Issue 26 - 4 August 2009

The Building Better Government Engagement (BBGE) reference group released its report From Talk to Action: Engagement with Citizens and Communities on 31 July after submitting it to the OCVS and the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.  

The report is the follow-up to the BBGE group’s discussion document It’s More than Talk, which explored options for building engagement skills, knowledge and values in the public service.

From Talk to Action lays out challenges for the community and government to achieve effective engagement and trusting, respectful relationships.

The report states that active engaged citizens are core to addressing societal issues, and the benefits of effective engagement will include strengthened public trust in government, greater government transparency, enhanced civic capacity to contribute to decision-making, and polices based on better information and wider consensus.

Recommendations in the report call for:

• high level government commitments to engagement
• the development of accountability mechanisms
• better co-ordination and collaboration
• more capability building to improve skills within the public service
• greater consideration of diversity and support for community-led development.

The next step is now up to the OCVS and Minister Turia. The Minister, in discussion with her colleagues, is developing a formal response to From Talk to Action and Good Intentions (the recent report from ANGOA on ways to improve the community-government relationship).  Once finalised and agreed, the OCVS will communicate what actions will be initiated in response to community feedback.

OCVS Director, Alasdair Finnie welcomed the report, saying “it is a comprehensive contribution to the debate on this important subject, and provides some clear direction on what is needed to change the status quo.”

» Download From Talk to Action: Government Engagement with Citizens and Communities

» Minister Turia welcomed the BBGE report in a media statement

Since the deadline for consultation on It’s More Than Talk passed at the end of March 2009, the BBGE reference group has worked through all the feedback received on the discussion document. 

This was not an easy task.  While many proposed recommendations met with almost unanimous support from contributors and some had no support whatsoever, other content in It's More Than Talk generated a range of sometimes conflicting responses.

These fresh ideas and different perspectives were exactly what the BBGE group wanted from the consultation process, but the variety of responses meant the group had to work carefully through their revisions to accommodate broader perspectives and new ideas wherever possible. Discussions were challenging but enriching, as the group re-examined the parameters of the BBGE project, revisited what they'd identified as key issues, and considered what actions would make the most significant positive differences. 

The group was encouraged that so many people were passionate about the topic of community engagement and were keen to offer input into how the current situation could be improved.

The group has summarised the feedback from the face-to-face workshops and the Bang the Table website in an additional document entitled Talkback. It includes the BBGE group's preliminary responses to the feedback, which were developed further in the group’s final report.

» Download Talkback: Feedback on the discussion document It’s More Than Talk

» See a list of the members of the BBGE group

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Tariana Turia, will host a national Community-Government Forum on 11 November in Wellington. Arrangements are not yet confirmed, but the event will be an opportunity for government to hear the voices of the community, and allow government to discuss specific actions in response to ANGOA’s report Good Intentions - An Assessment of the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship and From Talk to Action: Government Engagement with Citizens and Communities – the new report from the Building Better Government Engagement reference group.

The OCVS is convening a steering group of community stakeholders to help organise the forum and begin planning the programme and invitation list. If you wish to be considered as a possible attendee, you can e-mail Iris Webster in the OCVS (iris.webster002@msd.govt.nz). Numbers will be limited and will need to balance a range of representation from different localities, sub-sectors and population groups, so not all those who wish to attend will be able to.

It is anticipated that schedules will allow the Prime Minister and a number of other government Ministers to attend part of the day-long event in order to hear directly from community stakeholders and non-profit organisations. Relevant government agency representatives are also likely to attend.

The event will be a further step towards building strong and trusting community-government relationships.

» Read the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship

» Download Good Intentions - An Assessment of the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship

» Download From Talk to Action: Government Engagement with Citizens and Communities

The 2009 Regional Funders Forums series concluded on 24 July. A collaboration between the OCVS and Philanthropy New Zealand (PNZ), with support from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), the forums were hosted by PNZ network members in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

The forums considered how funders can best support the community sector during the recession and had two main aims.

• To update regional philanthropic and government funders on international trends amongst philanthropists in response to the recession.
• To workshop how funders might respond to meet local needs.

The forums revealed a wide variety of funding situations round the country. While there has been highly publicised coverage of funders, such as the ASB Community Trust, that have had to reduce or delay funding decisions due to lower investment returns - it was reassuring to hear that other funders, such as the Community Trust of Southland, have been able to hold grant levels at the same level as 2008, or even increase grants in 2009.

» For the latest update on ASB Community Trust – see their 3 August funding announcement made at Auckland’s Orakei Marae: A grants budget of $23.7m announced for the 2010 financial year.

» See guidance on ways funders and government agencies can help communities during the recession

» Read about the origins of the regional funders forums, which began in 2007

In July, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister, the Hon. Tariana Turia, announced a $25,000 boost for the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Research Centre so it can continue to share knowledge across the community sector.

“I recognise the value of collaboration and community based research. And it is important there is an independent resource for community sector researchers to share their knowledge with the wider sector,” Mrs Turia said.

"Strong communities share connections and by keeping research information fresh it can assist them to plan for a sustainable future.”

The funding will assist the research centre to operate a website clearing house for research in the non-profit sector. The website is a central place where community researchers can upload their research papers, hold completed research and maintain a list of research projects planned or in progress.

This research acts as a foundation for the work that community and voluntary organisations do. It can indicate what works best, and Mrs Turia encouraged the 97,000 community and voluntary organisations to share research and use the website.

