Issue 30 - 27 January 2010

Following November's national Community-Government Forum, Minister Turia has decided to establish a new Steering Group (comprising both government and community and voluntary sector members) to lead the development of a Relationship Agreement.  

The proposed Relationship Agreement will replace the 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship.

To be part of this Steering Group, the Minister needs people who are:

• leaders within their part of the sector
• well networked within the community and voluntary sector
• well respected amongst their peers
• able to present and communicate effectively
• able to provide a collaborative and participatory approach.

The OCVS is now receiving nominations of people from the community and voluntary sector who meet the criteria to sit within this group. The Terms of Reference for the Steering Group including composition of the group and a nomination form are now online.

A nomination form must be completed for ALL nominations. People may choose to self-nominate. Members will be selected on the basis of their skills, experience and networks, and to achieve a mix that as far as possible reflects the diversity of the sector.  Government members of the Steering Group will be selected through a separate process. The Minister will seek approval from Cabinet for the appointment of the Steering Group members.

Completed nomination forms should be emailed to ocvs@msd.govt.nz or posted to OCVS, PO Box 1556, Wellington 6140 by 10 February 2010.  (All nominations will be acknowledged, so if you don't get a reply within 48 hours, please phone 04 978 4185 to ensure we have your nomination.)

The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector will act as secretariat for this Steering Group.

If you have any questions about this nomination process or the development of the Relationship Agreement, please email ocvs@msd.govt.nz or phone Judith Le Harivel on  04 918 9579.

» Terms of Reference for the Steering Group and nomination form

» Community-government forum documents  - official programme, speeches, caucus discussion notes, participant lists and photos, and forum steering group members

» Participate in the online discussions about what should be in the Relationship Agreement

The full-day Good Practice in Action seminars are underway again in 2010, with events scheduled in Wellington (19 Feb) and Hamilton (22 Feb).

This year we are requiring government agencies to attend the GPIA seminars WITH a representative of their community organisation partner or key community sector stakeholder.  It's up to agencies to decide who this may be but, by attending together, we believe both partners will be able to apply the seminar insights to their ongoing relationships - to get even better results for communities. 

February's GPIA seminar topic is Contracts and partnering - whose goals count?, and will feature the following case studies:

• Interactionz, a Hamilton-based disability services provider and its Work and Income national contracts advisor will tell their story of a long-term funding relationship. One feature of this story is the provider's commitment to challenging its own purpose and outcomes, and the funder's acknowledgement of the provider as the ‘expert'
• He Oranga Pounamu, the Christchurch-based Ngai Tahu-mandated health services co-ordinator in the South Island and the Ministry of Health tell their contract story.

The case study presentations will be followed by facilitated workshops designed to help participants apply what they learn to their own situations.

If you are in a community organisation and wish to attend this seminar, please contact a government agency that you have a relationship with and ask if you can attend with them. The seminars will run from 9:30am-3:30pm and lunch will be provided.  There is no registration fee, but we ask that government agencies cover any travel and accommodation costs related to their community partner's attendance. Places are limited - so book soon.

» Book today via ocvs@msd.govt.nz: Government agencies - please enrol yourselves and community partners in February seminars

» See presentations from previous seminars - including powerpoints and video

During January, the print and electronic media highlighted the introduction of New Zealand's new payroll giving scheme.  Stories featured workplaces such as 2Degrees, payroll companies such as IMS, and some of the groups set to benefit from payroll giving; including the Hearing House, Plunket and World Vision.

Employees also benefit from payroll giving when their donations go directly from their pay to a chosen community organisation. Because payroll giving is administered through the PAYE tax system, employees receive immediate tax benefits from their donations each payday, without having to present donation receipts or wait to claim at the end of a tax year.

Research on giving indicates that approximately 794,000 people in employment are already committed givers (ie: making regular contributions of time or money to causes that are important to them).  By switching to payroll giving, many of these workers could potentially get back money they might not have bothered to claim from Inland Revenue in the past - effectively making donations more affordable, which may encourage some people to increase the amounts they give.

How workplaces choose to set up payroll giving is very flexible - it is entirely voluntary for both employers and staff - and employers can limit the scheme to a few community organisations if they choose to.  

Some workplaces plan to start with a short list of groups to support, so they can keep things simple for the initial introduction of payroll giving. The OCVS has heard of workplaces where staff have voted for which groups to support, and other situations where donors (who are employers) have decided to offer their staff the opportunity to give to that chosen group.  Other workplaces will be introducing payroll software that makes it easy for staff to change their own payroll donations - giving them the opportunity to donate to any one of the 18,000 plus donee organisations registered with Inland Revenue.

In November 2009, every employer received a letter and brochure explaining the basics about payroll giving. Employers with five or more staff also received a CD-Rom featuring the Payroll Giving Guide (IR617) from Inland Revenue and a selection of promotional posters. All this material is available on the Inland Revenue website and from the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector website.

» Find out more about payroll giving - and how you can be part of it

» See news stories about payroll giving

» Check the donee organisations list to see who you can potentially donate to

The OCVS work to improve government's funding and accountability arrangements with community and voluntary organisations took a step forward at the end of 2009, when tenders were called for a contractor to develop the draft text of a Code of Funding Practice.

