Issue 25 - 25 June 2009

At a Promoting Generosity communities-of-interest meeting last week, OCVS Policy Analyst James King presented new data on how income levels and ethnicity impact on the giving of time, money and in-kind donations.

The research is a supplement to the How Do New Zealanders Give? report, released last year.  The data show that income and ethnicity do not make a substantial difference to whether people give, but they do affect what causes and organisations they give to, and how they give.  For example, Pacific peoples have higher than average rates of both volunteering and giving to religious organisations, while people with high personal or household incomes are more likely to make committed donations.

Together with two new Generosity discussion papers, the research will help inform the work of the Promoting Generosity project. The two papers were also made available at the communities-of-interest gathering and are now on the OCVS website.  One paper summarises what we know about generosity in NZ and the other sets out proposals from the Promoting Generosity Hub for a strategic plan, objectives and initiatives to promote generosity.

Last week’s meeting gave the communities-of-interest an opportunity to have input to the plans and discuss next steps for the project.  They also heard from a selection of people representing the different faces of giving.

To see more about what people are thinking and saying about giving, check the following links:

» See new How do NZers Give? Ethnicity & income research supplement

» Read the Minister’s media release on the faces of generosity

» Read the Focus on Generosity Paper 3: What do we know about generosity in NZ?

» Read the Focus on Generosity Paper 4: What can we do to promote generosity in NZ?

» Learn more about the Promoting Generosity project

» Donor rebate adds gloss to giving – NZ Herald article

» Download the original research report: How Do New Zealanders Give?

» Download Mahi Aroha: Māori perspectives on volunteering and cultural obligations

Budget 2009 allocated $1.2 million to strengthen local networks and give a voice to community groups that are often not heard in government processes.

In her media release announcing the funding, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia said: "In a tight economic environment, finding local solutions to cross-community issues is vital and stronger networks will help us to achieve that.

"Stronger tangata whenua and community and voluntary sector networks will be instrumental in finding solutions to important issues for the sector, such as strengthening governance, sharing resources and good management practices."

Minister Turia said the initiative was necessary because local organisations often did not have the opportunity to engage in the policy processes of central government.

The $400,000 annual initiative over three years, beginning in 2009/10, will involve refreshing the membership of the Community Sector Taskforce (CST), which has experience in working with and building local community networks.

The OCVS is now working with the CST to agree on a programme of work for the 2009/10 year.  This will include identifying some local regions to focus on during the first 12 months. 

This work will supplement other initiatives to strengthen community voices and help government decision-making processes to be more responsive.

» Read the statement from Minister Turia about the new funding

» Read more about the Community Sector Taskforce

» Read It’s More than Talk – the discussion document identifying barriers to communities having greater influence on government decision-making

» View presentations from recent Good Practice Participate seminars – including the latest on brokering successful cross-sector partnerships

» Read Minister Turia’s speech from the event where the Government officially received the Good Intentions report from ANGOA

» Whanau Ora Taskforce to find a better way for government to interact with Maori service providers to meet the social service needs of whanau

» See guidance on how communities and citizens can already participate in decision-making

Philanthropy New Zealand, the OCVS and the Department of Internal Affairs are co-ordinating another series of Regional Funders Forums.

The eight forums will be an opportunity for those who provide funding to communities to connect with others in their region for networking, strategising and inspiration.

This year’s forums will focus on the challenges of the global recession and provide a chance to hear how other parts of the world are responding.  Participants will discuss the issues funders face, discover the opportunities that already exist and look for more. The forums will help funders develop strategies to, individually and collectively, play the most effective role in and with New Zealand communities at this time.

Jenny Blagdon, formerly with Barnardos NZ and skilled in community development, will present and facilitate sessions on ways funders can maximise their positive impact during these uncertain times.

The forums started in Hamilton on 22 June and will continue around the regions until the last one in Wellington on 17 July.

» See dates for the 2009 regional funders forums

» 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

Judith Le Harivel joined the OCVS team on 11 May and will be working with us on a fixed-term basis until March 2010, while Kat Paton is seconded to Minister Turia's office as Private Secretary.