» Visit the research centre’s website at www.communityresearch.org.nz 

In June, the OCVS hosted and facilitated meetings for Dr. Jenny Gordon and Commissioners Robert Fitzgerald and Dennis Trewin from the Australian Productivity Commission. The purpose of the visit was to explore New Zealand’s community-government relationship and how our regulatory and tax environment affects non-profit organisations. The Commissioners noted that New Zealand has seen significantly more research and progress in these areas than in Australia, so were keen to learn from the New Zealand experience.

The Australian Productivity Commission was mandated in March 2009 by the Rudd Government to conduct research focusing on “improving the measurement of the sector's contributions and removing obstacles to maximising its contributions to society”.

Meetings were held with senior representatives from the community and voluntary sector, Charities Commission, Ministry of Social Development (specifically staff directly involved in funding non-profit organisations), OCVS and Statistics NZ. The significant resources and scope of the Commission’s brief is likely to provide useful information for policy development in New Zealand.

» Read about ways to improve productivity in New Zealand

» Read more about the Australian programme online

» Read about NZ’s Study of the Non-Profit Sector and download the associated reports

There is currently a Bill before Parliament – the Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill – that will provide employers with another avenue to get in behind their employees and our communities through a before-tax payroll giving system.

A before-tax payroll giving system will enable employees to make regular financial contributions from their gross pay to philanthropic and charitable causes and receive an immediate tax benefit on their donations at each payday.

With such a system in place, giving becomes a whole lot easier as employees won’t be required to retain receipts and file end of year rebate claim forms. It will be a voluntary scheme for both employers and employees, so now is a good time to start spreading the word, to encourage your workplace to consider taking it up when the legislation is passed.

In anticipation of the Bill being passed, the OCVS is working with Inland Revenue on developing a ‘communication and assistance plan for charitable giving initiatives’. Inland Revenue is taking the lead role in developing information for employers and the OCVS is developing a plan to communicate the tax changes through community and voluntary sector networks.

This same Bill clarifies the law relating to the tax treatment of honoraria for voluntary work and the reimbursement of volunteers’ expenses. This will make life easier for both volunteers and community organisations who often incur unnecessary compliance costs in trying to understand their tax obligations.

These proposed changes come on top of earlier tax changes relating to donations, which removed the cap on the amount that people could claim for donations made to charities.

» Monitor progress as the Bill’s second reading works its way up Parliament’s Order Paper

» Read about the donor tax credit changes now in effect - and claim your tax credit

» Download and print Inland Revenue’s one-page Tax benefits of making donations guide for donee organisations

» Donor rebate adds gloss to giving – NZ Herald article

» Don’t wait – give your time, goods or services via the DonateNZ website

» Give money direct to your chosen charity or via the Givealittle website, where 95% of your donation goes directly to your choice

» Read Minister Turia’s media release following negative publicity about donations to the Epilepsy Foundation

» Check out Philanthropy New Zealand's giving guide

» Find out more about your chosen charity on the Charities Commission's register

If you have an event, conference or meeting related to community or voluntary issues, you are welcome to send a brief description of the activity to us at ocvs@msd.govt.nz for inclusion in our email updates.

Analysis of media coverage of June’s Volunteer Awareness Week (VAW) indicates a 30% increase in media activity from 2008 to 2009.

Although the media search conducted by OCVS does not capture all news stories and press releases, eighty-nine separate items were identified in 2009, compared to sixty-seven in 2008. While some news releases were not picked up by print media, they were still available over the Internet.

The news releases show an increased number of organisations making the effort to promote the contribution of their volunteers. This is possibly partly the result of media training conducted by ComVoices over recent years. (ComVoices is an independent network of 26 tangata whenua and leading national community and voluntary organisations, established to promote the contribution of the sector to New Zealand society.)

Some news stories were initiated by a voluntary organisation or government agency/Minister, but in other cases the media’s editorial teams seemed to proactively seek stories and photographs.  While a few daily newspapers had less coverage than 2008, others (such as the Dominion Post through its daily Unsung Hero profiles), showed a marked increase. Stories mainly featured individuals doing great work in their communities. There were also stories acknowledging the importance of volunteers during the recession, and others that picked up on the youth focus emphasised by Volunteering New Zealand.

Since 2001, VAW stories show significant increases in terms of regions covered, range of publications and different organisations mentioned. The stories and publications are now listed on the OCVS website so others interested in the promotion of volunteering can gauge the progress made since the International Year of Volunteers in 2001.             

» See links to some of the media coverage of Volunteer Awareness Week 2009 and previous years

» Find a volunteering opportunity online at the Volunteer Now website

» Learn more about ComVoices

In July, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector announced that $420,000 had been allocated to 17 community organisations so they could employ skilled interns from the government, private and community sectors.

The Community Internship Programme has given non-profit and grassroots organisations throughout the country the ability to engage skilled professionals as interns for three to six months – helping to improve understanding and collaboration among the three sectors.

About 50 per cent of the approved internships are public servants in central and local government. The community organisations that received funding work in a range of fields - environmental, cultural, mental health, social services and education.

Minister Turia encouraged other community organisations needing help to develop and grow to apply for the programme in the 2009/10 funding round, which closes on 14 September. Applicants can choose the skills they are looking for and also the specific person they want to work with them.

Grants from the Community Internship Programme allow non-profit community organisations to pay the salaries of staff with high-level skills to work as interns, helping community groups to improve their services, to plan strategically and become more effective.

Up to $581,000 is available for the 2009/10 funding round. The actual number of internships awarded will depend on the salary amount each intern receives from their usual employer and the length of the internship.

