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OCVS E-News

Issue 18 - 3 July 2008

Section 1: OCVS News & Events

01: Government Support for Volunteering 2002-2008 report published

Since 2002, government has completed significant work in response to the Government Policy on Volunteering and the government volunteering work programme.

This work has been summarised by the OCVS and reported to Cabinet in the document Government Support for Volunteering 2002–2008. The report was tabled in Parliament during Volunteer Awareness Week.

Achievements include:

• publishing statistics on volunteering in New Zealand, and research into Maori perceptions of volunteering
• interest-free student loans and superannuation extended to New Zealanders volunteering overseas for charitable organisations
• announcing changes that will make volunteer expense reimbursements tax exempt, with no limits
• $6.5 million over four years to assist sport and recreational organisations with recruitment, training, and retaining volunteers
• various information resources to encourage good practice in supporting and involving volunteers.

A few outstanding items are still due for completion, however a new collaborative stream of work under the banner of Promoting Generosity has now been introduced.

» Download the Government Support for Volunteering 2002–2008 report
» Read more about Promoting Generosity.

02: Washington visitor highlights practical ideas for grant-makers

Courtney Bourns, Director of Programs from the Washington-based Grantmakers for Effective Organisations (GEO) is currently in New Zealand as part of the second series of regional funders forums. The forums are a collaborative project between Philanthropy NZ, OCVS and the Department of Internal Affairs.

Funders are attending the forums to hear about GEO’s Change Agent project and learn how grantmakers can be more responsive to grantseekers. They are coming together to share knowledge and experience, learn from innovative examples and look at opportunities to improve practices.

GEO is highly regarded for its action learning approach, leadership development and commitment to supporting not-for-profits to be effective organisations. Courtney’s visit follows that of Kathleen Enright, GEO Executive Director who presented at the Philanthropy Matters Conference in 2007. Kathleen’s presentation and others from that event can be viewed online on the Philanthropy NZ website.

» See more about the forums on Philanthropy NZ’s website.
» See presentations from Philanthropy Matters ’07.
» Download GEO’s report Listen, Learn, Lead and their action guide Imagine, Involve, Implement from www.geofunders.org.

03: Stakeholder engagement website revamped

The Good Practice Participate website hosted by the OCVS has had a major makeover. The new-look site has improved menu structures and navigation, an effective search engine, new content and extra resources. 

If your role involves working with communities, consultation on policy, partnering with community organisations, communicating with stakeholders, collaboration with other agencies, or community development then visit the updated website to access guidance on building active relationships, working with specific population groups, managing risks, monitoring and evaluation.  New guidance material and resources will be added on an ongoing basis, and your suggestions for new content or comments about the site are welcome.

» Visit the site at www.goodpracticeparticipate.govt.nz.

04: Research shows that 80% of volunteers also donate

The new research report How do New Zealanders give?, produced by Nick Jones & Associates Ltd and the OCVS, was released during Volunteer Awareness Week.

The report draws on data collected in 2007 through the “Consumer who Cares” service, as part of Nielsen Media Research Panorama, one of New Zealand's largest consumer surveys, engaging 12,000 people annually.

The report estimates that in the previous 12 months:

• 1.2 million people volunteered (33.8% of all people 10 years and over)
• 2.2 million people gave money or goods (60.3%)
• 829,000 people supported in other ways, such as purchasing products (23%)

The research will inform the work of the Promoting Generosity project, a collaborative initiative to explore ways individuals and businesses can be encouraged to participate in their communities and local community organisations by giving time, money or in-kind donations.

» Download the How do New Zealanders give? report

» Read more about Promoting Generosity.

05: New, improved Good Practice Funding website now live

The Good Practice Funding website also has improved menu structures and navigation, and an enhanced search engine that allows visitors to search all OCVS sites so they can find information wherever it is.

Updated content and new resources have been added to assist government agencies with managing their funding relationships. The site includes guidance from Treasury and the Auditor-General's office.  It features sections on contracts, grant-making, risk management, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, as well as an extensive listing of New Zealand and international resources on funding issues.