Judith will be familiar to many of you as she has previously assisted OCVS on projects such as the regional funders forums and the Building Better Government Engagement project.

Judith has extensive managerial and senior analyst experience in government, particularly in housing and social policy, and more recently has worked as a contractor/consultant to government and the community and voluntary sector. Judith's qualifications include a Master of Public Management degree and a Certificate in Public Participation from the International Association for Public Participation. 

In other staff changes, Gabrielle Benson has returned from her brief secondment to MSD’s Older Peoples Policy team, and her temporary replacement Karen Upton is now filling another short-term role in MSD’s Social Sector Strategy team.  We are sorry to announce that our part-time administrator Madhu Narayan also leaves us this week as her fixed-term contract has come to an end.  We thank Madhu for all her hard work, will miss her and wish her well for the future.

» Read about what the OCVS does

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.

Update: Applications for next funding round due September 2009

The Community Response Fund is a new fund announced in the lead-up to Budget 2009. It is a short-term fund to support community-based, critical social services providing support directly to families, children, young people or older people. To be eligible for the funding, these services must be experiencing severe negative impacts from the economic downturn.

The fund has two key components:

• Financial Crisis Funding - for providers of critical social services who are experiencing severe financial difficulty and are unable to maintain the level of their services as a direct result of the impact of the economic downturn on their funding.
• Demand Funding - for providers of critical social services who are experiencing significantly increased demand for their services from families, children, young people or older people as a direct result of the economic downturn. Innovative responses to increased demand, including working in collaboration with other critical social service providers, are encouraged.

Funding will be made in the form of one-off grants – up to a maximum amount of $50,000 excluding GST. Up to $104 million has been made available over a two-year period for the fund.

Applications are being administered by Family and Community Services (FACS), a service line of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Regional panels with community representation will consider applications every four months.

Applications for the first round of funding close on 3 July 2009, and applicants will be notified of decisions in September.

» Visit the FACS website for details on the new Community Response Fund

» Download an Application Form

» Read Minister Bennett’s speech announcing the new fund and confirming that Pathway to Partnership (P2P) will be maintained, but reshaped.

» Read the June issue of Funding News from Family & Community Services

BP New Zealand has been running its BP Vouchers for Volunteer programme since 2006, and applications are currently open for 2009.

The scheme donates thousands of fuel vouchers to volunteer organisations that use vehicles to get people to essential services or bring them the provisions they need.

An authorised member of a volunteer organisation (eg: Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary) can make an application, but the organisation must:

• be a not-for-profit organisation operating in New Zealand
• utilise the help of unpaid volunteers
• have volunteers who use vehicles in the process of volunteer work for the organisation
• not be a political, environmental or sports organisation or school sports team
• not have any existing contract for the supply of fuel.

» Complete an application form online BEFORE 5 July

» See which non-profits have been successful recipients in previous years

Last week (14-20 June), New Zealand celebrated Volunteer Awareness Week (VAW), and it was great to see so many activities acknowledging the huge contribution of the country’s volunteers.

Much of the publicity focused on how young people are involved in volunteering, but it was pleasing to see volunteers of all types highlighted in a broad range of media – including daily profiles in Wellington’s Dominion Post, and finalists in the National Volunteer Awards featured in Good magazine. A number of news articles recognised the increased importance of volunteers during the recession and happily noted that people are continuing to offer their services during these hard economic times.

Volunteering NZ focused the week on youth to recognise the long-term (often life-long) benefits of early involvement in community work, and celebrate the positive contributions young people are already making on their marae, in their communities and to society.

» Read Minister Turia’s speech at the 2009 National Volunteer Awards

» Read Minister Turia’s speech at May’s National Volunteer Centre hui

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

» Find a volunteering opportunity online at the Volunteer Now website

Human cases of non-seasonal Influenza A (H1N1) 'swine flu' resulting from human-to-human transmission have spread to many countries including New Zealand.  The spread has reached the level of a pandemic, and the Ministry of Health is closely following international developments and advice from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Ministry’s website provides information for the public, health professionals, educational institutions and the media, including resources and updates on the developing situation.