» View a list of successful 2008/09 applicants on the Department of Internal Affairs website

» Find out how your community group can apply for funding from the Community Internship Programme    

Judy Owen is the new training support adviser for The Community Archive at Archives NZ www.thecommunityarchive.org.nz.

Judy’s role includes:

• providing contributors with advice and training so they can get their material into The Community Archive and manage it once it is registered
• promotion of The Community Archive to encourage new and existing contributors to list their material on the system
• promotion of the system as a tool for researchers.

Any community group can upload information to The Community Archive so their origins and past achievements are captured for many others to share, and learn from their experiences.

» Contact Judy via help@thecommunityarchive.org.nz or by phone (04) 894-6023

» The Community Archive is at: www.thecommunityarchive.org.nz

» Learn from four helpful archive publications at www.archives.govt.nz./communityarchives/publications.php

CommunityCentral is an online space for people in tangata whenua, community and voluntary, public health and other organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand to work together, share and converse online.

Up and running for several months, CommunityCentral has now entered a new phase – enabling members to:

• upload and share files
• talk with others
• write and edit simple documents
• receive emails about changes to each group.

Several discussion networks are already up and running, and private workspaces have been set up to facilitate collaboration between community organisations and help them work together online – membership of the workspaces is by invitation. Each online group can record its own ground rules or use CommunityCentral’s generic ones. Organisers interested in learning about online facilitation, can access a range of links to useful resources.

» See the discussion networks on CommunityCentral and join in those of interest www.communitycentral.org.nz

• From Talk to Action: Engagement with Citizens and Communities - the final report and recommendations from the Building Better Government Engagement (BBGE) reference group.
  » See story # 1 above

• Talkback: Feedback on the Discussion Document It’s More Than Talk – response from the Building Better Government Engagement (BBGE) reference group.
  » See story # 2 above

• NZ Council of Christian Social Services' first Vulnerability Report shows recession's community impact on NGO services.
  The Vulnerability Report will actively monitor the level of economic and social hardship experienced by a growing number of New Zealanders. It brings together the most current government statistics in one place, and puts these alongside the latest snapshots and statistics from community based organisations.
  » Read the report online

• Into the Future: Shared Services in the New Zealand Not-for-Profit Sector - A report prepared for Raeburn House.
  This 2008 report explores six different models of shared services in the not-for-profit sector:
  - the umbrella model
  - the co-location model
  - the collaboration or partnership model
  - mixed models, based around existing organisations
  - mixed models, focused around new organisations
  - other initiatives
  » Download this report online

• Advice for NGOs on how to respond to the flu pandemic.
  Family and Community Services – a service line of the Ministry of Social Development – in consultation with the NGO community and the Ministry of Health, has prepared a resource that provides organisations with practical information about how to respond to an influenza pandemic both individually and from an organisational perspective.
  » Download the pandemic planning resource

• Settling In Evaluation Report.
  Settling In currently operates in 11 regions throughout New Zealand: Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Palmerston North, Tauranga, and Christchurch. Although each region has developed Settling In slightly differently, there are three common goals: collaboration, social inclusion, and capacity and capability building. Settling In co-ordinators work directly with members of refugee and migrant communities. They also act as an intermediary between these communities and the wider host community. The 2008 Evaluation Report prepared by the Ministry of Social Development's Centre for Social Research and Evaluation (CSRE) provided a chance to identify the programme's challenges and areas of improvement.
  » Download the Settling In report

• Culturally Competent Practice - A Training Manual for Professionals Working with Refugees, Migrants and People from Diverse Backgrounds – by Dr Love Chile, AUT.
  » Read more about the book
  » See what the Race Relations Commissioner says about it

• Presentations from Social and Civic Policy Institute’s July Community Governance workshop.
  This was the first in a planned series of events on community-based planning and community governance. The events are an opportunity for active citizens, as represented by residents associations, marae committees, community houses and similar organisations, to share their stories of working within their communities for positive change and help in building a new, community-oriented, policy framework.
  » View the July presentations online at www.scpi.org.nz

• Hutt Valley Community Profile.
  The profile, which covers Hutt City and Upper Hutt City districts, reflects a joint Local Services Mapping (LSM) community planning process that is used to identify ways to improve the effectiveness of social services in the Hutt Valley. 
  » Download the Hutt Valley report
  » Check to see if a community profile is available for your area

• Youth Opportunities Package announced by Prime Minister in August 2009.
  The Youth Opportunities Package aims to create new work, education and training opportunities for unemployed young people. It includes Community Max, which targets unskilled 16-24 year olds with low or no qualifications whose chances of getting work are limited. Community Max consists of $40.3 million of funding to support up to 3,000 places on community projects for young people. Community Max provides an opportunity for communities to play a part in addressing the serious issue of youth unemployment - while gaining funds for useful community projects. Communities, through local councils, the Mayors Taskforce, iwi, and Pacific groups will be asked to identify regional projects for their young people to work on.
  » Read more about the Youth Opportunities Package and Community Max online

• Arts on Sunday - Radio NZ programme discusses funding.
  Te Papa National Services General Manager, Tracy Puklowski along with representatives from ASB Trust, and Creative NZ talked to Lucy Orbell from Arts on Sunday about what funders are looking for.
  » Listen to the 5 July interview on Radio New Zealand
  » Download He Rauemi Resource Guide 2: ‘Tapping into funding sources’
  » Find out about Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi grants for the museum sector
  » Check out the Cultural Funding Guide