New resources and guidance will be added in coming months as part of the Improving Government Funding Practice project.

» Visit the site at www.goodpracticefunding.govt.nz
» Read about the Improving Government Funding Practice project.

06: OCVS Senior Policy Analyst researching in Tuvalu

Due to the effects of climate change, Tuvalu faces an uncertain future that may have severe impacts on its people - including possible forced migration from the Tuvaluan atolls.  In Te Kakeega II, 2005-2015: National Strategies for Sustainable Development, the Tuvalu government recognises the need for participation and cross-sectoral collaboration in development planning. It has also begun work to mitigate the effects of climate change and respond to possible disasters.

OCVS Senior Policy Analyst Kat Paton is now in Tuvalu for six weeks as part of her postgraduate research to identify and build on aspects of current Tuvaluan planning that encourage Tuvaluan participation in planning for the future.  Kat’s research will:

• look at current governmental and non-governmental participatory planning processes that engage Tuvaluans (at home and abroad) in their development and planning, and explore how they participate and whether these processes facilitate planning for multiple futures
• examine the extent to which Tuvaluans can participate in planning and preparing for all possible futures (both privately and publicly), if one highly possible future may lead to them needing to leave Tuvalu
• ask whether the international community enables and empowers Tuvaluans to participate in preparing for a possible future outside their own lands.

Kat is due back in New Zealand and at the OCVS in mid-August.

» Contact Kat about her research at affinity@orcon.net.nz.

07: Dates set for Good Practice in Action (GPIA) seminars

GPIA seminars help government agencies learn from one another. They are about information sharing, results-based learning, and acquiring knowledge and expertise built on the good practice of others.

The next four OCVS GPIA seminars for public servants will be held in Wellington on:

• Friday, 19 September 2008
• Friday, 12 December 2008
• Friday, 6 March 2009
• Friday, 29 May 2009

At these free events, we’ll revisit some of the case studies and experiences presented in previous seminars – as well as learn from new examples of collaboration and co-operation between community organisations and government agencies.

Mark your diary and e-mail ocvs@msd.govt.nz (if you are not already receiving updates from us) to be informed of more details as they are finalised.

» See past presentations from previous GPIA events at: www.ocvs.govt.nz.

08: Tell us what you think of Keeping it Legal - Survey

Keeping It Legal E Ai Ki Te Ture was designed as a starting point for people in voluntary and not-for-profit organisations who wanted to know about the laws that may affect them. It can be used as a tool in developing risk management strategies.  It is available online at www.keepingitlegal.net.nz and in print (for free by e-mailling ocvs@msd.govt.nz).

The OCVS and the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations are evaluating the reach and effectiveness of Keeping It Legal E Ai Ki Te Ture as part of planning the future of the resource.  We want to know what you’ve found helpful and how you’ve used it – whether online or in hard copy.

Please take 5 minutes to take part in our on-line survey. You can complete it anonymously or, if you include your e-mail, you will go into the draw to win one of five $50 petrol vouchers.

» Complete the Keeping it Legal survey online.

Section 2: Sector & Government News & Events

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

09: Bonus benefit to charity registration

The Print Media Copyright Agency (PMCA) is offering free photocopying licences to charities registered with the Charities Commission. The licences mean that charities can legally photocopy, fax or electronically distribute articles appearing in 31 daily and Sunday newspapers. As an additional bonus, registered charities that apply for a licence can also photocopy and distribute articles from 42 magazines and 118 community newspapers at no additional cost. (Normally an additional fee is charged for this option). A list of all these publications is here.

Annual licence fees are usually charged based on the size of an organisation. They range from $214 (excl GST) for organisations with fewer than 5 employees, through to more than $3,000 for organisations with more than 5,000 staff.

Registered charities simply need to complete a Copying Licence application form and ensure they include their registered charity number obtained from the Charities Commission.