Follow these rules to prevent the spread of germs.

• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Regularly wash your hands and dry them thoroughly
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Reduce time spent in crowded settings
• Stay home if you are sick or have flu symptoms.

» Read the latest information about how to stay well on the Ministry of Health website - Influenza A (H1N1) - along with news about the pandemic, and any developments.

» See how Work & Income can assist you during the pandemic

» Information for employees and employers: Department of Labour - Pandemic Planning

» Information for schools, parents and caregivers: Ministry of Education - Pandemic Planning

The Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) is a community-driven, government-funded scheme providing essential support to non-profit, voluntary and community organisations.  

Every year, over $14 million of COGS funding is distributed to more than 3,000 community groups. Most grants are for $3,000 or less, and contribute to ongoing running costs (such as rent, travel, volunteer and administration expenses), to hosting hui, fono or community workshops, or toward project development costs.

Local Distribution Committees (LDCs) consider and make decisions on grant applications from groups within their local communities. Each LDC sets local priorities.
» Find out more about COGS funding

» Apply online at Grants Online

• Presentations from recent OCVS events:
  » Brokering successful cross-sector partnerships – Good Practice Participate seminar presentation by Trish Hall
  » Working with complex adaptive systems – Good Practice in Action workshop presentation by Jim Olsen

   

• Newsletters you can freely subscribe to:
  » Read NZ Council of Christian Social Services Policy Watch
  » Read the Social Services Industry Training organisation June newsletter
  » Read the first edition of Ethnic Whispers  - a new online newsletter from the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

   

• Research and papers from the Promoting Generosity project:
  » How do NZers Give? Ethnicity & income research supplement (NEW)
  » The original research report: How Do New Zealanders Give?
  » Focus on Generosity Paper 3: What do we know about generosity in NZ?
  » Focus on Generosity Paper 4: How can we do to promote generosity in NZ?

   

• UMR research on trust shows a narrow majority of New Zealanders (56%) say most people can be trusted.
  » Read more about this research online

   

• Palmerston North Sector Profiles 2009: Not-for Profit was officially launched by the local Mayor as part of Volunteer Awareness Week. 
  The profile highlights the not-for-profit sector’s contribution to the demographic and economic growth of the region. It provides regional information on each of the key sub-sectors of the community sector using data from Census 2006, Statistics NZ’s Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account, and various reports and input from OCVS. It also identifies support the Council provides to the local not-for-profit sector, such as rates and rental support, funding and infrastructure.
  » Download a PDF of the profile from the Palmerston North City Council website

   

• Mapping the Trends in Auckland Region is a new web-based report by Statistics New Zealand released on 22 June.
  It focuses on the region’s geographical patterns and how they are changing. Topics include population density, ethnicity, education, labour force, and commuting.
  » See more about this report.

   

• Presentations from the Governance for Auckland - What the Royal Commission report means for you conference hosted by Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
  This conference included a range of business, community and academic leaders who presented on and discussed what the recent decisions on the governance of Auckland mean for the Auckland region.
  » View the AUT Auckland Governance Conference - presentations

 

• Systems thinking for solving complex problems  - a workshop presentation by Professor Kambiz Maani, an internationally renowned expert in systems thinking and sustainable strategies.
  This presentation introduces ‘systems thinking’ as a tool for helping central and local government work better together and address complex problems. It covers the theory, tools and language of ‘systems thinking’.
  » View systems thinking presentation by Professor Kambiz Maani
  » Example of a ‘systems diagram’ showing drivers of successful central and local government collaboration – as identified by around 40 agencies working in small groups

 

• Understanding the Drivers: Summary Report from the State Services Commission.
  In 2007, the SSC began research to find out more about New Zealanders' experience of public services. This research identified some key factors (or drivers) that have the greatest influence on New Zealanders' satisfaction with, and trust in, public services.
  » Read the latest research findings

   

• Kiwis & Government Online Survey (2008) - State Services Commission.
  Findings from quantitative research done on New Zealanders' satisfaction with government's online services.
  » View the report online.

