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Wednesday, 8 September 2010, 10am to Midday. Venue: Centre for Global Development, 2nd Floor, James Smiths Building, Corner of Cuba and Manners Streets, Wellington
Tena koutou katoa, nga mihi nui kia koe - All are Welcome. Feel free to forward this invite, and the newsletter, to others who may be interested. ANGOA disseminates this information as part of its work to strengthen the Tangata Whenua Community and Voluntary Sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Any enquiries, to be added to the Roundtable mail list, or to be removed from it, please contact ANGOA Coordinator: dave.henderson@angoa.org.nz.
"As always we live in contradictory times. Spaces for greater democratic engagement are opening up while simultaneously, particularly in the west, citizens are increasingly distrustful and unenthusiastic about politics and politicians, choosing instead to channel their energy into green campaigns and protest…
"Processes of decentralization underway in many countries worldwide have developed new roles for local government and new ways to deepen democracy. At the heart of democracy is the relationship between the citizen and the state.
"Questions of democracy, legitimacy, respect for human rights, transparency and accountability have never been more urgent as we face multiple crises: social, economic, financial, environmental, food security."
Helen O'Connell, Head of Policy, One World Action, www.oneworldaction.org
"Increasingly, citizen participation is seen as the best way to revitalize democracy, improve public policy and services, and create conditions that allow for social innovation, develop individuals' capacities, reinforce social fabric, and re-instate a sense of civil responsibility."
Institute du Nouveau Monde, whose social innovation and social entrepreneur support programme is entitled "Go on - Change le Monde!" www.inm.qc.ca
"Definition:Civil Society Organisation (CSO): Groups such as community groups, non-governmental organisations, labour unions, indigenous peoples' organisations, charitable organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations and foundations, that pursue common purposes."
Forum for Democratic Global Governance: www.fimcivilsociety.org
The New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (PSA) is the largest trade union in New Zealand with over 58,000 members. PSA is a democratic organisation representing members working in the public service, the wider state sector and local government, as well as in non-government organisations working in health, social services and community services. It has a growing number of members employed by non-government organisations - almost 6,000 at last count. Most of these are employed in the areas of mental health and disability support residential care, and an increasing number are coming from the social services.
The PSA is currently running a major community campaign, 'Working for You', promoting the value of public services and highlighting the effects of service cuts on local communities. Brenda and Richard will attend to discuss this campaign, the work of the PSA and its connections with the sector.
Most of ANGOA's members provide information to the public and to central or local Government, supporting or initiating changes to policy, to legislation, or to social beliefs and attitudes. The sector is recognised as the seedbed for many of the ideas and innovations that generate social and economic progress for the nation. This activity is a natural part of the role of NGOs in a participatory democracy, indistinguishable from and often called, advocacy. Following the Charities Commission decision to de-register the National Council of Women there is widespread concern that "advocacy" may now be non grata, less valued, and that there may even be a deliberate intent by Government to dampen and discourage it. Trevor has volunteered to help clarify the issues.
The concern among members of ANGOA is around several key aspects:
To help make the most of the discussion, you are encouraged to read the Commission's decision re NCW at
http://www.charities.govt.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=k6Xi%2b%2fz2fQw%3d&tabid=250
ANGOA is a member of CIVICUS, and of AGNA, the Affinity Group of National Associations.
David Robinson just stepped down from the CIVICUS Board where he was nominated by the International centre for Non-Profit Law.
Pat just stepped down as Chair of AGNA, and was elected to the CIVICUS board.
For Dave Henderson, Coordinator of ANGOA, it was the first opportunity to meet his opposite number from many of the national whole-of-sector associations, like ANGOA, that make up AGNA.
This is an opportunity for ANGOA member organisations, and others present, to make announcements, raise issues of government policy, discuss legislation out for submissions, or just have your say, and find collaborators!
Requests, offers or recommendations of presenters are welcome for any of the following events - please contact dave.henderson@angoa.org.nz
Note that all content from the OCVS Events Calendaris being integrated into the Events calendar on CommunityNet Aotearoa - so you'll have one less place to check when you want to know about community sector related events. Instead of maintaining a separate calendar on their website, OCVS will now add events to CommunityNet Aotearoa and also list additional events they hear about that the organisers have not found time to load themselves.
View the events calendar on CommunityNet Aotearoa now….
