Issue 27 - 24 September 2009

The Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill passed its third reading in Parliament last week – paving the way for the introduction of payroll giving.

Payroll giving enables donations to go directly from a person’s pay to a chosen community organisation. The scheme will be administered through the PAYE tax system, so people whose employers sign up for the scheme will receive the tax benefits of their donations each payday, without having to present donation receipts or wait to claim at the end of a tax year.

There will be a three month delay before the new payroll giving scheme is introduced – giving Inland Revenue, the OCVS and the community sector time to communicate how employers can go about setting up payroll giving schemes with their employees.

From January 2010, the first businesses and employees will be able to sign up to payroll giving and the first community organisations will start to benefit. Resources promoting these changes will be available in October, including a mail-out to employers from Inland Revenue. The OCVS will be working with a range of community organisations to spread the word and offer guidance.

Payroll giving will be voluntary for employers and employees and will only be available for organisations that file their PAYE returns online. If New Zealand follows overseas trends, uptake of payroll giving may take time but, as people recognise the benefits, its popularity will grow.

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Tariana Turia, welcomed the introduction of the new tax legislation to encourage the giving of time and money.

“I am calling on employers and their staff to investigate payroll giving as a way of supporting the community and voluntary sector. It is an effective and efficient way to donate to donee organisations such as marae, schools and charities,” said Minister Turia.

As part of the tax bill, the Government also simplified the reimbursement of volunteers' expenses. Reimbursement for expenses is now tax exempt, reducing tax and compliance costs for voluntary organisations and volunteers. Honoraria remain taxed as they are payments made for service.

These changes build on the earlier removal of donation tax credit and deduction thresholds for individual, businesses and Maori Authority donors. Since 1 April 2008, people have been able to claim back one third of all qualifying donations they make to donee organisations up to the level of their taxable income.

» Read the media release from the Minister of Revenue – outlining other changes in this omnibus tax bill

» Read the media release on payroll giving from the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

» See the media responses from Givealittle and from ComVoices and Volunteering NZ

» Visit the tax policy website to learn more about the tax changes once the legislation has Royal assent

» 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

» Watch for more news on payroll giving in the months ahead

In early September, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector released publicly a Cabinet paper entitled Government Commitment to Building Strong Community Relationships. This paper proposes a programme of actions to strengthen government engagement with citizens and communities.

The programme of action was in response to the Good Intentions report by the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa (ANGOA) and the From Talk to Action report by the Building Better Government Engagement reference group.

Cabinet agreed that a national Community-Government Forum in November 2009 will consider development of a Relationship Agreement to replace the 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship.

Cabinet also agreed that the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, assisted by the State Services Commission and Te Puni Kōkiri, and in consultation with the Treasury and Office of the Auditor-General, will assess how community relationships can be included in wider work around improving and measuring government performance

The government will also be working on the development of:

• a set of principles to guide effective community engagement
  (From Talk to Action included the OECD Guiding Principles for Engaging Citizens as a starting point for discussion)
• a code of practice to guide government agencies when funding community organisations
• regionally-delivered seminars on good practice in community engagement.

Other actions across government were also noted by Cabinet, including work to clarify CabGuide guidance regarding consultation with community and voluntary organisations on policy proposals.

» See the Cabinet paper and Minute - released 7 Sept 2009

Planning for a national Community-Government Forum to be held in Wellington on 11 November is well underway.

The event will be an opportunity for government to hear the voices of the community and discuss specific actions in response to the recent reports from the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations Aotearoa (ANGOA) and the Building Better Government Engagement (BBGE) reference group.  The forum will also discuss possible development of a Relationship Agreement to replace the 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship. 

A steering group of community stakeholders is helping the OCVS organise the forum and plan the day’s programme. Their latest challenging task has been considering the hundreds of expressions of interest received from community groups throughout the country. Unfortunately not all those who want to will be able to attend, but the group is doing its best to ensure there is a range of representation from different localities, sub-sectors and population groups. Those who expressed interest will be notified of their acceptance (or not) by the first week of October.  Assistance towards travel costs will be available for those who need it.

There are likely to be opportunities for those who don’t attend, to be involved in ongoing discussion following the forum – but the detail of this will not be known until after the forum.

The national forum will be hosted by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Hon. Tariana Turia. The Prime Minister and other government Ministers are scheduled to attend part of the day-long event, which will be a further step towards building strong and trusting community-government relationships. Relevant government agency representatives will also attend.

» Read more about planning for the forum

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

» Download ANGOA’s report: Good Intentions - An Assessment of the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship

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

At a communities-of-interest meeting in June 2009, the Promoting Generosity Hub (working group) updated participants on its progress with the Generosity Project, and presented plans and initiatives for future work.  The Generosity Project was set up to explore ways to encourage individuals and businesses to participate in their communities and local community organisations by giving time, money, in-kind donations and acts of kindness.

The Hub asked participants to give feedback and to assist the Hub in identifying priorities. Following extensive discussion and strong interest in the proposed initiatives, the Hub developed seven key projects, each led by a Hub member.

There are nearly 30 initiatives within these projects, including:

• using social networking sites to promote generosity
• promoting the ‘three money box initiative’ for children - one for spending, one for saving, one to give to charity 
• encouraging ‘giving circles’ to encourage people to be involved in giving money and time
• establishing a Corporate Social Responsibility network.