   

• The cap on core government administration – SSC Factsheet
  The number of employees within core government administration has been set at 38,859 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff positions. The cap will be applied globally and is based on the number of FTE staff plus unfilled vacancies as at 31 December 2008.
  » Read the fact sheet on capping the core government administration on the SSC website

 

• An Introduction to SMS Use in Government – State Services Commission.
  This introduction serves as a starting place for government agencies considering the implications that short message services (SMS) may have on their core business. It offers case studies of agencies already using SMS, and lists some of the lessons learnt. It is not intended to be a definite guide, nor as hard and fast laws. It is hoped that agencies will add case studies as more projects are completed.
  » Read more about this new guide or download a PDF

 

• Treaty of Waitangi Questions & Answers – 3^rd revised edition published by Network Waitangi.
  First published in 1989, this covers many historical and contemporary issues and includes a summary of legislation and events since 1840. It is aimed at people who want to gain a basic knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications, but will also be useful for those who want to refresh and update their understanding.
  » The lead distributor is the Treaty Resource Centre.

   

• The Māori social science academy and evidence-based policy – by Juan Marcellus Tauri.
  This paper focuses on recent moves to forge stronger linkages between the Māori social science academy and the policy industry. The paper ends with a discussion of the possibilities and problems associated with engagement with the policy industry, particularly as these relate to the various roles members can (or are forced to) take; either as ‘insiders’ (such as policy workers and contract researchers), or independent, critical ‘outsiders’.
  » Download this paper from the MAI Review 2009, Issue 1

   

• Behind the Beehive buzz: sources of occupational stress for New Zealand policy officials – by Karen Baehler and Jane Bryson, Victoria University of Wellington.
  This article reports on sources of stress identified by 24 policy managers and senior advisers in the NZ State Service. Stressors were similar, but also different, to those commonly found in the stress literature. The differences were particularly noticeable in workload demands, which were not only quantitative (too much and urgent work) but also qualitative (technically difficult work), and these combined uniquely with role proliferation and complexity (multi-tasking), and a policy professional culture in which there was pressure to over-perform.
  » Read this article on the Royal Society website

   

• Learning to Care: The social and economic benefits of St John Youth.
  This report is the result of a social impact assessment of St John Youth conducted by Corydon Consultants Ltd.  It offers insight into St John’s programmes and the realities for volunteer roles, as well as identifying the benefits the programmes offer not only members, but schools and communities also.
  » For more info, contact the Order of St John

   

• Foundation principles for community participation – produced by the NZ Federation of Vocational and Support Services Inc (VASS) and Standards & Monitoring Services.
  This document provides a touchstone and common frame of reference for people with disabilities, their families and service providers.  It includes 13 principles accompanied by personal outcomes for service users and service implications for service providers.
  » Copies of this resource are available from VASS for the cost of postage

   

• Four new publications from Archives NZ’s Community Archives Group.
  - the Directory of Archives in New Zealand
  - the Community Archives Survey Report which acknowledges the work of volunteers in community archives
  - the Funding Guide for Community Archives
  - the Toolkit for Community Archives
  These are being distributed free of charge to community archives and are available online.
  » Find out more at www.archives.govt.nz./communityarchives/publications.php

 

• New Community Archive online tool to showcase the nation’s archival holdings.
  Organisations and individuals can now register their archives and manuscripts online in the Community Archive. A register for archives and manuscripts began in 1954 – when people recognised the importance of maintaining collections in their own communities for their own and the benefit of others. Strong commitment and the dedication of volunteers saw the register thrive, and now some 200 individuals and organisations are listed. Archives NZ took over its management in 2004, and redeveloped the system to make it fit-for-purpose as the result of feedback from users and contributors.  Now users can upload their own information when they want and in their own time. The Community Archive is free to use for those who want to be part of this online community.
  » The Community Archive is at: www.thecommunityarchive.org.nz