• Report on Vote Community and Voluntary Sector presented to Social Services Select Committee - July 2009.
  Vote Community and Voluntary Sector is used to purchase the administration of grants, community advisory services, and policy advice from the Department of Internal Affairs, and includes funding for the Charities Commission. While the Department of Internal Affairs administers the Vote, the Ministry of Social Development also provides support for the sector through the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector.
  » Download the 2009/10 Estimates for Vote Community and Voluntary Sector report

• Secretary for Treasury's speech on public sector performance.
  Delivered on 20 July to a Victoria University School of Government seminar, this speech by Secretary John Whitehead warns that the public service would fail the New Zealand public if it doesn’t abandon its traditional comfort zone, lift its productivity and do things differently and more efficiently.
  » Read the speech on the Treasury website

• State Services Minister’s speech to State Services Senior Leaders Development Conference outlines government priorities and challenges – July 2009.
  » Read the Hon Tony Ryall’s speech online

• Getting more for less: Efficiency in the public sector – Demos, United Kingdom.
  This report argues that the route to public sector efficiency is to focus on effectiveness. Effective services are personalised - driven by people's needs. They take aim at the cause of problems rather than the consequences, and they are delivered collaboratively. Services driven by these principles result in better outcomes for citizens, a better quality of service, and happier staff. They also save money because getting things right the first time always works out cheaper.
  » Download the report from the Demos website

• Supporting volunteering by civil servants – United Kingdom.
  The final report from the British Prime Minister's volunteering champion Baroness Neuberger is on employer-supported volunteering in the civil service. Recommendations include all government departments having some sort of employer-supported volunteering scheme in place by 2011, and civil servants being allowed up to five days a year to volunteer.
  » Download Employer-supported volunteering in the civil service

• UK community sector and central government staff have a chance to swap jobs.
  A Day in the Life is a work shadowing scheme that provides a chance for staff in central government and the voluntary and community sector to step into each other's shoes for a day and learn about how the "other side" operates. Organised by the Department for Communities and Local Government, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) Policy Forum and Compact Voice, it is open to all voluntary and community sector staff in England.
  » Read more details online.

• English consultation paper - Refreshing the Compact: A framework for partnership working.
  In England, the Office for the Third Sector has proposed that the original Compact between the Government and third sector in England be revised. The draft new version, which at 56-pages is about a third of the size of the original, also replaces five existing stand-alone “codes of conduct” (on funding and procurement, consultation and policy appraisal, volunteering, community groups, and black and minority ethnic groups) with three sections on involvement in policy development, allocating resources and commissioning and achieving equality. The draft Compact contains 96 undertakings for signatories, compared with almost 500 in their existing Compact. UK consultation on the draft closes on 12 October with a final version due to be published during their Compact Week (2-8 November).
  » Read more about the UK’s work to revise its Compact
  » The English Compact was established in Nov 1998 – read background about it on NZ’s Good Practice Funding website

• Benefits of independence for third sector and government – United Kingdom.
  The UK’s Commission for the Compact has published Independence Matters, a guide to the Compact and the independence of the third sector. It aims to increase understanding in both the public and third sectors about the importance and benefits of independence and how it can be threatened. It looks at five 'dilemmas', such as “how far can a third sector organisation go in criticising its public sector funder?” and “when does demonstrating accountability become excessive bureaucracy?”
  » Read more about Independence Matters and download the guide

• Exploring blurring of boundaries between sectors – United Kingdom.
  Blurring Boundaries is a summary of a National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)/Economic and Social Research Council Non-Governmental Public Action (ESRC NGPA) seminar in January that asked "How is the blurring of boundaries between sectors impacting on civil society organisations in the UK and internationally?" It has a particular focus on the boundaries between the governmental sector and the voluntary sector, with the increase in delivery of public services by the latter.
  » Download Blurring Boundaries

• Citizen involvement in local governance - Joseph Rowntree Foundation, United Kingdom.
  This publication outlines the challenges and dilemmas that local partners, central government, councillors, staff and communities must resolve if citizens are to have more power and influence over local services and their neighbourhoods.
  » Download this report

• Building Stronger Communities - Business and the third sector: Innovation in tough times – United Kingdom.
  This new independent report from the UK states that businesses, the government and third sector need to develop stronger and more innovative partnerships to provide real and practical help for communities at risk of fracture due to the recession. The report outlines 10 recommendations under three key priorities for action: building closer connections between the sectors at local level, the importance of downsizing responsibly, and investment in innovative partnerships.
  » Read more or download the report online

• European Network of National Associations (ENNA) will share expertise.
  A newly launched network will be developing a European Charter to ensure that all voluntary sector bodies have good relationships and recognition within the European Union. England’s National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) played a leading role in forming a new body of 15 European third sector umbrella bodies that will tackle issues affecting voluntary organisations in the European Union. The European Commission has given ENNA a £12,000 grant to hold two events for member bodies over the next 12 months – one in Warsaw in November, and another in London in March 2010. ENNA comprises the NCVO and umbrella bodies from Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland and Slovenia.
  » Read more about the new European network

• Work to strengthen democracy and improve governing processes is one of several key issues supported by the Ford Foundation – USA.
  The Foundation’s work explores ways to make the process of governing more transparent, accountable and inclusive — and more effective in achieving fairness and equity. Ford does this primarily by supporting robust and inclusive civic organisations that bring diverse people together and give them a voice in the democratic process. Their global work focuses on strengthening the right of people to assemble and advocate, and on promoting greater government transparency and accountability on issues ranging from public spending, to the reform of key global institutions that govern the flow of resources. The Foundation’s work also focuses on Advancing Public Service Media to boost public discussion and research about the ways in which media can better engage and inform all citizens.
  » Read more about the Ford Foundation’s work to strengthen democracy and promote freedom of expression