» See more about the 7 key projects and who is leading them

» Read a more detailed Update from the Hub (working group)

» Download notes from discussions at June’s meeting

» 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 chosen charity

» Check out Philanthropy New Zealand's giving guide

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

The latest OCVS Good Engagement seminar on stakeholder engagement proved so popular we had to turn away about 50 people due to space limitations.  We apologise to all those who couldn’t attend, but are thrilled that so many people within government and the community sector have such an interest in this topic. 

The presentation by Kate Irvine and Peter Barton from the Ministry for the Environment’s Stakeholder Engagement team provided insight to the Ministry’s systematic approach to building key relationships. There was particular interest in the toolkit the Ministry developed to help staff implement planning techniques to build a sound knowledge of stakeholders’ needs and an understanding of how to work collectively. 

We are planning further engagement seminars for later this year and next, and will also be taking a couple of events out to regions around the country.  We recommend that if you see a future seminar topic that interests you, then you get registered as quickly as possible.

» View past presentations on good engagement including the latest one from the Ministry for the Environment

» Learn more about engaging with stakeholders and community participation at www.goodpracticeparticipate.govt.nz

New content has been added to the Good Practice Participate website to help government agencies and community groups reach wider communities and potential stakeholders.

Descriptions of various newsletters and panui that go to different parts of the community sector have been added to the Information Provision section of the website, so people can identify opportunities to inform communities they do not already reach. 

The aim is to add more community newsletters to the site as publishers provide information about their distribution and deadlines. Some have already responded and more contributions are likely in the coming weeks. The wide range of newsletters will hopefully prove useful to a variety of organisations.

The list includes distribution details for this OCVS e-newsletter, which is sent to approximately 10,450 unique e-mail addresses. Recipients include 1,400 people in 940 social service non-government organisations, 1,411 people in 984 community health groups, 71 community groups involved in arts and heritage, 182 sport and recreation bodies, 373 groups involved with Mäori, 65 organisations working with Pasifika peoples and 85 with ethnic communities, 499 groups interested in youth and 815 in disability, 378 government or philanthropic funders and 1,720 state servants in 404 state sector agencies, crown entities, state schools and tertiary institutions.

» See the current list of newsletters on Good Practice Participate

» E-mail details of your community newsletter to ocvs@msd.govt.nz

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.

A new contracting model announced by the Minister for Social Development and Employment, will create a new and simpler way of funding and contracting.

Under this model, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will combine multiple contracts into a single, simple contract and simplify the provider’s reporting requirements, so they are more effective and results-based. The changes aim to give providers greater flexibility to support Kiwi families while at the same time delivering value for money for the taxpayer.

The model will initially be trialled with two community providers: Waipuna Youth and Community Trust in Christchurch and Ngati Awa Social Services in Whakatane. The Ministry of Social Development aims to have 20 providers involved by mid-2010.

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Tariana Turia, welcomed efforts to cut down unnecessary bureaucracy, saying: "This gives me confidence that other government agencies can have a more integrated approach whereby the real focus is on outcomes for families and communities."

The innovative approach to funding contracts builds on previous initiatives such as the Integrated Contracts project led by Family and Community Services (in MSD), designed for social service providers funded by two or more government agencies.

» Read the announcement from the Minister for Social Development and Employment

» See reaction from the NZ Federation for Voluntary Welfare Organisations

» See the media response from ComVoices: Sector applauds new funding model

» Read background on the Integrated Contracts project

» See guidance on managing government funding on the Good Practice Funding website

Following recent publicity about the costs of fundraising, the Charities Commission has added information to its website answering a range of related questions.

• Are there rules about how much of the funding raised by charities must be spent on their cause?
• Do charities have to publish their accounts?
• Are charities allowed to employ fundraising agencies and pay them?
• Can the Charities Commission look into a charity or its fundraising?
• What is 'reasonable' for a charity to spend on fundraising?
• Who monitors fundraising agencies?
• How can I be sure that my donation gets to the charity I gave it to?
• How can I be sure that if a fundraiser contacts me, my donation is actually going to the charity?
• How do I work out from a charity's Annual Return (on the Charities Register) how much it spent on its cause?
• Why doesn’t the Commission just show a 'ratio' of how much income a charity received, compared with its expenses?

» To find out the answers to these questions, go to the Charities Commission website

» A PDF information sheet – Tips for donors, supporters and those considering volunteering for a charity – is also available

» Watch the TVNZ Close-up story on fundraising costs – including comment from the Fundraising Institute and Givealittle

» See other generosity related links on the Promoting Generosity Project webpage

The Social Services Industry Training Organisation (SSITO) is inviting social service sector agencies to apply for enrolment in its service to recognise in-house training programmes for staff and volunteers against unit standards.

A 2008 feasibility study showed it was possible to match unit standards to existing in-house training programmes, and associated reviews helped share learning across agencies and strengthen training processes.

Expressions of interest are now sought from social service agencies that:

1. run an existing in-house training programme for volunteers, staff and/or community participants. The programme must not already have NZQA course approval.
2. have the staff capacity to participate in all aspects of the service – i.e. Training, systems review, mapping of the in-house training programme to unit standards.
3. are willing to encourage staff/volunteers to complete national qualifications (i.e. through work-based assessment – using internal or SSITO-assigned external assessors).