   

• Statistics NZ Table Builder.
  Table Builder is a web tool that enables you to build your own tables of data from datasets such as census, business statistics, household economic statistics, recorded crime statistics plus many more. A help section is available on the Table Builder homepage and it includes a series of video clips with step-by-step instructions.
  » Use it online at www.stats.govt.nz/tablebuilder

• The June issue of Alliance magazine focuses on the role of philanthropy in state building and democracy promotion.
  » Read the articles online at www.alliancemagazine.org/en/content/june-2009

• Helping Out: A national survey of volunteering and charitable giving – produced by the Cabinet Office, Office of the Third Sector, UK.
  The main aims of the study were to examine:
  - how and why people give unpaid help to organisations, and what they think of their experiences
  - what stops people from giving help
  - the links between giving time and giving money
  - how, why and how much people give money to charity
  - what stops people from giving money to charity.
  » Download a PDF of this UK report  or visit the Office of the Third Sector website

• Research finds content key to online donations - Nielsen Norman Group, USA.
  American user research has found significant deficiencies in non-profit organisations' website content, which often fails to provide the information people need to make donation decisions. Usability studies revealed considerable frustration as potential donors visited sites and tried to discern various organisations' missions and goals - which are key factors in their decisions about whether to give money. The research concludes that non-profit organisations would collect much more from their websites if they clearly stated what they are about and how they use donations.
  » Read a summary of the research at: www.useit.com/alertbox/nonprofit-donations.html

• donorCentrics Internet Giving Benchmarking Analysis – USA.
  This report shows online giving is still small, but growing - however integrated marketing is the key to donor retention.
  » Download this report online

• Are we there yet? – A communications evaluation guide produced by the Communications Network, USA.
  Katya Andresen’s non-profit marketing blog includes a link to a study that answers the elusive question, “how can we tell if our communications efforts are working?” The study explains why you’d better evaluate your messaging efforts and how to go about it.
  » Read more and download the guide

• From Poverty to Power: How active citizens and effective states can change the world, United Kingdom.
  The twenty-first century will be defined by the fight against the scourges of poverty, inequality, and the threat of environmental collapse – as the fight against slavery or for universal suffrage defined earlier eras. From Poverty to Power argues that it requires a radical redistribution of power, opportunities, and assets to break the cycle of poverty and inequality and to give poor people power over their own destinies The forces driving this transformation are active citizens and effective states. This book argues that leaders, organisations, and individuals need to act together, while there is still time.
  »  Available from the Institute of Development Studies: www.ntd.co.uk/idsbookshop/details.asp?id=1076

• Citizen involvement in local governance, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK.
  A look at the involvement and influence of citizens and service users in decision-making and governance in their local area. This report 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.
  » Read this at www.jrf.org.uk/publications/citizen-involvement-governance

• Empowering communities to influence local decision making - A systematic review of the evidence produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government, UK.
  This reviews attempts to make sense of variable and often competing or contrasting evidence in order to identify which mechanisms empower; in what ways, and in what contexts.
  » Read this online

• Bridging the gap between government and the people – Australia.
  Marian Sawer, an adjunct professor at the ANU’s School of Social Sciences and Director of the Democratic Audit-ANU, explores how effectively Australian governments engage with the community.
  » Read this report on the Australian Policy Online website.

• A quiet revolution - Griffith Review: Participation Society edition, Australia.
  This essay discusses how the third sector can often solve complex social problems with more agility and innovation than the government or private sector.
  » Read an excerpt at www3.griffith.edu.au/01/griffithreview/toc.php

• Real communities - Griffith Review: Participation Society edition, Australia.
  Social researcher Hugh Mackay's essay on making social investments in our communities states that investing in our economic future is a worthwhile thing to do, and is most rewarding in the long term if, like philanthropy, it is undertaken as a form of social engagement.
  » Read an excerpt at www3.griffith.edu.au/01/griffithreview/toc.php