Laura Benedict, Ian Axford Fellow at OCVS and Philanthropy NZ, shared her observations about social lending in Aotearoa New Zealand. Laura first spoke at the ANGOA Roundtable in March at the beginning of her Fellowship and told us about her experience helping run a large social lender in the US. She sought feedback on her study and undertook to report back in August. Laura's email: benedictlaura1959@gmail.com
Laura's handout is on the ANGOA website under "Presentations from the 11 August 2010 Roundtable" at www.angoa.org.nz
The Millennium Development Goals were designed around problems we already have the solutions to; we know how to solve these problems - all we need is political support and resources to fund the programs to make them a reality. The proposed Robin Hood Tax or Financial Transaction Tax is a tiny fee on the trade in financial transactions - paid by banks, not by people - and it would raise billions of dollars for fighting poverty and climate change at home and around the world. Its implementation would mean that we could meet the global Millennium Development Goals. The Group of 20, a group of finance ministers and central bankers from the 20 biggest economies in the world, has the power to make this happen.
Oxfam and NZCTU are among supportive organisations in NZ: Sarah covered a general overview, examples and the context in terms of the global financial crisis, and why it is important as an innovative mechanism for raising scalable levels of finance for climate change and food security/agriculture.
Bill Rosenberg addressed some of the economics and financial aspects.
Email addresses: Sarah.Meads@oxfam.org.nzbillr@nzctu.org.nz Both presentations are on the ANGOA website under "Presentations from the 11 August 2010 Roundtable" at www.angoa.org.nz
David recently met with Minister of Revenue Peter Dunne and his Revenue Advisor Olivia Williams to discuss issues around the Charities Commission, and will report. davidjrobinson@xtra.co.nz
A group from ComVoices also met recently with Charities Commission Chief Executive Trevor Garrett.
These brief reports led to a brief discussion, but time for a full discussion has been set aside at the next Roundtable, on 8 September. Attendees are encouraged to read the Commission's Decision document re National Council of Women, so the September discussion can be an informed one. See the decision at:
http://www.charities.govt.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=k6Xi%2b%2fz2fQw%3d&tabid=250
This interactive workshop designed to assist your organisation to build cultural competency in staff. The programme will also be useful for engaging with Maori generally, and will benefit non-Maori researchers who are researching Maori. The programme will give an overview of useful Maori language, practical advice on integrating bi-lingual strategies into your work, insight into some fundamental Maori cultural beliefs, as well as practical advice on how to engage with Maori.
Facilitated by Tania Te Whenua (Tuhoe/Te Whakatohea, BA/LLB, Partner AwaWhenua Consultants; Board Member Global Focus Aotearoa; Volunteer Legal Advisor Wellington Community Law Centre)
Venue: Level 3, James Smith Building, Cnr Cuba and Manners Sts, Wellington
Date: Tue 26 Oct and Thur 28 Oct, 9am - 12noon
Fee: $395 (excl GST); 25% discount applies for community organisations, students and beneficiaries
Enrol by downloading the enrolment formor contact AwaWhenua directly to enrol online.
Catherine Delahunty, Green Party Member of Parliament, in association with ComVoices, a coalition of organisations in the Tangata Whenua, community and voluntary sector, invite you to attend a Parliamentary Breakfast event: Thursday 23 September 2010; 7.30am; Banquet Hall, Parliament Buildings
Speaker: Martin J. Cowling, CEO of People First - Total Solutions Australia, will speak about:
"Our million plus volunteers - do we take them for granted?"
RSVPs are essential - to rsvp@ideasshop.co.nzbefore Thursday 16 September 2010. This is a ComVoices funded event with a $20 charge. You must RSVP to be admitted to Parliament.
Martin Cowling is the founder and CEO of Melbourne's People First -Total Solutions, an international consulting and training firm focused on volunteer engagement, strategic planning, and board development.
Monday, 27 September from 12.15 - 1.30pm in the Large Gallery, Turnbull House, Bowen St, Wellington.
Guest Speaker is Stephen Hay: "Building Tomorrow's Service Organisations out of Today's"
Stephen Hay of People and Process will lead this engaging discussion on how an unrelenting focus on efficiency has distorted the value creation logic of service organisations, with long-lasting and unintended consequences. Starting with a description of how we got ourselves into the current situation, he will propose two alternative logics that provide a foundation for building the service organisations of the future.