A participation plan for each agency involved in the service will be jointly developed by SSITO and the agency. Organisations can apply for recognition of more than one in-house training programme, using a separate application for each.

SSITO will cover the costs of agencies’ participation in the service, including travel and accommodation for agency staff to attend meetings and training; hosting a review team onsite; participating in a peer review of at least one other agency’s training system; assistance with ‘mapping’ the in-house training to unit standards. Agencies will need to cover the salary cost of their staff time and development costs where programme changes are needed to align with unit standards or improve effectiveness.

If you can’t apply in 2009, but think this service may be useful to your organisation contact jac.lynch@socialservicesito.org.nz so you can discuss a preparation plan for the future.

Applications are due by 5pm, Friday 30 October 2009.

» Contact the Project Manager, Jac Lynch on 04 915 7711 or 0800 558 558 or email jac.lynch@socialservicesito.org.nz to discuss the project or application process

The Rugby World Cup 2011 festival is less than two years away and the Rugby New Zealand 2011 Volunteers Programme will be key to its success.  Nearly 5,000 volunteers will be needed across the country in many different roles.  

Volunteers will be the face of the festival at airports and the 13 centres hosting games. Organisers aim to provide a positive and valuable volunteer experience for New Zealanders. Cup organisers will provide volunteer training and experiences that will enhance volunteers’ skills and abilities.  Volunteers will be able to use existing skills in a number of specialised roles or choose to volunteer at the venues or in the community.  For some, volunteering will mean free entry to sold-out games, while others will get the chance to meet rugby stars.

» Register your interest to be a host or volunteer online at www.nz2011.govt.nz

» Visit the Rugby World Cup website

A research team at Victoria University has started surveying NGOs on how they go about making sure the voices of their organisations and constituencies are represented to policymakers and politicians. 

The researchers want to hear from large and small community sector organisations about any actions taken over the past 10 years to influence politicians, political parties, local bodies, and public servants. They are also collecting information about the successes and failures that have to be coped with when NGOs actively participate in political decision-making.  

Community sector organisations that wish to contribute to this research, should contact Sandra Grey or Charles Sedgwick at the School of Social and Cultural Studies, Victoria University of Wellington.

» E-mail sandra.grey@vuw.ac.nz or Charles.sedgwick@vuw.ac.nz or phone 04 463 5361 and they will send you a copy of the survey

» Read a one-page information sheet (Word, 216.5KB) about the research

» See a 2004 report based on a similar study in Australia: Silencing Dissent: Non-government organisations and Australian democracy

The new Break-Away School Holiday Programme aims to provide fun and structured, daily holiday activity programmes for young people aged 11-17 years who would not normally have access to them. The Government is funding 15,000 places over the 12-week school holiday period to June 2010 and 30,000 places each year from July 2010.

Family and Community Services (within the Ministry of Social Development) will contract community-based providers to run the Breakaway School Holiday Programmes in targeted areas through its standard tender process.  Providers will be funded $100 for each one week placement. Tenders open on www.gets.govt.nz on 28 September and close on 16 October 2009.

» More information is in the factsheet available on the Family and Community Services website

• Radio NZ's Insight programme- Perfect Storm.
  This half-hour programme on National Radio explored how the recession is affecting the not-for-profit sector. Compiled by Sue Ingram, it features interviews and comments from a wide range of people in the community and government sectors.
  » Listen to the National Radio interviews (originally broadcast 30 August 2009)

• The Vulnerability Report No 2 – from the NZ Council of Christian Social Services.
  This report covers the period from April to July 2009 and pulls together a range of official government data and statistics from community-based agencies, many of which are continuing to report increased demand for services, particularly food, emergency accommodation and budgeting. The report shows some NZCCSS member agencies are reporting unprecedented numbers of people approaching them for help and are struggling to cope with the additional volumes.  Strategies to manage include introducing waiting lists and reducing client contact time.  Some larger agencies are also receiving more referrals from other smaller community organisations that no longer have any capacity to absorb new work. 
  » Download the report from the NZCCSS website
  » See deadlines for Community Response Fund applications below

• Community Organisation Stocktake Report – A snapshot of how community organisations in Porirua city are faring at present  - Porirua City Council, August 2009.
  This report on the current general health of community infrastructure in Porirua City captures the influence of the current economic climate. The report compiles information to assist city organisations, government departments, and Council in their planning, funding and advocacy work. The report attempts to capture the impacts of government policy; but is not intended to be a political statement. The focus of the research was on organisations that provide critical support services to residents and businesses. Nine case studies are provided and the report also summarises the changing nature of community funding.
  » Download the Porirua report

• The implications of a recession for the Māori economy.
  Te Puni Kōkiri presented a paper at the Māori Economic Summit providing a snapshot of, and highlighting the key risks to, the Māori economy in order to inform further work to mitigate these risks. The paper also outlines the key drivers for future change and how some Māori businesses may be placed to take advantage of these trends.
  » Download this document from the Te Puni Kōkiri website
• See practical resources OCVS has collated to help community organisations through the recession.
• Read notes from an Auckland community meeting held in August to discuss the impact of the recession on the community.