• Frequently asked questions on economic, social and cultural rights - United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  Strengthening the protection of economic, social and cultural rights is an integral part of strengthening the protection of all the rights recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This new Fact Sheet (#33) seeks to demystify economic, social and cultural rights, and answer some of the most common questions put to practitioners. While it assumes a certain basic knowledge about human rights, it should be useful for a wider public.
  » Download Fact Sheet # 33 from www.ohchr.org

• Summary Report: Understanding Muslim ethnic communities from the Department for Communities and Local Government, UK.
  This report synthesises the findings of separate research and reports on 13 Muslim ethnic diaspora communities in England. Communities originated from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Turkey. The research aimed to identify the key characteristics of these Muslim communities in order to guide communities and local government’s work and delivery of projects, as well as informing its international engagement programme.
  » Read this report online

• Is 'Close the Gap' a useful approach? by Kerryn Pholi, Dan Black and Craig Richards, Australian Review of Public Affairs.
  This reports finds the pursuit of statistical equality (in areas such as Indigenous disadvantage, health status and life expectancy) reduces Indigenous Australians to a range of indicators of deficit, to be monitored and rectified towards government-set targets – creating a substantial imbalance in power and control over the Indigenous affairs agenda in Australia.
  » Read the report online

• Using the views of children and young people to shape decision-making in service planning and practice - from a Stay Safe conference in Birmingham, UK. (February 2009)
  - Children on bullying and staying safe from harm - Roger Morgan
  - Safer care – listening and talking to children and young people - David Derbyshire
  - Safe to play? - Issy Cole-Hamilton
  - Domestic violence, children’s voices and child contact - Gillian Macdonald
  - Auditing consultation and research with children and young people in Sheffield - Boyd Livingstone.
  » View the Research in Practice report on these presentations online

• Contribution of the not-for-profit sector - Australian Productivity Commission.
  In addition to being a key service provider, the role of the sector in promoting social cohesion, raising civic awareness and facilitating participation in community activities — all of which have indirect economic and social benefits — is increasingly acknowledged by policymakers. Against this backdrop, the Australian government has foreshadowed the need for changes in governance arrangements underlying its relationship with the sector, including through a National Compact or agreement setting out the basis on which future collaboration will occur. This issues paper was released to assist participants in preparing submissions to the commissioned study into the Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector.
  » Read more about the Australian report online
  » New Zealand has already completed its Study of the Non-profit Sector
  – read about the NZ study or download the associated reports online 

• New Budget Allocator being tested online via Bang the Table – Australia.
  A new tool to consult communities about where they think discretionary funding should be directed aims to help communities have their say, while recognising that no budget is unlimited.
  » Test the tool at www.budgetallocator.com and fill in the survey.

• Bang the Table blog - Australia.
  In his May blog, Matt Crozier talks about:
  » Engaging young people online
  » Using Facebook as a community engagement tool.

• Board matters - New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), UK.
  95% of people in the UK are unaware that they can support a charity by becoming a trustee, which helps explain why nearly half of charities have vacancies on their boards. NPC’s report questions the strength of trustee boards in the charity sector, and argues that recruitment, training and evaluation of board members is frequently neglected because charities and funders do not prioritise governance. The report highlights a number of improvements that could help to strengthen trusteeship, including:
  - More action on recruitment from charities, funders and government, to build people’s interest in trusteeship as a way of supporting charities and to increase the diversity of boards.
  - Better support once boards are established, such as more thorough inductions for new trustees and increased opportunities for trustees to learn from each other. NPC believes there is a need for a body responsible for trusteeship, which could co-ordinate efforts to improve standards, put information about charity governance in one accessible place, and encourage networking.
  - A stronger focus on boards evaluating their own performance, particularly those of large organisations. Regular appraisals and evaluations of boards are critical to long-term effectiveness. NPC thinks that funders could make a big difference by supporting larger grantees to undertake this.
  » Read this report online at www.philanthropycapital.org/download/default.aspx?id=994

June (in New Zealand)

18 June:  IPANZ Gen-iPublicSectorExcellenceAwards presented.
Categories included Excellence in Improving Performance through People, Managerial Leadership, Crown-Māori Relationships, Networked Government, and Working Together for Better Services.
» See details of the finalists and winners