The Charities Commission has already registered more than 7,700 charities. Tax laws changed on 1 July 2008, but a few registrations may be backdated if they are received after this date and there are good reasons for late application.  Charities that have not yet sent in their charity registration, should visit www.charities.govt.nz to check the full information about registration. 

» Find out more about the Print Media Copyright Agency (PMCA).
» Learn about registering with the Charities Commission.

10: Youth gangs project wins top public sector award

A Ministry of Social Development (MSD) project to reduce youth offending in South Auckland received the top accolade at the inaugural IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards.

MSD and the Auckland Youth Support Network Group developed a 26-point Action Plan in mid-2006 to improve outcomes for young people and reduce youth offending in Counties Manukau and Otahuhu. The cross-government programme emphasised proactive intervention by police and social workers among at risk youth in schools and community centres.

The winners in each category were:

• Excellence in People Capability
  NZ Police: Leadership and Management Development Framework.
• Excellence in Managerial Leadership
  Ministry of Women's Affairs: Organisational Transformation.
• Excellence in Crown-Maori Relationships
  New Plymouth District Council: The Rewa Rewa Agreement.
• Joined-up Government
  Ministry of Justice: Electronic Filing of Infringement Notices.
• Working Together
  Ministry of Social Development: Improving Outcomes for Young People in Counties Manukau (Youth Gangs).
• Excellence in Public Sector Media Coverage
  Sunday Star Times for reporting on Kiwi Saver by Rob Stock.

» The full list of Award finalists is at www.ipanzawards.org.nz.

11:Celebrating Everyday Young New Zealanders

More than 140 nominations were received for Celebrating Everyday Young New Zealanders. Twelve young people were selected from around the country as a representation of the many positive things young people do everyday all around New Zealand. They made marked contributions to their communities, from environmental work, volunteering, entrepreneurship, mentoring, sporting/cultural success, to young people who had turned their lives around.

» See the profiles of these young people at www.myd.govt.nz.

12: Enter the NZ Post Group Local Government Excellence Awards

These awards celebrate and recognise local government projects that showcase best practices, innovation and excellence across New Zealand local government.

If you have undertaken work that involves building council-community relationships, building organisational capability, taking a sustainable development approach or working together with other organisations to advance a common goal, this is your opportunity to take centre stage.
Entries close at 5pm on Friday 25 July 2008.

» Read more and download an entry form at www.solgm.co.nz.

13. Ministry of Health hui involve community sector in planning ahead

The Ministry of Health’s Long-Term Conditions Programme recently held a series of hui with the community and voluntary sector. Programme Director Dr Jane O’Hallahan reports the Ministry’s team was very pleased with the effort people made to attend and their valuable contributions.

“We were delighted both with the number of people who turned up and with the quality of the discussions. We learnt a lot and those learnings will be fed into the process of developing long-term conditions management in New Zealand,” she said. 

“We have also discussed how to involve the sector as we move forward.”

The Ministry has added all hui participants to the distribution list for the programme’s regular newsletter to ensure everyone is kept in the loop about progress. A generic email address has been set up, and an on-line forum has been established so people can be involved in an on-going dialogue about long-term conditions management.

» E-mail the Long-Term Conditions Programme team via ltcp@moh.govt.nz.
» Read about what was discussed at the hui at www.moh.govt.nz/longtermconditions.
» Participate in the online discussion about long term conditions.

14: Various reports and publications on communities and government available

New Zealand

• Volunteers: The Heart of Sport – The Experiences and Motivations of Sports Volunteers
  SPARC has published a 20-page report on this 2007 research
  » Go to www.sparc.org.nz to find out more.

• The initial report from the Key Findings from the Joined-Up Government project shows lots of support for more collaborative working – moving from co-existence (or working alone) through communication (talking together), co-operation (getting together), co-ordination (working together), to collaboration (sharing work).  The paper, which is part of the Emerging Issues Programme, is not yet final but gives a flavour of the results that are emerging.
  For further information, contact Derek Gill, Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington - Derek.Gill@vuw.ac.nz
  » See the initial report on the Public Sector Intranet.
  » Read background on the emerging issues programme in the E-Government section of the Victoria University website.