• Tim Burns of Volunteering NZ talked about the recession’s impact on volunteering and offered tips for museums that need volunteers in a recent newsletter from Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi.

• A Genuine Progress Indicator for the AucklandRegion Summary Report – published by the Auckland Regional Council.
  Like GDP or Gross Domestic Product, the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is a measure of economic progress.  The difference is that GPI also takes into account social and environmental costs as well as the benefits of growth.
  » Download the report online

• Measuring New Zealand’s Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008.
  This Statistics NZ report includes a section on social connection and governance. At an individual level, people’s connections to each other, their sense of belonging, and their ability to contribute to society affects their well-being. Across society, unity and harmony affect the ability to work together to achieve long-term goals and respond to changing conditions. Trust in society can be built up through networks, and threatened by crime, corruption, or discrimination. Civic participation, interest in national affairs, and people’s sense of connection with wider society indicate the extent to which people feel part of the democratic process and the extent of their trust in government institutions.
  » Read the social connection section or download the full report

• Report on the 2007/08 audits of the local government sector.
  The Department of Internal Affairs has released the 2007/2008 Local Authority Census data based on audits of the local government sector. The report notes that many local authorities failed to explicitly link any discussion of the effects of activities to community well-being. Some links could be inferred, but this depended on the quality of a local authority’s performance management framework, and in many cases these links were not clearly made.
  » The report is now available at www.localcouncils.govt.nz

• Information from 2009-2019 Long-term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) is now available online. 
  Profile pages are provided for each local authority area in New Zealand, detailing:
  - community outcomes identified in that area
  - links to published monitoring and progress reports
  - links to 2009-2019 LTCCPs and latest annual reports
  - links to further community information and statistics.
  » View your region’s information at www.communityoutcomes.govt.nz

• September issue of Policy Quarterly focuses on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 
  In 2000, at the dawn of this new millennium, 189 world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York and adopted the Millennium Declaration. The leaders resolved to: “spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty…”
  This issue of the Quarterly notes that while some significant advances have been made towards meeting the aspirations of the Millennium Summit, much work remains to be done, most notably in the part of the South Pacific that accounts for the bulk of the population – Melanesia. To compound problems, evidence suggests that the current global recession will exacerbate poverty and undermine social well-being over the next few years. In short, realising all the MDGs by 2015, certainly in this part of the world, is highly improbable.
  The issue also explores other topics, including how to translate ambitious government strategies into practical and effective policies, and recent trends in New Zealand government revenue and expenditure.
  » Download the Policy Quarterly from the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University
  » Learn more about the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

• Social Policy Journal – Issue 36, August 2009.
  There has been an explosion worldwide of research on the construction of identity, of which ethnicity is just one part. This issue of the Journal brings together recent thinking on the construction of ethnicity in a New Zealand context. It was informed by a literature review carried out in 2008 for Statistics NZ, which identified a range of work either underway or recently completed in New Zealand.
  » Download the current issue from the Ministry of Social Development website

• Video of Jim Olsen’s presentation on complex adaptive systems from June’s Good Practice in Action seminar.
  » Watch the presentation on GOVIS

• NgOIT - 2008 NGO-DHB Contracting Environment report – published by Platform.
  The third report in the NgOIT series from community mental health and addictions service sector network, Platform. This report provides a snapshot of the district health board contracting environment from the perspective of mental health and addiction community organisations. The report draws on survey information from 20 NGOs holding 87 contracts across the 21 DHBs - ranging from one NGO with one contract to one with 32. There are some shining examples of good practice, where relationships have been built on trust and a good understanding of the contribution NGOs make to a well-functioning, integrated mental health and addiction service system. These are the exception. For most NGOs surveyed, the contracting environment and their contracting relationship with DHBs present immense frustrations, and the practice described by respondents falls short of the Treasury Guidelines for the contracting relationship between the Crown and NGOs.
  » Download the NgOIT report from the Platform website
  » Read the Treasury Guidelines on the Good Practice Funding website

• Putting Partnering into Practice: Collaboration on Complex Issues – Healthy Homes.
  This report looks at themes, experiences and learning about interagency collaboration, based on the observations of people involved in 'healthy homes' initiatives in New Zealand.  Author Megan Courtney has produced this third partnering report focused on the experiences of multiple agencies working together. The report provides useful ideas for strengthening partnering practice.
  » Download this report from the Community Outcomes website
  » Read more about partnerships with community organisations on the Good Practice Participate website

• He Kohinga Whakaaro/Māori Social Surveydiscussion document.
  This paper outlines Statistics NZ’s proposal to develop a Māori Social Survey that focuses on addressing a number of key social and cultural information needs. These needs have been identified over the past six months as a result of a two-staged process. The paper identifies some high-level research questions that provide the draft rationale and focus for the proposed Māori Social Survey, which is intended to go into the field in May 2011.
  » Download the discussion document from the Stats NZ website

• Strategic Pay Not-for-Profit Sector Remuneration Survey 2009results.
  This year's survey was based on an analysis of 6,811 employees representing 225 organisations - an increase of 77 organisations and almost 2,600 participants over last year. The key finding of the survey is the size of the pay gap between the not-for-profit sector and the broader employment market. The survey also shows that 48.2% of sector staff work part-time.
  » Read more about the survey findings on CommunityNet