Stephen Hay is the Executive Director of People and Process and is an accomplished consultant, speaker and educator who helps large service organisations consistently and continually exceed stakeholder expectations. He uses a holistic, participatory process and involves people at all levels of an organisation, from shop floor to board.
For more information about Stephen and People and Process go to: http://www.peopleandprocess.com/
Cost: New Zealand Futures Trust members: $5 Non- NZFT members: $15. Please register your interest by Thursday 23 September 2010: Ph: Yvonne 04 383 5080, e-mail: info@futurestrust.org.nz
Following the Good engagement seminar organized by OCVS, an edited version of the Office of Ethnic Affairs powerpoint is now available at:
http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/work-programme/building-good-practice/good-practice-in-action/index.html
To see the power point link, go to the pageand click on "Meaningful and authentic engagement with ethnic communities"
Thanks to OCVS for organizing this session, and to Grant Aldridge, Communications Advisor at OCVS.
Keep up-to-date with news about government and the community and voluntary sector via the OCVS e-newsletter.
Visit our websites to learn even more:
www.ocvs.govt.nz
www.goodpracticeparticipate.govt.nz
www.goodpracticefunding.govt.nz
www.keepingitlegal.net.nz
Over the last few weeks, the ACDA Establishment group has been working on a number of key initiatives to ensure that community development is part of the new Auckland Council from November 1. Collectively, we have a short, yet critical window to influence, promote, and seek/get commitments from prospective local body politicians. Here's what we're working on:
Auckland Community Development Charter:Later this week, we will be circulating a draft Charter for comments and feedback. We'll be using this simple, one page document to encourage Mayoral and Auckland Council candidates to sign up and commit their support for Community Development. There will be a very fast turn around for feedback…so watch this space!
Questions for Candidates:we're also developing a set of key community development questions that will be put to Mayoral Candidates and Auckland Council candidates. We will publish their responses on the ACDA website www.acda.org.nz You may also wish to amend these questions locally and seek responses from Local Board candidates too.
Briefing Leading Mayoral Candidates:we now have briefing times to meet with Mayors Banks and Brown on September 9th. We will use this time to present both the Auckland Community Development Charter and key messages about the Mayor and the new Mayoral Office can support community development in Auckland.
Pre-Election Forum:we are supporting the pre-election forum on social issues planned with Mayoral Candidates on Wednesday 27 September, 2010 from 12.00pm to 2.00pm at the Otahuhu Town Hall Community Centre, 10-16 High Street, Otahuhu. See http://www.acda.org.nz/forum2
We are also hoping to prepare a briefing for the incoming Council on community development - from a regional communities perspective of course! And are hoping to have a further ACDA regional forum in November where we can be introduced to new Auckland Councillors tasked with community development linked portfolios.
For more information: info@acda.org.nz
Government and philanthropic funders throughout the world are in the process of encouraging all not-for-profit community organizations to transition to being outcomes-focused organizations. This is part of the new emphasis funders are putting on achieving outcomes and being result-based. Up until now many not-for-profit community organizations have tended to report to their funders only on outputs because these are easier to specify than outcomes. Outputs are specific goods and services produced by an organization whereas outcomes are the improvements in the community which those goods and services are trying to bring about.
However, most not-for-profit and community organizations have always been interested in improving outcomes for the people and communities they serve. The three practical issues they now face are, firstly how, within the limited resources typically available to them, they can transition to being increasingly outcomes-focused. Secondly, how they can easily and efficiently prove to their funders that they are being outcomes-focused. Third, how they can do this without falling into the trap of offering to be accountable for high-level community-level outcomes that are outside of their control.
To read the full article: Duignan, P. (2010). How a not-for-profit community organization can transition to being outcomes-focused and results-based - A case study. Outcomes Theory Knowledge Base Article No. 278. (http://knol.google.com/k/paul-duignan-phd/how-a-not-for-profit-community/2m7zd68aaz774/156) or (http://tinyurl.com/otheory278).
On 17 September in Wellington Development Action will be celebrating the fact it is open for business! Lee Sentes, Claire-Louise McCurdy, Amanda Holdaway and Aileen Davidson are pleased to announce a formal launch date for Development Action, a new venture to provide professional advice and services to the civil society sector in New Zealand Aotearoa (and beyond!).