• Employee Volunteering Observations from the Front-line: A report on community and business perspectives on employee volunteering in NZ – Dr Louise Lee, Massey University.
  This research report was released during Volunteer Awareness Week. It shows that businesses see improved staff morale, potential for attracting new employees, the importance of team building, and giving people opportunities they might not otherwise get to grow professionally.
  » Read a news story highlighting the report.
  » Contact Dr Lee about her research.

• The theme for Issue 11 of Dev-Zone’s Just Change magazine (Feb 2008) was Good Intentions: The Ethics of Volunteering.
  »  Download a PDF of Just Change from the DevZone website.

• Grant Thornton’s bi-annual Not-for-Profit Survey 2007/08 focuses on topical issues such as governance, trends in financial and non-financial reporting, performance monitoring and Board time.
  »  Download a PDF of the survey report from Grant Thornton’s website.

• The Skylight Youth Support Leaflet series for young people has been used throughout New Zealand in a wide range of contexts, including schools, tertiary training centres, youth work, community centres, medical centres, hospitals and churches.  Topics include managing anger, fitting in, heartbreak and bullying.
  » For further information, phone Skylight 0800 299 100, order online at www.skylight.org.nz or email orders to support@skylight-trust.org.nz.

• Internet Unmasked - The Essential Handbook for New Zealand Business and Not-For-Profits by Dennis Smith
  » Order a copy or download sample chapters online.

• The Ministry of Social Development’s Regional Plans 2008/2009 are now available. The Plans are focused around five priority areas and set out each region’s work for the coming year.
  » View Plans for 11 regions.

• Issue # 3 of Rise - the Ministry of Social Development’s flagship publication - focuses on older people.
  » Download a PDF of Rise.

International

• The changing nature of community activism and infrastructure in Manchester, UK and Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Economic & Social Research Council key findings paper – UK.
  The findings arise from surveys undertaken in both cities and 128 interviews with key figures from voluntary and community organisations, local, regional and national statutory sectors and activists working in the fields of mental health and community safety. Included in the report is a table showing the characteristics of enabling and disabling partnerships.
  » Download the key findings paper, the full report or read more about the project online.

• Australasia’s People First -Total Solutions conducted the first Global Volunteer Management Survey in 2007-08.
  851 managers in 23 countries responded - providing information about themselves, their attitudes and their volunteer programmes. The results show volunteer managers’ reporting lines, salaries, education levels and attitudes, etc.
  » The summary of results can be downloaded from www.pfts.com.au.

• Community engagement and community cohesion - The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK.
  This paper explores the challenges to be addressed if government policies to promote community engagement are to be genuinely inclusive of newcomers, as well as more established communities.
  » Read the key points or download the findings from www.jrf.org.uk.

• Philanthropy Annual: 2007 Review - The Foundation Center, USA.
  » Download this at http://foundationcenter.org.

• Boards of Midsize Nonprofits: Their Needs and Challenges - The Urban Institute, USA.
  This helps fill a major gap in understanding by focusing on governance among midsize nonprofits, identifying certain problem areas, and suggesting strategies that those engaged with midsize nonprofits may find helpful in strengthening their boards.
  » Download this report at www.urban.org/publications.

• Community Collaboratives Addressing Youth Gangs: Interim Findings from the Gang Reduction Program – Urban Institute, USA.
  The evaluation of this federal initiative to reduce gang crime in Los Angeles, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; North Miami Beach, Florida; and Richmond, Virginia found substantial variation in collaboration levels among partners in each site, but each site achieved significant implementation successes.
  » Download the PDF or view the report online.

15: Upcoming events & conferences – mark your 2008 diary

• 2-4 July: INVOLVE 08 Relate Conference: Quality relationships and young people – Wellington.
  » Currently underway, you can read more at: www.involve.org.nz.