• Online discussion at TalkLaw.
  The Law Commission is using an online consultation site to encourage feedback about its current law reform projects. TalkLaw gives you the opportunity to have your say on different issues and influence recommendations for changes to the law. Privacy law was the first forum topic, and now discussion is open on liquor laws.  Public meetings are also underway.
  » Participate in the discussion forums
  » Download the alcohol discussion document at www.talklaw.co.nz

• Improving the Legal Aid System: A public discussion paper.
  The Minister of Justice released this paper on 1 September. Submissions are open until 9 October 2009.  Dame Margaret Bazley is expected to make her final report to the Hon. Simon Power in November. 
  By funding legal aid services, governments give effect to the principles of equality before the law and natural justice.The paper identifies the key challenge as “all parts of the system – community-based information advice services, the justice system, and legal aid for representation – are facing issues of increasing demand and increasing difficulties in securing the supply of services”. The paper asks a range of questions including: are we providing the right mix of services, can the right people access services and what are the unmet legal needs?
  It notes a strong base of community-based information and advice services, including Citizens Advice Bureaux and community law centres. Citizens Advice Bureaux are not a part of the legal aid system in terms of funding, although they have a clear focus on providing information, advice, advocacy and support to people on a range of problems, including legal problems.
  » See the paper online and comment before 9 October

• Skylight’s new What’s a Protection Order? booklet is for children age 7-12 years who have witnessed or experienced family violence. It gives them a clear understanding of the ‘what’ and the ‘why’, in simple, easy-to-understand language.
  » It is available for a small cost through Skylight’s website or by calling 0800 299 100

• Safekids NZ’s quarterly newsletter, Safekids Newsfocuses on issues and events on unintentional child injury prevention in New Zealand. The September edition encourages people to have their say on the use of booster seats for children and the Ministry of Transport's Safer Journeys discussion document.
  » Read the Safekids News e-newsletter
  » Download the Safer Journeys discussion document and have your say

• Digital Continuity Action Plan.
  Archives NZ will lead implementation of this plan to prevent important public records being lost, and ensure today’s information is available tomorrow. With most public information now created digitally, the plan comprises six goals and 15 action areas to help public sector agencies overcome issues with storing, accessing, using and reusing the digital information they produce. The plan aims to ensure that public sector resources are used more efficiently through collaboration – by sharing ideas, expertise and systems, and by minimising duplication.
  » Read the plan in a digital format on the Archives website

• A birds-eye view of the charitable sector – from the Charities Register.
  For the first time, the Charities Register has brought together up-to-date information about individual charities, which the Charities Commission has aggregated to compile a picture of the charitable sector and its work. Although the Commission has not yet received a full ‘cycle’ of Annual Returns; based on the returns received so far, the Commission is projecting the following facts about the charitable sector:
  - $17 billion tax-exempt income
  - $2.4 billion donations
  - $1.5 billion government grants
  - 130,000 full-time equivalent employees
  » View graphs showing the areas where charities operate, their activities, and their beneficiaries on the Commission’s website

• Discussion paper on Australian Compact now being consulted on.
  As part of its social inclusion agenda, the Australian Government is exploring ways to develop a new and stronger relationship with the non-profit sector, based on partnership and respect.  One way it is doing this is through a national compact - an agreement between the Australian Government and the non-profit sector, outlining how the two will work together to improve and strengthen their relationship, now and into the future. A national compact could also provide a framework for building sector capacity and a platform for discussion and agreement between the Australian Government and the sector about how to achieve objectives that will benefit the community. Consultation is currently underway in Australia seeking input on what people think the agreement should cover.
  » Download the discussion document or read background on the work

• Does Government Funding Suppress Nonprofits’ Political Activity? – published by the American Sociological Association in the American Sociological Review, Volume 69, Number 2, 1 April 2004 , pp. 292-316.
  Autonomy from the state has been considered a core feature of civil society, and understanding the consequences of perceived threats to that autonomy has been a central theme in social and political theory. This article examines a specific question: What is the effect of government funding on non-profit organisations' political activity?
  Research identifies some mechanisms by which government funding might reduce non-profit political activity and others that might enhance such activity. By investigating this relationship with two data sets (a national sample of religious congregations and a longitudinal sample of non-profit organisations in Minneapolis–St. Paul), the researchers find some consistent and compelling results: the relationship between government funding and non-profit political activity is either positive or nil; government funding does not suppress non-profit political activity.
  » The full article can be purchased online

• New guidance to help cut red tape – United Kingdom.
  Charities that receive public funding have to account to government funders for how they have spent this money and should show the impact they have achieved with it. The cost of producing this information, however, must be proportionate to the risks and benefits involved. Cutting unnecessary red tape can free up time and money better spent focusing on the key services charities and others provide. The term for achieving this balance and avoiding poor practice is ‘intelligent monitoring’.
  New intelligent monitoring guidance, published by the UK’s National Audit Office along with the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, will help the UKgovernment cut paperwork, while still enabling it to monitor the £12 billion it gives to charities and other voluntary and community organisations each year.  New principles for the monitoring of funding for the third sector have also been unveiled.
  » Download the guidelines and principles

September (in New Zealand)

Now – mid-Oct:    Web Stats! seminars – around New Zealand.
Free, informal 90-minute events to introduce Statistics NZ’s new website and what users can find on it.
» Visit the Stats NZ website to see dates and venues.