• A Code of Practice: Engaging the perspectives of offenders and former offenders – United Kingdom.
  Produced by a coalition of organisations including Clinks, Revolving Doors Agency, Nacro and the Howard League for Penal Reform, this Code provides guidance on involving offenders appropriately and safely in your work.
  » Download this Code for voluntary sector organisations

• Understanding the risks of social exclusion across the life course: Youth and young adulthood – a research report for the Social Exclusion Task Force, Cabinet Office, United Kingdom.
  This report explores the proportion of young people who experience different forms of risk leading to social exclusion and how it varies for young people in different circumstances and over time.
  » Download this PDF file and see other reports in the social exclusion series

• Wishful Thinking - Demos (The Think Tank for Everyday Democracy), United Kingdom.
  With the incidence of anxiety, insecurity and fear likely to increase and with trust in institutions low, dreams acquire a new importance. Dreams and wishes can represent an untapped source of strength as well as creativity in imagining new alternatives and lifestyles for the future. This new research took place in streets, homes, playgrounds and social clubs in areas selected on the basis of their historical diversity, the backgrounds of their residents, their size and their location.  The wishes of the UK nation paint a picture of generosity, pragmatism and hope for the future.
  » Download a PDF of this dreamy report from Demos

August (in New Zealand)

8-9 Aug:   Big Night In – Telethon for KidsCan Standtall Charitable Trust.
» See more online at www.bignightin.co.nz/

12 Aug:   ANGOA community sector monthly roundtable meeting – Wellington
» Find out more details online

13 Aug:   Foresee fundraising workshops – Auckland
» Read more on CommunityNet Aotearoa

14 Aug:   Deadline for feedback on Statistics NZ’s Review of Cultural and Identity Statistics.
As part of the Programme of Official Social Statistics (POSS), Statistics NZ is reviewing culture and identity statistics and is seeking submissions from data users and people with an interest in culture and identity-related policy or research.  The consultation paper identifies information needs for culture and identity statistics and determines gaps in existing data sources for addressing those needs. A stock-take of existing official surveys relevant to culture and identity is included in an appendix.
Topics covered in the paper include:
- social cohesion and national identity
- cultural expression and well-being
- cultural experiences and cross-cultural participation
- active citizenship
- Maori identities and culture
- sexual orientation
- immigrant settlement.
» Read the consultation paper on the Stats NZ website
» See Statistics NZ’s discussion paper on sexual orientation as a potential official statistic 

14 Aug:  Closing date for applications for full-time social researcher role with ChangeMakers Refugee Forum.
Three years funding is available for someone to develop and co-ordinate ChangeMakers’ research role to sit alongside and support their community development, networking and advocacy roles.
» For a job description or more information about ChangeMakers visit www.crf.org.nz

18 Aug:   Simple Evaluation Planning for Non-Evaluators workshop – Wellington.
People working in many different roles have to develop evaluation plans. This workshop will teach a process to develop an evaluation based around a visual results model (also called an intervention logic or outcomes model).
» Find out more online

18 Aug:   Fundraising workshop for the museum sector in Nelson.
Organised by Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi, this introductory workshop is for the museum sector, and iwi that work with the museum sector.
The workshop will give representatives from small museums, heritage organisations, the arts and cultural sector, iwi organisations, and others in the region an opportunity to learn useful new skills and share ideas.
» Places are limited, so e-mail jadeh@tepapa.govt.nz or call 04 381 7246 for more details.

20 Aug:   Building better intervention logics, faster – Levels I & 2 workshops – Wellington.
By the end of these workshops presented by Dr Paul Duignan, participants will understand:
- how intervention logics (outcomes models) fit at the centre of strategy, monitoring and evaluation
- how intervention logics can be drawn to ensure they are the most useful they can be
- how the 13 Tips to Better Intervention Logics can be applied in practice to build great intervention logics.
» Read more about these workshops

21 Aug:   Applications due for Vodafone World of Difference Programme.
The World of Difference Programme pays a year’s salary and expenses of six passionate people, so they can work with a youth-focused cause of their choice.
» If you want to spend next year making a difference to Kiwi youth, apply at www.vodafone.co.nz
» Read about the difference 38 recipients have made since 2002

21 Aug:   Applications due for Environment Bayof Plenty's Environmental Enhancement Fund.
$300,000 is available in the 2009/2010 funding round, and community groups. iwi, businesses and local organisations can apply for up to $30,000 funding to help with their project. Projects should directly enhance the environment while involving people in the community; such as clearing and planting riverbanks, restoring a wetland/bird habitat or schools growing plants and trees.
» For more information, contact Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or go to www.envbop.govt.nz.

21 Aug:   Submissions due on Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm 2010-16: A Draft Document for Consultation
The Ministry of Health is seeking written submissions on this consultation document, which includes a six-year strategic plan 2010-2016, a three-year service plan 2010-2013, a problem gambling needs assessment, and problem gambling levy calculations over the 2010-2013 period.  A copy of all submissions received will be forwarded to the Gambling Commission to assist their independent consultation process.
» Read the discussion document on the Ministry of Health website
» See the frequently asked questions
» Download a submission form  

21 Aug:    Building support in your community – South Canterbury workshop.
Organised by Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi, this introductory workshop is for the museum sector, and iwi that work with the museum sector.
The workshop covers:
- identifying community stakeholders
- understanding what they are looking for and how they make decisions
- how best to develop, manage and sustain effective relationships
- developing community relationships focused on building your in-house capacity and capability.
The workshop will give representatives from small museums, heritage organisations, the arts and cultural sector, iwi organisations, and others in the region an opportunity to learn useful new skills and share ideas.
» Places are limited, so e-mail jadeh@tepapa.govt.nz or call 04 381 7246 for more details.

