional and local capacity building. Most organisations do their own capacity building at times, sometimes supported by grants provided especially to build operational strength. Sometimes organisations use consultants to come in and provide advice and support – and there are an increasing number of consultants available with specialist knowledge and passion for community organisations. Some government funds, for example from Te Puni Kokiri, Housing New Zealand and Child, Youth and Family, are available so that community organisations can engage consultants to develop their operations. Tertiary institutions also provide courses intended to build the capacity of the community sector. UNITEC’s Diploma in Not for Profit Management and Waikato University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Not for Profit Management are terrific examples. And why is capacity building important? If, as a country, we genuinely believe that community organisations provide much that is wonderful in our communities and have a key role in building a participative democracy, then having strong, connected, able, informed community organisations is a priority. There is great strength in many community organisations (look at the sheer tenacity of many) and yet, organisations of all kinds exist in complex environments and face complex issues internally and externally. Support, advice, information, resources, training, networks, connections, advocacy – in short, capacity building – are all essential. An imaginary example: building the capacity of Waikato Imaginary Trust (WIT) WIT is a charitable trust which provides arts, health and recreation programmes for local people who have experienced mental health issues. Based on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, WIT employs 12 staff members, has a volunteer board of 7, and another 15 committed volunteers who help with programmes. Over the last 2 years, WIT has focused on building capacity in the following ways (in no particular order): 1. Joined Coromandel Peninsula mental health providers network – for connections with other providers so able to refer appropriately, identify gaps in services, learn with others, advocate jointly about DHB funding. 2. Invited Social Services Waikato community advisor to facilitate governance development for Board members – to articulate board roles, build meeting skills, recruit and retain trustees, build effective working relationship with manager. 3. WIT Manager enrolled in Diploma in Not for Profit Management to build individual skills. Social Services Waikato provided a scholarship towards course costs. 4. Three staff members attended training on peer mentoring and supervision and now meet monthly with staff members in similar roles in other organisations. 5. Used resources from communitynet.aotearoa and NZFVWO risk management resources to develop range of organisational policies such as Health and Safety Policy, Privacy Policy, Complaints Policy. 6. Applied for grant from Trust Waikato to conduct an evaluation of their services and contracted local researcher to do the evaluation which was then used in developing long term vision for services. 7. Trustees, staff and volunteers spent one day on retreat developing vision and plan for service development over next three years. 8. Joined NZFVWO to make links nationally and to be part of advocacy around Charities Commission. 9. Programme Coordinator attended Volunteering Waikato training on recruiting and retaining volunteers. 10. Manager and Chairperson attended joint Social Services Waikato/Department of Labour training on ‘employment wellbeing’. 11. Joined with other community organisations to plan approach to local Council as part of community planning process. 12. Applied for capacity building grant from Housing New Zealand to develop proposal to establish community housing complex. 13. Had a fabulous end of year bbq at the beach! |
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Charities Commission about to launchTina Reid, NZFVWO |
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On 1 July the Charities Commission will come into being in New Zealand, after a long gestation. At various times since 1989 the Federation has been involved in discussions about the possibility of such a body in New Zealand – and we are watching with great interest. We are expecting the announcement of between 5 and 7 Commissioners very soon, and at some stage soon some consultation on the regulations, including the forms that will be required for initial and annual registration. NZFVWO has consistently supported the concept of a Charities Commission for New Zealand. While it primarily has the task of registering and monitoring charitable activities for reasons of public accountability, it can offer a whole lot more.
So what will it mean for voluntary organisations in New Zealand? Registration is voluntary, but will be required for tax exempt status. We expect that many funders will require this status. This has already been signalled by proposed new Telecom sponsorship criteria including the requirement that groups are registered as charities even before the Commission is established. There will be both initial and ongoing annual registration. It is expected that this will be free initially, but will cost $50 on-line and $75 paper based annually. The relevant forms and confirmed costs will be part of regulations which have not yet been finalised. All organisations, including those with existing tax exempt status will be required to register. Registration is expected to open early in 2006 and to have a reasonable transition period in which to register. Organisations that are also required to register annually with a registrar – such as incorporated societies, will still need to also do this. It is hoped that the two processes will be streamlined. Impacts The first few years can be expected to be extremely busy for the Commission. Every interested voluntary organisation will need to keep up to date about requirements to register. It is expected that there could be as many as 30,000 organisations in New Zealand. Registration requires not only that organisations have charitable purpose, but that they are actually engaged in some charitable activity. It can be expected that the Commission will need to do considerable sifting in the first year of operation to determine any charities that are not active. There will also be a number of aggrieved organisations who have not been able to gain tax exempt status earlier that can be expected to emerge and make their claim. At the same time, the sector is expecting a demonstration of their interest in policy, support and education functions for this sector if they are to fulfil the expectations that have been expressed through stroppy submission processes over the last year. |
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Human Rights Action Plan, a voluntary sector perspectiveWarren Lindberg, Human Rights Commissioner |
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Human rights are vital to peace, security and sustainable development worldwide. In New Zealand, human rights underlie our expectations about life, education, health and work, about our personal security, equal opportunity, fair treatment, and about our ability to have a say and our system of government. Mana ki Te Tangata / the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights builds on the achievements of successive generations of New Zealanders committed to ensuring everyone gets a fair go. The Action Plan is based on the evidence and analysis presented in Human Rights in New Zealand Today / Nga Tika Tangata O Te Motu, the first comprehensive assessment of the status of human rights in New Zealand published in September 2004. This showed where New Zealand is doing well in protecting human rights and where we must do better. In many respects we meet international human rights standards and often surpass them. However, in some crucial areas we fall well short. The most pressing issues that emerged were:
The Action Plan starts with a focus on the rights of children, disabled people and race relations. It then covers civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, and the legal and policy framework for protecting and promoting human rights in New Zealand. We are confident the Plan is achievable because, in so many areas, government strategies and policies are already acknowledging and addressing the issues. However, while government has specific responsibilities for the promotion and protection of human rights, responsibilities extend beyond the State to local government, the business and community sectors, to voluntary groups and organisations. In fact, each of us has a responsibility to respect and protect the rights of others. Crucial steps towards implementing the suggested actions can also be taken by individuals or families, in their homes and neighbourhoods; by employers, employees and unions in their workplaces; and by parents, teachers, trustees and students in early childhood centres and schools throughout New Zealand. Over the next five years, the Human Rights Commission will work with agencies and organisations responsible for priority actions, and will report annually on progress in implementing the Action Plan and its impact on promoting respect for human rights and encouraging harmonious relations among New Zealanders. To obtain a copy of the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights or Human Rights in New Zealand Today (full and summary versions available) please contact the Commission’s InfoLine on: 0800 496 877 or infoline@hrc.co.nz. The reports can also be viewed on the Commission’s website: www.hrc.co.nz |
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CEGS casualty?Annette Nixon, Te Whare Akonga / Open Learning Centre |
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