24 June-24 July:   Matariki – the Aotearoa Pacific New Year festival.
Matariki is a celebration of culture, language, spirit and people. In the Far North, Matariki Muriwhenua 2009 will be a month-long festival. As part of this celebration they are profiling the wonderful work done by volunteers, essential in isolated, rural communities. The campaign will leverage off Matariki and is named ‘Volunteers are Stars’. Gold stars (with this text) can be bought (with a small donation) at any of the six local banks.
» Look online to learn more about Matariki around Aotearoa
» Contact Advance Northland Tourism for more info about Matariki Muriwhenua.

25 June- 1 July:  Safekids campaign: Child injury prevention workshops – in Whangarei, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.
These free half-day workshops will introduce the themes of the 2009/2010 Campaign - Motor Vehicle Child Passenger Safety and the prevention of Cutting and Piercing Injuries.
» To find out about a workshop in your area, contact your Safekids coalition leader or visit the Safekids website.

29 June:   E-Engage Your Community workshop - internet and communication technologies for a changing world – Auckland.

30 June:   From silos to collaboration within organisations course starts at the Wellington Psychodrama Training Institute. 
» For more details, e-mail admin@wpti.org.nz or visit www.psychodrama.org.nz.

30 June:  Closing date for Museum and Iwi Development Grant applications.
» Find out more at www.tepapa.govt.nz

30 June:   Deadline for comments and feedback on the draft paper Religion in NZ Schools: Questions and Concerns - prepared by the Human Rights Commission and Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University.
» For more details, see www.hrc.co.nz

July (in New Zealand)

2 July:   IAP2 Wellington region meeting: E-engagement – engagement for the 21st century?
5.30pm-7.30pm, Level 1, Environment House, 23 Kate Sheppard Place, Thorndon, Wellington.
» Rsvp and enquiries to - nznorth@iap2.org.au 
» Read more about the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)

3 July:  Closing date for first round of applications for the Community Response Fund
» See story # 05 above

5 July:  Closing date for BP Vouchers for Volunteers applications
» See story # 06 above

8 July:  ANGOA community sector monthly roundtable meeting – Wellington
» Find out more details online

13 July:   Regional Funders Forum – Queenstown (see story # 03 above).
» Find out more online

14 July:    Regional Funders Forum – Christchurch (see story # 03 above).
» Find out more online

15 July:    Regional Funders Forum – Rotorua (see story # 03 above).
» Find out more online

16 July:    Regional Funders Forum – New Plymouth (see story # 03 above).
» Find out more online

17 July:   Regional Funders Forum – Wellington (see story # 03 above).
» Find out more online

17 July:   Closing date for entries in the NZ Post Group Local Government Excellence Awards.
Categories include Joined-up Local Government, Improved Local Regulation, Council-Community Relationships; and Building Organisational Capability.
» Find out more at www.solgm.co.nz/NZPOSTAWARDS/

24 July:   Systems thinking for solving complex problems – Wellington.
Led by Professor Kambiz Maani, an internationally renowned expert in systems thinking and sustainable strategies, participants will learn how to use systems thinking as a tool for multi-dimensional, multi-stakeholder decision-making at local and national levels.
» To register for this Department of Internal Affairs and SOLGM Opus Business School event, or to download a seminar programme, visit the SOLGM website

28 July:    Promoting the importance of financial literacy: A critical factor in achieving personal financial wellbeing for New Zealanders.
An IPANZ-Axford Fellowships report back seminar – Wellington.
Speaker, Robyn Dupuis, Policy Research Analyst, Washington State House of Representatives spent her six-month Ian Axford Fellowship placed at the Retirement Commission in Wellington.
» Find out more about this seminar on the IPANZ website

28 July:   Simple evaluation planning for non-evaluators workshop – Christchurch.
People working in many different roles have to develop evaluation plans. This workshop will teach a process that lets you develop an evaluation based around a visual results model (also called an intervention logic or outcomes model).
» Find out more online