22-24 Aug:   NZ Diversity Forum 2009 programme.
The NZ Diversity Forum brings together a wide range of organisations that all hold their own forums and attract their own audiences under a single umbrella – these audiences then mix and mingle in other forum events. The focus is on practical outcomes, networking and sharing good practice. A national youth forum brings together youth participants from throughout New Zealand to provide a strong youth perspective to the proceedings.
» See a list of all events on the Human Rights Commission website – details of some of these are below

24 Aug:    Religious diversity in the workplace – Victoria University Law School – Wellington.
A panel of speakers combined with the launch of Religion in NZ Schools Questions and Concerns and the second edition of the Statement on Religious Diversity.
» Further information at www.hrc.co.nz

24 Aug:   Local Government Diversity Forum hosted by Wellington City Council.
The local government network meeting will focus on participation and how this relates to cultural diversity. Panelists will share their experiences - providing different perspectives and opportunities for challenging and lively discussions. Speakers include:
- Dr David Bromell – Ministry of Social Development advisor and Senior Associate of the Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington. Author of Ethnicity, Identity and Public Policy: Critical Perspectives on Multiculturalism (2008).
- Mike Reid – Manager of Governance for Local Government New Zealand.
- Diana Suggate – Senior Policy Analyst, Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector.
» See event details online.

24 Aug:    International Accountability for New Zealand’s Human Rights and Race Relations, Human Rights Treaties and Domestic Policy and Practice forum hosted by the Human Rights commission at Victoria University, Wellington.
» Read more online

25 Aug:   Foresee fundraising workshops – Wellington
» Read more on CommunityNet Aotearoa

26 Aug:   ANGOA quarterly community and voluntary sector research forum – Wellington.
» Find out more details online

27 Aug:    A Government for the People – a Maxim Institute lecture by Richard Edkins – Auckland.
In this lecture, Dr Edkins will ask whether MPs and Parliament should use independent judgment or channel the will of the people. He will build a case for representative democracy and explore what this means for New Zealand’s political institutions.
» For more information visit www.maxim.org.nz

27-28 Aug:   Exploring Local Currencies workshop: Tools for building community and business in tough times – Wellington.
Local currency and bartering systems can help create empowerment and resilience in communities by enabling the trading of goods and services without relying entirely on the national money system. This workshop will provide participants with a working knowledge of three key models currently in use, and explain how these can be initiated in a local community, town or organisation immediately following the workshop. They are:
- timebanking
- local exchange and trading systems (LETS)
- genuine wealth system
Bookings essential.
» Contact Linnéa Lindstroem: ccwellets@gmail.com, phone 04 976 1905 / 0210 484 858
or Helen Dew phone 06 379 8034 email helend@contact.net.nz
» Find out more about the Living Economies Educational Trust at www.le.org.nz

27-30 Aug:   Innovating from Within: The Art of Hosting & Harvesting Conversations That Matter - Quality Hotel, Wellington.
Have you been looking for a new way to get people involved, committed and carrying through or developing greater capacity for ideas and leadership?  Art of Hosting is a global practice community who develop mastery in the way they have conversations that gather people around a common purpose, and is coming to New Zealand for the first time.  This participative training experience is for anyone who wants to experience a different perspective of leadership, which sets free other people’s creativity and intelligence in order to achieve better co-operation and results together.  Workshop organisers are especially keen to have participation from the community and voluntary sector, so contact them to talk about how they can support your participation.
» For enquires: phone Mary-Alice on 021 687 627
or e-mail mary-alice@getsoaring.com
» The full pdf invitation and registration form can be found at:  www.artofhosting.org/events

28 Aug:    Building support in your community - Kapiti workshop in Waikanae.
Organised by Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi, this introductory workshop is for the museum sector, and iwi that work with the museum sector.
The workshop covers:
- identifying community stakeholders
- understanding what they are looking for and how they make decisions
- how best to develop, manage and sustain effective relationships
- developing community relationships focused on building your in-house capacity and capability.
The workshop will give representatives from small museums, heritage organisations, the arts and cultural sector, iwi organisations, and others in the region an opportunity to learn useful new skills and share ideas.
» Places are limited, so e-mail jadeh@tepapa.govt.nz or call 04 381 7246 for more details.

31 Aug:   Deadline for nominations for the Asthma and Respiratory Achievers Awards.
Held every two years, the awards recognise Kiwis with asthma or other respiratory illnesses who have a great attitude to life and achieve things, despite the challenges they face. Past nominees have included people who do well at school or at work, have interesting hobbies or talents, are right into sport or music, or simply put a smile on the dial of everyone they meet. They may simply be a really giving person. Eight supreme achievers will have their transport, meals and accommodation paid for when they are presented with an award by the Governor-General in Wellington in November.  Every nominee receives a certificate from the Foundation and there are a number of Rangatira (Maori) awards.
» It’s easy to make a nomination at www.asthmafoundation.org.nz or email achievers@asthmafoundation.org.nz for more information