"Many of you will have interacted with us during our time at the Council for International Development and through the old KOHA-PICD and HAF funding streams. Following the restructuring of CID and NZAID's funding, we made a promise to keep engaged with the sector, and we see the launching of Development Action as keeping our promise" says Lee.
The team are inviting interested people to join in an informal gathering where they'll outline how they plan to grow great organisations: 4-6pm on 17 September, 2010 at the Centre for Global Action meeting rooms, 2nd Floor James Smith Building Wellington (where the CID offices are located) RSVP to lee@developmentaction.co.nz.
Otherwise, feel free to contact Development Action for help with:
The website will be up very soon (www.developmentaction.co.nz), but the email and phone work perfectly, so drop them a line: Development Action - Growing Great Organisations; Phone: 021 114 7962 Skype: development.action
Hon Ruth Dyson, Labour Spokesperson on Health, is inviting participation in these forums as part of a comprehensive review of Labour's Health policy, looking forward to next year's election. There will be expert speakers and discussions of the areas of health promotion, child and adolescent health, specific disadvantaged populations, quality and safety issues, equity and sustainability, primary care, mental health, workforce development, and funding.
Thesessions run 9am to 5pm, and while some people will attend both, for the full day, Ms Dyson is aware many people will only be able to come for part of the time.
The Auckland session is Friday 10 September at Ferndale House, 830 new North Rd, Mt Albert
The Wellington session is Friday 17 September at Parliament Room 3.034
For catering purposes please rsvp by 6 September to 04 817 9768 or to Marie.Davis@parliament.govt.nz
The VNZ Conference Planning Committee wishes to invite abstracts for presentations, workshops and posters at Conference 2011, Raising the Bar, which will be held in Wellington on 23 and 24 May 2011.
The conference, hosted by Volunteering NZ, will celebrate a significant year for the volunteering world. 2011 will be marked internationally as the International Year of the Volunteer Plus 10 and is a great opportunity for us to reflect on what has been achieved in the decade since 2001.
The Conference will have two key themes. It will be an opportunity to review progress and consider next steps in the development of the management of volunteer programmes and of the profession as a whole. Given 2011 will see the single largest New Zealand event volunteer programme for the Rugby World Cup, the other stream will focus on episodic and event volunteering.
The template for submission of Abstracts can also be accessed from the VNZ website here. As it is important to develop the programme at an early date, the deadline for submitting the abstracts is Monday 27 September 2010.
Tim Burns, Volunteering New Zealand: ed@volunteeringnz.org.nzWeb: www.volunteeringnz.org.nz
A special carved baton, unveiled during Raksha Bandhan festival on 29 August at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland, celebrates the infallible bond of universal fellowship and venerates womanhood.
Tane Singh-Lagah of Maori and Indian descent, a carver/artist from Ngongotaha, Rotorua has carved a baton symbolising unity among various communities. Tane is from Ngati Awa & Ngati Tumatawera on his mother's side and Tuhoe & Indian on his father's side. He was attracted by the inter-cultural festivals and Hindu-Maori bonding in Rotorua.
"I was really touched by the Hindu-Maori whakawhanaungatanga during Rotorua Deepawali festival" he added.
Tane approached Dr Guna Magesan, the General Secretary of Hindu Council of New Zealand, suggesting he would like to contribute to enhance Hindu-Maori kinship. An opportunity arose when the Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations (HOTA) Forum announced the celebration of Raksha Bandhan festival. Each year this festival is hosted by one of the members of HOTA Forum. The host of the HOTA forum will keep the baton for that year.
Tane Singh-Lagah was pleased that the Hindu Council of New Zealand approached him to carve the baton.
"When I saw the design, I knew it will be challenging but I accepted it readily because I want to do something for Indian community to find out little about my Indian side" said Tane.
The Hindu Council of New Zealand has been working with Maori community for more than 12 years and has come across a number of Indo-Maori people in New Zealand. "We would like Indo-Maori people to feel proud of their heritage - both Indian and Maori" said Dr Guna Magesan.
A report on social housing in New Zealand has found the current model will struggle to meet future demands.
The report, Home and Housed: A Vision for Social Housing in New Zealand, was compiled by the Housing Shareholders' Advisory Group, set up in February by the Ministers of Finance and Housing to provide independent advice to the Government on the effective and efficient delivery of state housing to those most in need.
