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Media Release - Sir Edmund Hillary – the spirit of giving
International Volunteer Day - 5 December
Community sector's foresight results in hard data
Mahi Aroha
International conference paper
Defining the Non-Profit Sector: New Zealand published
International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day
Funding and sustainability focus of NZFVWO's New Dialogue
E-Govt online participation project steering group established
Charity registration has begun
Volunteering Research
Read speeches and media releases from the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
Read the latest e-newsletter from the OCVS
Media Release - Sir Edmund Hillary – the spirit of giving
“My life has been a constant effort to illustrate how a very mediocre person with very mediocre talents, which I have, can create quite a lot if they really drive themselves.” Sir Edmund Hillary.
» Read more about Sir Edmund Hillary – the spirit of giving
International Volunteer Day - 5 December
International Volunteer Day (IVD) is the time to celebrate New Zealand's volunteers. IVD blends publicity about the huge contribution volunteers make to society with events and activities to recognise volunteers. Some voluntary organisations choose to present certificates or awards to loyal volunteers, while others host special morning teas to show their appreciation. The ways of celebrating IVD and acknowledging the hard work of volunteers are as varied as the volunteers themselves.
» Read more about International Volunteer Day
Community sector's foresight results in hard data
The publication of the Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait!
The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) thanks all those who helped bring the publication to fruition. In particular, the OCVS acknowledges the important role the community and voluntary sector played in this long journey.
Five years ago, the Community Trusts brought Lester Salamon, the head of the Centre for Civil Society at Johns Hopkins University, to New Zealand and from there they persisted until they were successful with their goal of getting New Zealand to join the International Comparative Study of the Non-Profit Sector. Their ability to look to the future and to appreciate the importance of collecting this information together in one place is to their credit, and epitomises one of the real strengths of the non-profit sector.
We thank the community and voluntary sector for initiating this opportunity to join together with government to better understand the economic contribution of non-profit insititutions, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration and co-operation as our knowledge grows.
Mahi Aroha
A new report, Mahi Aroha: Māori Perspectives on Volunteering and Cultural Obligations, was launched by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban on 30 April 2007.
» Read the Minister's press release on her website
» Download a copy of the report - PDF (892kb)
» Order a hard copy from ocvs@msd.govt.nz
International conference paper
OCVS Policy Analyst, Kat Paton, highlighted New Zealand's efforts to encourage community participation at the IAVE World Conference in India in late 2006. Kat's presentation highlighted collaborative examples such as OCVS’s ongoing work with the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations and Volunteering NZ, and the work underway to address the lack of data on volunteering in New Zealand. Her paper also tackled definitions of volunteering and how these may impact on government policies and practice.
Defining the Non-Profit Sector: New Zealand published
This significant research paper, has been published by Johns Hopkins University as part of its series from around the world. As well as being a significant milestone for the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector project, the paper captures the diversity, origins, and challenges of this vital sector of New Zealand society.
» Read more about the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector or download the document.
International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day
1 November is the special day to recognise the skilled professionals responsible for the coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment of the world's volunteers.
» Visit http://www.ivmaday.org or contact the Australasian Association of Volunteer Managers to find out more.
Funding and sustainability focus of NZFVWO's New Dialogue
The latest issue of New Dialogue magazine features "A few thoughts on Funding the Community and Voluntary Sector', by Katherine Baxter, General Manager, Social Inclusion and Participation (SIP) Unit, Ministry of Social Development. The OCVS is part of SIP and the article includes an OCVS diagram of the funding continuum from unconditional grants to classical contracting.
» Check out the issue online or explore other government funding topics at www.goodpracticefunding.govt.nz.
E-Govt online participation project steering group established
OCVS Director, Brenda Ratcliff, has joined the reference group to advise and assist the Online Participation project. The project is to develop a State Services framework to improve the opportunity for people to participate in government through the use of information and communication technology. Participation includes making government information available to people in accessible and relevant ways, and creating opportunities for people to be actively involved in the design and delivery of government policies and services.
The project is being managed by Laura Sommer at the State Services Commission. Laura is establishing a 'community of practice' (made up of interested people from business, the community, government and academia) to help shape the framework for online participation. The thoughts and ideas of the community of practice will be sought as the project progresses. To find out more about the online participation project or become part of the community of practice, contact Laura Sommer on 04 495 6674 or e-mail laura.sommer@ssc.govt.nz
As part of the project, David Hume is also undertaking in-depth research with a small sample of 'regular' New Zealanders. These individuals will provide basic information in an activity workbook, participate in an hour-long interview and a group discussion, and complete an exit survey on the process. If you, or someone you know, is interested in being part of the research sample, contact David on 04 495 6727 or e-mail david.hume@ssc.govt.nz. He'll be able to explain more, before you commit yourself to involvement.
» To find out more about e-Government.
» To check out your current options to have your say or use your imagination to 'Explore Parliament'.
Charity registration has begun
Registration of charities under the new Charities Act began in February 2007. The Charities Commission register will provide members of the public with more information about the nature, activities and purposes of charities in New Zealand, so they can make informed donations to charity. While registration with the Charities Commission is voluntary, existing charitable organisations need to register before 1 July 2008 to continue to qualify for income tax and gift duty exemptions.
A Guide to the Charities Act is available on the Charities Commission website.
» Go to the Charities Commission website
Volunteering Research
OCVS and Volunteering New Zealand are compiling an inventory of all New Zealand research that looks at volunteering activities. This inventory may result in a volunteering research forum to identify gaps and priorities in the research areas.