24 Sept:  Meaningful Measures to track Community Engagement – Auckland.
At this International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) workshop, participants tease out the engagement and participation results that really are worth measuring.
» Find out more on the IAP2 website

24-25 Sept:   3rd Carers NZ National Carers Conference: Tomorrow’s Care Today, Waipuna Events Centre, Auckland.
Carers NZ hosts this summit celebrating the milestones achieved for New Zealand’s carers over the past four years, and looking ahead to the future.
» Read about the event at www.carers.net.nz

25 Sept: Closing date for 2^nd round of applications for the Community Response Fund.
» See the Family and Community Services website for details

28 Sept:  Opening date for 3^rd round of applications for the Community Response Fund.
» See the Family and Community Services website for criteria and application details

29 Sept: Institute of Policy Studies/IPANZ Building the Public Sector for the 21st Century seminar series:
New Zealand public management: tensions of a model from the 1980s - Dr Richard Norman.
5:30pm-6:30pm. Lecture Theatre Two, Old Government Buildings, Bunny St, Wellington.
Dr Richard Norman, of Victoria University's Management School, has analysed New Zealand's public management in international journals through the book Obedient Servants?  He will examine competing values that lie behind tensions and challenges for a 21 year old management model. 
No RSVP is necessary.

29 Sept:    Authentic Leadership professional development workshop – Auckland.
A John Coxon workshop using the Open Space format – where participants decide the majority of the agenda. John Coxon specialises in workshops for the health and not-for-profit sectors.
» See more details and costs online

29-30 Sept:  Global March for Peace and Nonviolence is welcomed onto Kopinga Marae (Moriori marae) on Rekohu (Chatham Islands) for an opening blessing ceremony hosted by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust.  Moriori have maintained a Peace Covenant for over 500 years, rejecting war and violence even when the islands were attacked and occupied in the 19^th century. The global march will travel around the world promoting violence-prevention and peace initiatives and programmes.

30 Sept:  Legislation Advisory Committee seminar - Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament House, Wellington.
This full-day seminar entitled ‘From policy to legislation: developing legislation, and legislation within the parliamentary process’ will be hosted by the Hon. Christopher Finlayson, Attorney-General.  It is aimed at policy managers, analysts, advisers, chief legal officers, legal advisers, solicitors, and officials at all levels involved in the development of legislation.
Speakers include the Hon. Christopher Finlayson, Attorney-General; Charles Chauvel, Member of Parliament; Hon. Justice McGrath, Justice of the Supreme Court; Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Chair of the Legislation Advisory Committee; Professor John Burrows QC, Law Commissioner; George Tanner QC, Law Commissioner; David Noble, Chief Parliamentary Counsel; and Mary Harris, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
» Find out more or register on the Parliamentary Counsel Office website

30 Sept:   Authentic Leadership professional development workshop – Waikato.
A John Coxon workshop using the Open Space format – where participants decide the majority of the agenda. John Coxon specialises in workshops for the health and not-for-profit sectors.
 » See more details and costs online 

October (in New Zealand)

1 Oct:   Legal Seminars for Community Groups – Wellington Community Law Centre.
James King from the OCVS and Tina Reid from the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations kick off this Wellington Community Law Centre seminar series with a presentation on Keeping it Legal E Ai Ki Te Ture.  Four additional seminars on other legal topics will follow every Thursday during October.  Bookings are essential for these popular events.
» For an enrolment form, contact Alex on (04) 460 4466 or e-mail alex@wclc.org.nz
» Explore Keeping it Legal online and download relevant sections

1 Oct:   Community Central roadshow in the Hutt Valley.
Hosted by Hutt Council of Social Services.
10.30am - 12.30pm at Te Awakairangi, 47 Laings Rd. (opp New Dowse) Lower Hutt.
» Local contact: Lynne Hutt COSS - To let them know you're coming, email: coordinator@huttcoss.org.nz or ph 04 831 1015
» Find out more about Community Central

2 Oct:  Global March for Peace and Nonviolence leaves from Wellington to 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 or e-mail hinduconference@gmail.com

5 Oct:    Authentic Leadership professional development workshop – Taupo.
A John Coxon workshop using the Open Space format – where participants decide the majority of the agenda. John Coxon specialises in workshops for the health and not-for-profit sectors.
» See more details and costs online

5-9 Oct:   Fundraising 101 course – Fundraising Institute of NZ, Wellington.
For over 30 years the Fundraising School at Indiana University has worked to perfect Principles and Techniques of Fundraising as the ultimate fundraising course. They now work in conjunction with the Fundraising Institute of NZ to offer a five-day intensive course in NZ.
The 101 course enables attendees to respond to ethical dilemmas and challenges with professional skill, and learn to identify and validate prospective donors and manage the fundraising process. 101 provides the skills and confidence to plan a strategic fundraising programme, structure a successful solicitation and recognise how planned giving benefits your donors and your organisation. The course will be taught by Eva Aldrich (Associate Director of Public Service and The Fund Raising School at the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University).
» Find out more about the course, including how to enrol

5-11 Oct:  Mental Health Awareness Week.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is ‘Winning Ways to Wellbeing’, which encompasses five ways to wellbeing; connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.
» Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week 
» Visit www.webhealth.co.nz to connect with health and social services and relevant information and resources for people experiencing mental illness

