Issue 12 - 20 August 2007

The OCVS team is currently considering how its 2007/08 work programme can best respond to issues raised by community and voluntary organisations about their relationship with government.

We intend our work to build on the dialogue from June’s Community-Government Forum in Wellington where 150 people from the community and voluntary sector (the sector) met with 13 Ministers and 50 senior government officials to discuss common issues. The Forum, which was organised by a steering group of sector leaders supported by the OCVS, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and the Community Sector Taskforce, was the first time that such a diverse mix of people from the sector, Ministers, and officials had come together under one roof.

Key issues highlighted at the Forum included:

• the need for new processes to ensure the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship is fully and consistently implemented
• the need for a change to the culture of government and for improvements to ways in which government engages with the sector
• the need for changes to government funding and accountability arrangements
• the need for greater recognition and support for volunteers, including through the tax system

The Forum highlighted once again that different parts of the sector express their ‘voices’ in very different ways, so Government needs to engage with a wide range of networks across sub-sectors and population groups in order to determine how best to hear a range of views and perspectives.

At the OCVS, we work daily to  embody the  principles of the Statement of Government Intentions and model best practice in community participation and collaboration. The OCVS 2007/08 work programme will continue our emphasis on long-standing issues affecting the community-government relationship, but we know these are not problems for us to solve alone.

At this stage, we anticipate three major collaborative projects will focus on:

• building better government engagement with the sector
• improving government funding and accountability arrangements with the sector
• developing non-tax incentives for volunteering and philanthropic giving.

We'll be working alongside a wide range of stakeholders in the sector and within government to help determine priorities and the way forward.  Some work to address the key issues is likely to be lead by the sector, but we will aim to be an active partner, contributing where we can to make the most positive impact. Real progress will only be made with involvement from the sector at national and grassroots levels, local and central government officials, and where appropriate, business and academia.

We are already talking to some of you about how these projects might shape up, but if you're not directly involved you can stay informed of progress and learn of opportunities to provide input via this e-newsletter.

Statistics New Zealand will be launching the Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account on 28 August 2007. The satellite account will pull together economic information on all non-profit organisations in one place. This will enable in-depth analysis of a part of the economy not previously shown separately in New Zealand’s National Accounts.  

The launch event in Wellington will feature an address by the Minister of Statistics, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, and the Government Statistician. Garth Nowland-Foreman (Chair, Committee for the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector) will be Master of Ceremonies.

Iris Webster has joined the OCVS team as a Senior Policy Analyst. Iris is on secondment from the Ministry of Social Development's Planning, Purchase and Governance team, and will be with the OCVS for six months.

Amongst other things, Iris will be working on the research project to report on Pacific peoples' cultural obligations and volunteering. You can read more about Iris’ background on the OCVS website.

The OCVS is in the process of filling our other policy vacancy.

The next Wellington CVS research forum is on Wednesday 22 August, (1pm - 4pm), hosted by the Families Commission; 6th Floor, Public Trust Building, 117-125 Lambton Quay. (See the agenda.)

The forums are convened by ANGOA, (the Association of NGOs of Aotearoa), with assistance from the OCVS.

Approximately 25 people attended an inaugural Community and Voluntary Sector Research Forum in Christchurch on 31 July. Organised by the Christchurch Council of Social Services, the packed agenda included:

• the first aspect of the Community Sector Research Centre: a web-based research clearing-house under the auspices of the UNITEC Not-for-Profit Management programme
• research by Lincoln University into local authority progress in identifying and reporting on community outcomes
• discussion of problems for research contractors when community organisations cannot adequately fund the research they wish to contract
• Christchurch City Council collation of all the research it has undertaken in the past 12 years.

The Privacy Act governs the responsibilities of a person or organisation that collects, stores, discloses or uses personal information about identifiable individuals. 

The Privacy Act applies only to personal information about an identifiable individual. It does not apply to information about organisations, companies or other bodies. Special rules apply when the information collected, stored, disclosed or used by an organisation relates to the health or disabilities of identifiable individuals.

» You can read more about your Privacy Act responsibilities, (including the 12 privacy principles) in the free legal resource Keeping it Legal E Ai Ki Te Ture.

» Check out Fact Sheet #12 on Privacy on the Keeping it Legal website.

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 for inclusion in our email updates.

The Department of Corrections has undertaken a comprehensive review of its existing volunteer policy. The Review of Volunteer Policy - Consultation Document includes 42 recommendations, and the Department is seeking feedback from a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and the wider community.

Feedback can be sent by email to russell.underwood@corrections.govt.nz or by post to the Department of Corrections, Private Bag 1206, Wellington 6140.

» The consultation period runs until 20 September 2007. View the report online.

Applications are now open for the Department of Internal Affairs’ Community Internship Programme. The Community Internship Programme offers a community organisation an opportunity to improve its capabilities by utilising the skills and experience of someone from another sector or organisation.

The Community Internship Programme Affairs provides each successful host organisation with funding for the salary of the intern. The host community organisation is responsible for the provision of administration and resources to support the internship. The first step is to identify an intern with the skills and knowledge to assist your organisation to achieve its development objectives.

Host organisations may apply for community internships of 3 months, 4.5 months or 6 months full-time equivalent with the agreement of the intern and their home organisation. Refer to How The Programme Works for further details.

» More information can be found at: Information for Host Organisations.