• 11 July – 18 Aug: Review of Not-for-Profit Management Diploma meetings
  Unitech is holding a series of stakeholder meetings to get feedback on its not-for-profit management diploma programme. Invitations will be sent out to local not-for-profit organisations and current students and graduates of the Diploma. The proposed dates are: Christchurch - Friday 11th July, Wellington - Friday 25th July, Auckland - Friday 8th August, Hamilton - Monday 18th August

• 28 July–8 August: yMedia Challenge 2008
  yMedia Challenge is a competition connecting tertiary students with community groups through media and technology to create a new, or leverage an existing, low-cost digital presence for the community group. Six community groups and 12 students participated in the 2007 yMedia Challenge, and you can see some ideas that Youthlaw tried out at www.ymediagroup.org/community/history.html.
  » Read more about becoming a group member to be eligible for the challenge at www.ymediagroup.org/community/challenge.html.

• 1 August: Closing date for 2nd round of SPEaR Linkages Funding Programme
  This Social Policy Evaluation and Research (SPEaR) programme facilitates cross-sector collaborative social policy research and evaluation that supports effective decision-making to improve the knowledge base and social outcomes for New Zealanders.
  » Go to www.spear.govt.nz for more information and to download the latest 'Guide to SPEaR Linkages Funding'. 

• 12 August: Launch of NZ Non-Profit Sector in Comparative Perspective report and The History of the Non-Profit Sector in NZ in Wellington
  The OCVS will feature more information about these important publications in our next e-news in August.
  » Read about the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector.

• 12-14 Aug: Pacific region Civil Society Organisations forum – Auckland.
  » Read more at www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/events/.

• 15 Aug: 5th year of Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement Certificate Program begins
  Part of an international partnership between Fielding Graduate University and the University of Sydney, Australia, the program was developed in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, the Kettering Foundation and the Public Dialogue Consortium. 
  » Read more about the program at www.fielding.edu.

• 3-5 Sept: Australia’s 12th National Conference on Volunteering – Gold Coast, Queensland Australia.
  Three sub-themes to be fully discussed and debated are:

  • The shift in the way people are volunteering
  • Flexibility in management
  • The changing demographics of volunteering.

  » Visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org for more details and registration information.

• 9-10 Sept: Planning for Effective Public Participation – IAP2 Training – Christchurch.
  » Read more at www.twyford.com.au.

• 16-19 Sept: Asia Pacific Volunteer Leadership conference – Honolulu, Hawaii.
  There has never been a gathering of people from around the Pacific Rim whose focus is on leadership of volunteers.  This conference will address Volunteer Management; Disaster Readiness & Recovery; Opportunities for Aging; and Six Billion Paths to Peace.
  Attendees will learn what influences and sustains volunteers, innovative practices for future programme development, and ways to network globally.
  » More information is on the conference website www.vrchawaii.org/APVLConference or contact Sue Kobar at 03-375-4230 or email suek@nursemaude.org.nz

• 19 Sept: OCVS Good Practice in Action seminar for public servants in Wellington
  » Watch www.ocvs.govt.nz for more details at a later date.

• 19-22 Nov: 8th Global Conference on National Youth Service - Paris, France.
  » See the conference website: www.icicp.org 

• 24-26 Nov: The Australia New Zealand Third Sector Research (ANZTSR) Conference – Auckland. 
  The theme of the conference is DEMONSTRATE – Come demonstrate the valuable work done in, by and for the Third Sector.
  Presentation proposals and abstracts for papers are due by 25 July.
  The three main sub-themes for the conference are:

  1. Responsibilities and Rights for Wellbeing of People and Planet
  2. Organisation, Governance, Management in the Third Sector
  3. Public Private Partnerships, Corporate Social Responsibilities

  » Read more at www.anztsr.org.au.

• 12 Dec: OCVS Good Practice in Action seminar for public servants in Wellington
  » Watch www.ocvs.govt.nz for more details at a later date.

End notes

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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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