The seven-member group was chaired by Dr Alan Jackson, a director of Fletcher Building. Members were Major Campbell Roberts (Salvation Army), Diane Robertson (Auckland City Mission), Andrew Body (investment banker), Brian Donnelly (New Zealand Housing Foundation), Paul White (iwi development advisor) and Martin Udale (property consultant).
Dr Jackson says the Group found significant issues around the provision of housing and its ability to match current and future tenants' needs, the current model's capacity to respond to these needs, and constraints on Crown expenditure. "The environment is rapidly changing. New Zealand faces a growing shortage of affordable homes which in turn is causing problems in social and state housing. "Increasingly there are a number of people who are most in need of state housing who are not getting it when and where they need it. Family and household types are changing and state housing is often in the wrong place, of the wrong type and the wrong quality to meet people's needs," he said. "New Zealand is lucky in that our social housing system is better positioned than that in many countries. However, it is under increasing pressure and the current system does not have the flexibility to deal with this.
"There is no one magic bullet but one of the things missing in New Zealand, compared to overseas, is a substantial level of third party provision of social housing. We have a model of state housing that hasn't changed greatly from the 1940s so there aren't the options available to meet the variety of needs now and to help people move from state housing to home ownership. "Simply, we think we need a new approach. To provide more housing options for people we need more providers. For example, this means developing community sector participation in new ways."
The Group has made 19 recommendations it believes will help ensure New Zealanders and their families have access to state and affordable housing in the future. The Group will now engage with the wider sector and report back to the Government later in the year. To view a copy of their report, terms of reference or profiles of the members of the Housing Shareholders' Advisory Group visit: www.dbh.govt.nz/vision-for-social-housing-nz
Community Housing Aotearoa, New Zealand's peak body for NGO housing providers, welcomed the report but expressed some concerns. "From comments made today and from our first reading of the business case for securing a new direction, is the premise that our sector will not necessarily be receiving any new investment of funds to prepare for the changes and period of transition that are being proposed. "The expectation that NGO housing organisations can increase their share of the social housing sector to 20% in the space of five years will be a challenge, but it is a target that we view positively and that we will be doing our best to work together with other partners to achieve", said CHA Executive Director David McCartney. director@communityhousing.org.nz
The Association of Non-Government Organisations of Aotearoa is an independent nonprofit incorporated society, supported by an anonymous Family Trust. We receive no funding from Government other than for specific projects, and we sincerely thank the Trust for the independence it gives us. Contributions for specific projects have been gratefully received from the JR McKenzie Trust, the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Ministry of Economic Development and Lottery Grants Board.
ANGOA Membership - If you are an NGO you are Welcome to Join!
Subscriptions are an important component of support for ANGOA's work, helping us remain independent of Government. An Application and Renewal form can be requested from the Coordinator, or printed from the website. Membership is open to any NGO supporting the objects of ANGOA and willing to pay the specified fee ($50). Organisations and individuals who do not qualify as members but who support ANGOA's aims are welcome to make a donation, and may receive many of the materials ANGOA produces. We thank you warmly for your support.
The Membership Form can be found on the ANGOA website: www.angoa.org.nzunder the heading 'Joining ANGOA'.
Website, and Postal Address
More information is available from the ANGOA Coordinator, dave.henderson@angoa.org.nzor from the website www.angoa.org.nz The site includes past newsletters for the Community and Voluntary Sector Roundtable and the Community and Voluntary Sector Research Forum. Postal address: PO Box 24 243, Manners Street, Wellington.
This newsletter is produced by ANGOA, the Association of NGOs of Aotearoa. All the information is intended to assist readers pursuing an interest in matters relating to the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. An effort is made within available resources to ensure accuracy but no guarantee is given or implied. If you have contributions, comments or suggestions, please forward them to dave.henderson@angoa.org.nz. We thank you warmly for your support, and hope to see you at these forums!
Dave Henderson
ANGOA Coordinator
Email: dave.henderson@angoa.org.nz
Phone and fax: (04) 972-7708
PO Box 24 243, Thorndon, Wellington
This message is produced by ANGOA, the Association of NGOs of Aotearoa. All the information is intended to assist readers pursuing an interest in matters relating to research in the community and voluntary sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. An effort is made within available resources to ensure accuracy but no guarantee is given or implied. If you have contributions, comments or suggestions, please forward them to dave.henderson@angoa.org.nz
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