31 Aug:   Deadline for Community Post 2009 applications.
Each year, NZ Post makes postage-paid envelopes available to local non-profit organisations for use in fundraising, communication and other projects in their local region.  Non-profit community organisations are invited to apply to one of 16 regional Community Post Boards; a group made up of local people from NZ Post and the community. Applications need to be for a specific project that will benefit your community, and allocations are generally for less than 500 envelopes due to the large number of requests received each year. Allocations are assessed at a regional level, so national organisations need to apply in the region they are located.
» Find out more or apply online

September (in New Zealand)

1 Sept:  Deadline for entries in the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Australasian Core Value Awards.
Categories include:
• Public participation enhanced decision-making
• Robust public participation process
• Best public participation policy framework
• Public participation innovation
• Decision-making
»  Find out more online at www.iap2.org.au

6 Sept:   NZ Post Group Local Government Excellence Awards to be presented at the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) annual conference in Palmerston North.
The 2009 categories in the NZ Society of Local Government Managers awards include Joined-up Local Government, Improved Local Regulation, Council-Community Relationships and Building Organisational Capability.
» Find out more at www.solgm.co.nz/NZPOSTAWARDS/

7-13 Sept:   Adult Learners'  Week - He Tangata Mātauranga.
A UNESCO initiative to celebrate adult learners, the Week incorporates International Literacy Day on Tuesday 8 September.
» Find out more at  www.adultlearnersweek.org.nz

9 Sept:   IAP2 Wellington region meeting: 5.30pm-7.30pm, Wellington.
The focus for this meeting with be on local government engagement - with input from three local council engagement teams.
» See details on www.iap2.org.au
» E-mail nznorth@iap2.org.au to be included on mailing lists for Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch events
» Read more about the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)

9 Sept:   ANGOA community sector monthly roundtable meeting – Wellington.
» Find out more details online

mid-Sept:  Applications due for 2nd round of Community Response Fund.
This new short-term fund supports community-based, critical social services providing support directly to families, children, young people or older people. To be eligible for the funding, services must be experiencing severe negative impacts from the economic downturn.
» Visit the FACS website for details on the new Community Response Fund  
»  Read more in the June issue of Funding News or Community Connect
» Download an Application Form

14 Sept:    Deadline for Community Internship Programme applications.
» See story # 9 above

14-16 Sept:  Association for Supported Employment NZ (ASENZ) supported employment conference – Wellington.
» Find out more at: www.asenz.org.nz

17 Sept:  Deadline for applications to Lotteries Significant Projects Fund.
A total of $9.8million is available this year.
» Find out more on the DIA website

17-18 Sept:   Sowing Seeds of Change – Te Puawaitanga O Te Kakano Social Service Providers Aotearoa Inc. Conference – Whangarei.
» Find out more online at www.theorganisation.org.nz/  

21 Sept:    ANGOA community and voluntary sector research forum – Christchurch.
» Find out more details online

23 Sept:  Good Engagement seminar hosted by the OCVS in Wellington.
The Good Practice Participate 90-minute seminar series continues under a new name. 
» Watch for more details soon or view past presentations

24-25 Sept:   3rd Carers NZ National Carers Conference: Tomorrow’s Care Today, Waipuna Events Centre, Auckland.
Carers NZ will host this summit that will look ahead, as well as celebrate the milestones achieved for New Zealand’s carers over the past four years.
Keynote speakers will include the Hon. Tariana Turia (Government Progress for Carers); Caroline Waters, Director of People and Policy for Britain’s BT Group; Carers Australia CEO Joan Hughes (Why the Prime Minister Talks About Carers); Tania Hayes, Australian carer ambassador, author, wife and Mum; Gina Langlands from Bupa Care Services (Partners In Care); Waitemata DHB’s Philip Grady and Fulton Hogan Wellbeing Manager Carl Stent.
The summit will include a Work Life Care! workshop for employers, human resource managers, unions, support and government agencies, and carers focusing on how employers can support their caring employees. Keynote speaker, Caroline Waters (BT Group), will offer advice for employers and government, and Carers NZ’s Work Life Care! partners, Business NZ and the NZ Council of Trade Unions, will also present.
There is no cost for carers to attend the learning and wellbeing events, and a limited number of scholarships are available for carers wishing to attend the full conference.
» Download the programme at www.carers.net.nz
» E-mail sara@carers.net.nz or phone (0800) 777 797

October (in New Zealand)

2 Oct:   Global March for Peace and Nonviolence starts in Wellington and will travel around the world promoting violence-prevention and peace initiatives and programmes.

3 Oct:   1st New ZealandHindu Elders Conference in Auckland.
Organised by the Hindu Elders Foundation, a division of Hindu Council of NZ Inc., the conference will include a panel discussion on government agencies' and NGOs' assistance to Hindu elders.
» Read more on the HRC website

7-9 Oct:   Living in an Ageing Society - NZ Association of Gerontology and Age Concern NZ Conference, Wellington.
The conference links research, policy and practice by providing a diverse programme spanning areas such as population ageing, health and resilience, elder care and cultural differences. This is an opportunity to come up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of ageing and to have a say in how the future could be shaped.
» Find out more online