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 get up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of ageing and have a say in how the future could be shaped.
» Find out more online

13 Oct:   Institute of Policy Studies/IPANZ Building the Public Sector for the 21st Century seminar series:
Public policy and public management challenges facing New Zealand - Grant Robertson MP.
5:30pm-6:30pm. Lecture Theatre One, Old Government Buildings, Bunny St, Wellington.
Grant Robertson is MP for Wellington Central.  He is Labour Spokesperson for State Services and Associate Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, and Arts, Culture and Heritage and is a member of the Government Administration select committee.  He worked at the United Nations in New York, as a New Zealand diplomat, representing New Zealand views on environment, economic development, population, overseas aid and South Pacific issues.  No RSVP is necessary.

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

14 Oct:   Policy governance workshop for funders and sector leaders – Christchurch.
This Talentfinders workshop is aimed at sectors that support and agencies that fund organisations. The interaction between funders, management and boards is often a complex one, but this workshop will help attendees lead sound governance arrangements.
» Find out more online

15 Oct:   Policy governance workshop for board members and CEOs – Christchurch.
This Talentfinders workshop will help directors, trustees and chief executives to govern with one voice, but deliberate with many.  It will show how the board creates the linkage between the organisation and community/owners, and help ensure valuable board time is spent on the most important things.
» Find out more online

19 Oct:   14^th Health and Disability NGO Forum - NGO Challenges for Changing Times – Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington.
There will be workshops and opportunities to network with others from NGOs around the country, as well as Ministry of Health staff.
» To register or for more information, go to www.ngo.health.govt.nz

20 Oct:    Policy governance workshop for board members and CEOs – Wellington.
This Talentfinders workshop will help directors, trustees and chief executives to govern with one voice, but deliberate with many.  It will show how the board creates the linkage between the organisation and community/owners, and help ensure valuable board time is spent on the most important things.
» Find out more online.

20 Oct: Institute of Policy Studies/IPANZ Building the Public Sector for the 21st Century seminar series:
Strengthening state sector performance: challenges and priorities - Iain Rennie.
5:00pm-6:00pm. Lecture Theatre One, Rutherford House, Bunny St, Wellington.
Iain Rennie has been the State Services Commissioner since July 2008.  During his career, he has worked in a variety of roles in the central agencies - Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Treasury and the State Services Commission. No RSVP is necessary.

21 Oct:   Policy governance workshop for funders and sector leaders – Wellington.
This Talentfinders workshop is aimed at sectors that support and agencies that fund organisations. The interaction between funders, management and boards is often a complex one, but this workshop will help attendees lead sound governance arrangements.
» Find out more online.

21-23 Oct:    Conservators of Cultural Materials Annual Conference – Auckland.
Funder considerations and dilemmas, collaboration and co-operation, facilitating relationships and making connections with the public are just some of the topics in this conference programme for people involved in preserving New Zealand’s heritage.
» Read more in the conference programme and find out how to register

22 Oct:   Authentic Leadership professional development workshop – Wellington.
A John Coxon workshop using the Open Space format – where participants decide the majority of the agenda. John Coxon specialises in workshops for the health and not-for-profit sectors.
» See more details and costs online

27 Oct:   Community Engagement - Understanding Public Participation workshop – Wellington.
Public participation is an increasingly important component of community relations. At the end of this session, attendees will understand when and where participation is most appropriate, how to plan for it effectively, what to expect and how it can add value to a public relations campaign.  The seminar will explore how much is too much say, can anyone ever have 'too much say', and what are you buying into when you promise communities they will be consulted?
Content will cover:  

• the role of participation in community relations
• deciding when and how to encourage participation
• understanding the spectrum
• how public participation fits within the public relations function
• designing a public participation plan
• how participation adds value
• the IAP2 certification programme.

» Find out more or register on the Public Relations Institute of NZ website.

28 Oct:   Institute of Policy Studies/IPANZ Building the Public Sector for the 21st Century seminar series:
Citizens, clients and co-production of public services - John Alford.
5:00pm-6:00pm. Room 501, Railway West Wing, Bunny St, Wellington.
John Alford is Professor of Public Sector Management at the Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne, and at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, where he directs the Executive Fellows Programme.  His most recent book is Engaging Public Sector Clients: From Service Delivery to Co-production. No RSVP is necessary.

28 Oct:  Funding Information Service AGM: New times require new approaches in funding.
» Contact Natasha McDougall Natasha@fis.org.nz Ph 04 471-8904 for more details

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.
» See further details on the VNZ website

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

29 Oct:    Authentic Leadership professional development workshop – Dunedin.
A John Coxon workshop using the Open Space format – where participants decide the majority of the agenda. John Coxon specialises in workshops for the health and not-for-profit sectors.
» See more details and costs online

30 Oct:   Deadline for submissions on the Electoral Finance Reform proposal document.
Electoral finance law is central to the integrity of New Zealand's democratic system. To have confidence in the outcome of Parliamentary elections, New Zealanders need to know that the electoral contest is conducted according to rules that are fair to everyone. It is also important that we are well placed when international watchdogs compare the integrity of our system against those of other nations. This document details the core elements of the Government's proposed improvements to electoral finance law.
» Download the proposal document from the Ministry of Justice website

November (in New Zealand)

2 Nov:   Institute of Policy Studies/IPANZ Building the Public Sector for the 21st Century seminar series:
Local governance - David Shand.
5.00-6.00pm. Room 501, Railway West Wing, Bunny St, Wellington.
David Shand is Chair of the Tertiary Education Commission and a director of Meridian Energy Ltd.  He chaired the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Rates and was a member of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.  No RSVP is necessary.