» Applications close on 23 October 2007.

The Department of Internal Affairs Support for Volunteering Fund provides grants for projects to support and promote volunteering.

Round One funding is for volunteer centres and applications for this are now closed.

Round Two applications are now being sought from hapū/iwi, Māori, Pacific, ethnic and other community groups and organisations that want to run projects to support and promote volunteering. The maximum grant available is $26,667 (GST exclusive).

» Further details will be available from DIA Regional Advisors and from the website in late August 2007.

» The closing date for Round Two applications is: 29 October 2007. APPLY NOW.

Trustpower has announced the regional award winners for its Community Awards in Clutha District, Waipa District, Tauranga, the Western Bay of Plenty, and Nelson. Volunteer groups receive awards in the areas of heritage and environment, health and wellbeing, arts and culture, sport and leisure, and educational and child/youth development.

The Supreme Award winners in each region were:

• Project Clutha (Clutha District)
• Armistice (Waipa District)
• Tauranga Rotary Centennial Trust (Tauranga)
• Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust (Western Bay of Plenty)
• Altrusa International (Nelson).

BP received over 1,100 applications for its Vouchers for Volunteers programme this year. It has chosen 317 organisations that rely on voluntary assistance and use vehicles in their work. The organisations are spread throughout New Zealand and work in a variety of areas.

SPARC (Sport & Recreation NZ) has a great resource for clubs on its website. Club Kit – Tools to run your Club provides information about how to start a club and run it well. So whether you are involved in a new club or one that has been established for some time, check out this free resource for some great ideas to make your job easier - so you'll be able to really enjoy running your club!

There are a number of postgraduate programmes of interest to those working in the NGO, community and voluntary sector.

These are:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts - study by distance
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) - study by distance and/or part-time
• Master of Social Work (Applied) - study by distance and/or part-time
• Diploma in Social Service Supervision - study by distance and/or part-time.

» To find out more, visit the website or contact Debbie Hill, Postgrad Administrator, ph 06 3569099 x2822.

Many families are active in their communities and are careful to factor this into their work-life balance, according to a survey done through the Families Commission Couch.

Some people struggle to give their families the amount of time and attention they would like to. Others manage to even up the imbalance, but acknowledge it can take careful thought, planning and commitment to make sure the family doesn’t lose out at the expense of work. Some come up with ways to combine all their interests, illustrated in these comments from the survey:

“Integrate your leisure and community activities. For example, join the neighbourhood planting group and take the kids, go for a walk on the beach and pick up rubbish, practise drama/music/art and present it at the local rest home.”

”Ask your manager to consider letting you have three hours per month work time to do your volunteer work. The company then feels that they are contributing to that charity too.”

A growing number of ways to access funding information is making it easier for community groups to apply for funding.

• The Funding Information Service’s FundView, BreakOut and CorporateCitizens data is available by subscription or in public libraries and council offices. It is searchable by geographic area, demographic target, and activity type. www.allaboutfunding.org.nz
• Grants Online(www.cdgo.govt.nz) enables visitors to complete online applications to Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) and/or Lottery Grants Board. The site offers helpful prompts to ensure information is easily understood and applications are quickly and efficiently completed.
• A new online Cultural Funding Guide aims to help cultural groups match projects with potential funders. Developed by Creative NZ, National Services Te Paerangi (Te Papa) and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage with the Funding Information Service, the Guide is hosted by www.NZLive.com.
• A directory of potential funding for sporting organisations is hosted by SPARC at www.sparc.org.nz/about-sparc/funding.

Guidance is even available to help public servants follow good processes in funding community, voluntary and Maori organisations. The Good Practice Funding website, hosted by the OCVS is a key tool for improving government agency funding practice.

Victoria University and Volunteering NZ are conducting research to find out the financial costs of volunteering incurred by volunteers and the organisations they volunteer for, where some or all of these costs are reimbursed.

The information gained will help provide a better understanding of how personal costs have an impact on volunteering and whether they are preventing some people from volunteering. It will also be used in representations to Government about policy developments affecting volunteering.

The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete.

There are two forms of the questionnaires:

• one for volunteers directed to individual volunteers. Complete this survey for volunteers in New Zealand.
• the other is for voluntary organisations, which should be completed by a representative or treasurer of your voluntary organisation. Complete this survey for voluntary organisations in New Zealand.

If possible, please complete the surveys online. 

If you can't do it online, then print out a questionnaire from Volunteering NZ website and send your paper-based responses by fax to 04 3843637 or mail it to Volunteering NZ, P.O. Box 24526, Manners Street, Wellington.

Your contribution is very valuable for the success of this project. It will be treated as strictly private and anonymous.

The Electoral Finance Bill 2007 is progressing quickly and submissions close on 7 September.

The policy objectives of the Bill include to:

• promote participation in parliamentary democracy
• prevent the undue influence of wealth
• provide transparency and accountability to minimise the perception of corruption.

The Bill amends the electoral finance regime in the following areas:

• political donations
• election expenses
• third party advertising
• compliance and enforcement.

Anyone can make a submission on the Bill. You can view the Bill online and download a pdf file from the NZ Parliament website.

If you wish to be added to (or removed from) the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector distribution list for this e-newsletter and other regular communications, send an email to: ocvs@msd.govt.nz with your name and postal address.

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.