14 Oct:    ANGOA community sector monthly roundtable meeting – Wellington.
» Find out more details online

14 Oct:   Good practice consultation with stakeholders: Maximising the benefits of engaging with communities - Victoria University Professional and Executive Development, Wellington.
Policy development and decisions in the public sector draw information and advice from various stakeholder groups, as well as the public at large. This full-day course will help participants design and implement a consultation process that is fit for purpose.
Reflecting on good practice principles and through a variety of practical exercises attendees will improve skills in process design and in selecting the best methods and techniques to achieve the desired outcomes.
This practical course presented by Dianne Buchan (who is a full member of the NZ Planning Institute and the International Association for Impact Assessment), is for people in the public sector responsible for commissioning, designing or implementing consultation processes.
- Learn how to plan a consultation process as an integral part of your project.
- Gain an understanding of the essential elements of a sound consultation process drawing on NZ legal requirements and case law.
- Discuss and evaluate various ‘good practice’ principles and frameworks for consultation.
- Hear how the consultation process can be designed to be more responsive to the needs of diverse groups.
- Learn how to make consultation practices more effective and cost efficient.
» To enrol visit www.victoria.ac.nz/profdev, call 04 463 6556 or email ceed@vuw.ac.nz

22 Oct:  Winners of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Australasian Core Value Awards announced.
»  Find out more online at www.iap2.org.au

28-29 Oct:   Volunteering Unleashed - Volunteering NZ national conference - Wellington.
The conference will gather various stakeholders from the community and voluntary sector, government and corporate in a number of workshops and panel discussions. Early-bird registrations open until 15 August.
» See further details on the VNZ website

29 Oct:   ANGOA community and voluntary sector research forum – Auckland
» Find out more details online

The rest of 2009 (in New Zealand)

5 Nov:   International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day
» Find out more – including award nomination details

11 Nov:  A national Community-Government Forum.
» See story # 3 above

tbc Nov:   ANGOA community sector monthly roundtable meeting & ANGOA AGM – Wellington.
» Find out more details online

25 Nov:   ANGOA quarterly community and voluntary sector research forum – Wellington.
» Find out more details online

23-24 Nov:   8th National Digital Forum - Being online now: Culture, creativity and community, Wellington.
The 2009 conference will explore how creating and accessing New Zealand digital content benefits all parts of society: business, education, cultural organisations, local communities.
» Find out more at wwwndf.natlib.govt.nz/about/2009-conference.htm

26-27 Nov:    The Most Significant Change (MSC) Technique – Pattillo workshop presented by Dr Jessica Dart of Clear Horizon – Wellington.
This two day workshop will cover the interpretation of stories of significant change and the value of extensive dialogue up and down the organisational hierarchy.  MSC is a rapidly emerging technique for monitoring change that is both qualitative and indicator free! Involving regular collection and interpretation of stories about change, MSC is a powerful tool for formative evaluation and organisational learning.  Since the last time this workshop was run in New Zealand, Clear Horizon has been adapting the technique to align with indigenous needs.  This workshop will include experiential learning opportunities and designing your own MSC process. 
Cost: $625 for community organisations.
» Find out more online at www.pattillo.co.nz

5 Dec:    International Volunteer Day.
» Find out more about this annual celebration of volunteers

Various dates:      The Institute of Directors (IOD) offers a range of professional development courses for board members. These include not-for-profit governance essentials offered in several locations. The IOD also provides a range of services, including allowing not-for-profits to advertise their governance vacancies on the IOD website at no cost.
» Check out the 2009 IOD training calendar online

Looking ahead to 2010 (in New Zealand)

14-16 April 2010:   Evolving Communities Beyond Services - Building Bridges National Community Mental Health and Addictions Conference 2010 – Wellington.
This 5th building bridges conference will explore transcending barriers, cultures and differences in our approach to community mental health and addictions services.
» Find out more online at www.buildingbridges.co.nz/site/building_bridges_trust/

International events

10 Aug – 7 Dec:   Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement professional programme presented by the University of Sydney, in collaboration with the Fielding Graduate University through the United States Studies Centre.
This programme builds the skills, knowledge and intuitive sensibility needed to make wise choices about how to bring forms of dialogue, deliberation, and engagement into situations where they are most effective.
» For a programme description, see 
www.ussc.edu.au/study/dialogue-deliberation-and-public-engagement.
» To see how it is presented at Fielding University, go to www.fielding.edu/programs/ce/ddpe

22-23 Oct:   Tackling the tough issues: Engaging for results conference, Freemantle, West Australia.
This conference, organised by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), is a fantastic opportunity for practitioners, policy makers and those interested in stakeholder and community engagement to meet, share ideas, learn new skills and expand thinking.
» Find out more on the IAP2 conference website

5-6 Nov:    National Squalor Conference: Pathway through the Maze – Sydney, Australia.
Catholic Community Services will host this conference - the first of its kind internationally. The conference will have a focus on sustainable long-term interventions through exploring the experiences of severe domestic squalor within themes including.
- Social isolation: the human rights context and social justice
- Societal structures: the role of poverty, culture and ones lived experiences
- The collective impact: the environmental, community and financial consequences
- The need for collaboration: legislative and systemic issues
The request for abstracts is open until 31 August 2009.
» E-mail info@nationalsqualorconference.com.au for more details on submitting an abstract.
» To find out more about the conference or to register, visit www.nationalsqualorconference.com.au

26-29 Nov:   12th IAVE AsiaPacific regional volunteer conference - Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Volunteerism as a lifestyle for social solidarity is the theme of this regional International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) conference, which will provide an opportunity for NGOs, governments, and the corporate sector to work together on issues such as volunteer participation in large-scale international events, corporate social responsibility, ICT use in volunteer programmes, diversity and community engagement.
» Further information is at www.iave.org

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The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector exists to inspire co-operation and superb relationships between the government and the community and voluntary sector. You can find out more about the OCVS on our website: www.ocvs.govt.nz, by email at: ocvs@msd.govt.nz, phone: 04 918 9555, or by fax: 04 913 3080.

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