2 Nov:   Authentic Leadership professional development workshop – Christchurch.
A John Coxon workshop using the Open Space format – where participants decide the majority of the agenda. John Coxon specialises in workshops for the health and not-for-profit sectors.
» See more details and costs online

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

5 Nov:    Inaugural New and Emerging Community Researchers seminar – Wellington.
This Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre one-day gathering will be held in conjunction with the centre’s AGM. Designed to provide feedback, encouragement, networking and dissemination opportunities to students researching issues that increase knowledge of the sector in Aotearoa - the seminar will engage with the work of up to seven chosen scholarship recipients, who will make brief presentations on their research and receive feedback from other researchers and fellow students. Two guest speakers will provide further input to the day.
» Further details: Sally Fenwick Ridley sally@communitywaikato.org.nz or Margy-Jean Malcolm mmalcolm@unitec.ac.nz or Pania Coote pania.coote@sdhb.govt.nz  or Kataraina Pipi on kpipi@xtra.co.nz

6 Nov:  Deadline for notice of intention to contribute to special edition of Third Sector Review on Social Enterpriseand Social Innovation.
In recent years, notions of social and community enterprise, social entrepreneurship and social innovation have permeated debates about the best ways to create social value, and address complex societal needs amid changing policy approaches and ever-increasing challenges to third sector funding. Critics of the enthusiasm for these ‘new’ ideas question whether they are demonstrably more effective than other forms of civil society activities, and research on these emergent ideas and practices in Oceania has, to date, been limited.
Abstracts of up to 500 words are sought for critically informed articles on social and community enterprise, social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Conceptual and empirical contributions are encouraged, including case study research, comparative analyses, survey research, theoretical contributions and voices ‘from the field’  (reflective contributions from practitioners.)
Successful submissions will be advised by 11 December 2009 and full papers must be submitted for review by 1 March 2010.
» Submissions and queries can be directed to the edition editors: Associate Professor Jo Barraket jo.barraket@qut.edu.au and Dr Suzanne Grant slgrant@waikato.ac.nz

6 Nov: Deadline for nominations for Volunteering Canterbury’s Youth Volunteer Awards.
If you know a young person (under 21 years) who has made an extraordinary contribution to the Canterbury community, you can nominate them for a Youth Volunteer Award.  Volunteering Canterbury offers these awards to raise awareness about volunteering and to recognise the contributions made by local youth. 
» Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.volcan.org.nz

7 Nov:    Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009 - Rotorua Energy Events Centre.
Diwali/Deepawali (Festival of Lights) is a well-known Hindu festival celebrated by Indian communities all over the world.
» E-mail to rotorua.deepawali@gmail.com for more details

10 Nov:   Institute of Policy Studies/IPANZ Building the Public Sector for the 21st Century seminar series:
Reviewing the balance between public and private - Treasury speaker tbc.
5.00-6.00pm. Lecture Theatre One, Old Government Buildings, Bunny St, Wellington. No RSVP is necessary.

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

11-13 Nov:   20th AsiaPacific Social Work Conference - Sky City Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland.
The theme for this first joint Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and the Asia Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE) is ‘Many voices, many communities, social justice for all’. Hosted by the New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW).
» Read more about the Asia Pacific Social Work Conference
» Click here to here download the conference poster

12-13 Nov:    Engage Your Community: EYC 09 – Massey University, Wellington.
The first day will be the main conference with a variety of speakers on web-related matters relevant to the community, voluntary and non-profit sectors. The second will feature six half-day workshops, allowing participants the chance for hands-on and in-depth training. Mike Brown is managing the conference on behalf of Wellington ICT.
» Find out more about the conference online
» Phone Mike on (021) 87 94 97 or email mike@maupuia.com

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

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

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 adapted 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

30 Nov:   Charities Commission AGM – Wellington.
The theme for this year’s meeting and forum is ‘the qualities of an effective charity’.
» Invitations will be sent out at a later date.

December 2009 (in New Zealand)

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)

11-12 March 2010:   The National Not-for-Profit Sector Conference. The Way Forward: Inspiration + Skills. Managing and Governing in the Not-For-Profit Sector –Te Ara Whakamua: Te Hiringa Me Nga Pukenga.  Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland.
» Register and pay before 1 December to save on costs

24-25 March 2010:   The Official Statistics Forum 2010: Realising the value of official statistics - Te Papa, Wellington.
» Find out more on Statisphere

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

22 Oct:   International Association for Public Participation Australasia(IAP2) award winners announced.
» See the award categories on the IAP2 website

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.
» 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. It 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.

Reproduction: You are welcome to reprint, forward or publish stories from this e-newsletter to raise awareness of the topics covered. Acknowledgement of OCVS as the source would be appreciated. (Any queries to ocvs@msd.govt.nz)
[Issue 27 ends].