29 July:   Risk management in NZ intellectual disability services: Balancing control and autonomy.
An IPANZ-Axford Fellowships report back seminar – Wellington.
The speaker is Alexandra Bonardi, Assistant Director, Center for Development Disabilities Evaluation and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA.
» Find out more about this seminar on the IPANZ website

29 July:    Building better intervention logics, faster – Levels I & 2 workshops – Christchurch.
By the end of these workshops presented by Dr Paul Duignan, you will understand:
- Why you are drawing intervention logics (outcomes models)
- How they fit at the centre of strategy, monitoring and evaluation
- How they 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
» See more information about Dr Duignan’s approach to managing outcomes online at: www.easyoutcomes.org and www.outcomesblog.org.

30 July:   Partnering for results workshop – Wellington.
Presented by Trish Hall of Thought Partners.
» Find out more online

31 July:   Documenting the implementation of Ka Hikitia: Managing for success/Maori education strategy 2008-12.
An IPANZ-Axford Fellowships report back seminar – Wellington.
The speaker is Paul Goren, Vice President, The Spencer Foundation (USA).
» Find out more about this seminar on the IPANZ website

31 July:  Closing date for Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) applications
» See story # 09 above

31 July:   Closing date for New Zealanders to apply for a NZ Winston Churchill Memorial Trust fellowship, in order to conduct research overseas.
» Find out how to apply on the Department of Internal Affairs website

August (in New Zealand)

1 Aug:   Deadline for nominations for the New Years honours.
Anyone can make a nomination – Find out how YOU can nominate hard-working volunteers and community workers in your area.
» The official NZ Royal Honours System

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

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 that lets you develop an evaluation based around a visual results model (also called an intervention logic or outcomes model).
» Find out more online

20 Aug:    Building better intervention logics, faster – Levels I & 2 workshops – Wellington.
By the end of these workshops presented by Dr Paul Duignan, you will understand:
- Why you are drawing intervention logics (outcomes models)
- How they fit at the centre of strategy, monitoring and evaluation
- How they 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

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 – and 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 events on the Human Rights Commission website

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

The rest of 2009 (in New Zealand)

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

14-16 Sept:    ASENZ supported employment conference – Wellington.
» Find out more at: www.asenz.org.nz

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

24-25 Sept:   3rd Caring for the Carers Summit, Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland.
Carers NZ will host this summit, which will include an afternoon Work Life Care! workshop for employers, human resource managers, unions, support and government agencies, and carers. Scholarships for carers will be available.
» To register your interest for the Summit, phone Sara in the Far North (09) 406 0412, or email sara@carers.net.nz. 

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 Zealand Hindu Elders Conference in Auckland – organised by the Hindu Elders Foundation, a division of Hindu Council of New Zealand Inc.
The conference will include a panel discussion on government agencies' and NGOs' assistance to Hindu Elders.
» Read more on the HRC website

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

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

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

11 Nov:  ANGOA community sector monthly roundtable meeting – 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 http://ndf.natlib.govt.nz/about/2009-conference.htm

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

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

International events

9 July:    Giving and volunteering research conference 2009, Amsterdam.
The Department of Philanthropic Studies at VU University, Amsterdam is hosting this conference to foster co-operation and the exchange of ideas between academic researchers and practitioners from the philanthropic sector.  
» Find out more online at www.ngopulse.org or www.giving.nl/.

15-17 July:   Your trusted partners in turbulent times – 2-hour seminars in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne - Australia.
Whatever your role in membership development, Kevin Cahalane will give you guidelines, tools and valuable ideas to recruit more members, engage with your members and build their loyalty, grow member revenue and renew their memberships, year after year – whatever the economic market is doing.
» Read more about these events at www.membershipgrowth.com.au/

10 Aug – 7 Dec:   Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement professional program presented by the University of Sydney, in collaboration with the Fielding Graduate University through the United States Studies Centre.
This program 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 program 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

26-29 Nov:   12th IAVE Asia Pacific 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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