Once the successful tenderer is confirmed, the initial phase of the Code project will involve:

• seeking input from members of the Funding and Accountability Interest Group established by the OCVS
• consideration of other similar codes available internationally
• seeking specific advice from a range of parties

The Code of Funding Practice aims to assist:

• government funders to implement official guidance from Treasury and Office of the Auditor-General, and to overcome identified issues
• community and voluntary sector organisations to manage their funding relationships with government agencies.

The Code will be written in plain language and made available online and possibly in hard copy.

While the Code is under development, the OCVS continues to maintain and update the Good Practice Funding website, which offers a host of guidance and case studies on funding issues.  In the past month, links to more than 75 New Zealand and international guidance documents and funding articles have been added to the "Related resources' sections of the Good Practice Funding website.

Recently-added titles include:

• Making Good Use of Resources
• We Actually Trust the Community
• Measuring Impact - Who Counts?
• What the Ombudsmen can Investigate
• Principles of Proportionate Monitoring and Reporting
• Three Year Funding: Guidance for UK Government Departments

While not all of these resources are new or Kiwi-focused, they still offer sound guidance on good funding processes between government and community sector organisations. 

Browse the relevant sections of the site or use the site's search engine (top right corner) to locate titles of interest.  Suggestions for new site content are always welcome - please e-mail ocvs@msd.govt.nz.

» Explore resources about funding relationships

» See resources on funding and capacity-building options

» View resources related to managing risk

» Read resources on monitoring and evaluation

» Contact Hugh Lawrence in the OCVS for more information about the Funding and Accountability project

As well as the activities covered above, the OCVS team is leading other work to support positive relationships between the government and community sectors.

During 2010, the OCVS team will progress actions endorsed in the August 2009 Cabinet paper and minute, including:

• working with government agencies and the community and voluntary sector to develop a set of Principles for Effective Engagement with citizens and communities, and a quick reference guide on organisational processes that can support implementation of the principles
• assessing how community relationships can be included in wider work around improving and measuring government performance (assisted by the State Services Commission and Te Puni Kokiri, and in consultation with the Treasury and Office of the Auditor-General)
• working with the Cabinet Office to clarify guidance in the CabGuide regarding consultation with community and voluntary organisations on policy proposals.

The team will continue to connect with the sector through a variety of networking events, including:

• James and Alasdair presenting at March's National Not-for-Profit Sector Conference in Auckland
• supporting a further series of Regional Funders Forums
• taking our Good Engagement seminars to several locations - starting with Christchurch on 31 March

We welcome invitations to present at or participate in community sector gatherings around the country (but we can't promise that we'll always be available).

Our website continues to offer a range of research, guidance material and information for community organisations and the government agencies that work with them.  This includes;

• Links to funding sources and tips for running community groups and working with volunteers
• Information about The Generosity Hub - a project encouraging all forms of giving
• Guidance for public servants  on working with community sector organisations and engaging with communities
• Guidance to help community organisations successfully emerge from the economic downturn, such as tips to improve productivity and ideas for working differently

» Read the 2009 Cabinet paper and minute: Government Commitment to Building Strong Community Relationships

» E-mail OCVS with invitations to present at sector events

» Explore the OCVS website - people who do, find useful information there

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 and events calendar.

Drawn in the Members' bill ballot last year, this Bill was introduced to Parliament on 19 November 2009. The Bill aims to provide increased transparency and public accountability for professional third party collectors who are in the business of collecting funds on behalf of registered charities.

The Bill would require those who fundraise for charities to make sure consumers know a portion of any donation will be held back to cover fees. If more than half of a donation is to be kept by the fundraiser, they will be compelled to tell the donor the amount. The Bill will not impose any new obligations on charities themselves, and any fundraising they carry out directly using their own employees or volunteers will not be affected.

The Bill passed its first reading in December and is now open for public submissions, which are due by 19 March 2010.  The Bill is available on the web or from Bennetts Government Bookshops.

People can make a submission online or provide two printed copies. Those wishing to include any information of a private or personal nature in a submission should first discuss this with the clerk of the committee, as submissions are usually released to the public by the committee. People who want to appear before the committee to speak to their submissions should state this clearly and provide a daytime telephone contact number.

» Read more and see the Bill on the Parliamentary website or the NZ Legislation website
» Make a submission online - ensure you have enabled pop-ups in your web browser, so you can submit online

» Further guidance on making a submission is at Making a Submission to a Parliamentary Select Committee

More than 400 people have already completed the Victoria University internet-based survey, but more responses are wanted before the closing date.

Senior lecturers Dr Karen Smith from Victoria's Management School and Carolyn Cordery from the School of Accounting and Commercial Law are using the survey to map the backgrounds, roles, challenges and training needs of managers of volunteers.

The survey results will help improve support for managers of volunteers and will be benchmarked against overseas data on volunteering. This research will provide an important information base for Volunteering NZ and the whole volunteering community as they consider how best to progress professional development of volunteer management within New Zealand.

Don't miss this opportunity to be included in the survey - especially if you are from Auckland, which is currently under-represented in the responses (it only takes about 15 minutes).

» Read the media release about the Victoria University survey of volunteer managers

» Participate in the VUW Volunteer Managers Survey - survey closes 15 February 2010

Volunteering NZ has announced that the theme of the forthcoming Volunteer Awareness Week 2010 (Sunday 20 - Saturday 26 June) will be ‘Volunteering across the generations'.

The theme will highlight the opportunities for volunteering across all generations, how different forms of volunteering appeal to particular generational groups, and different forms of intergenerational volunteering, such as family volunteering. Family volunteering is when all the members of a family (through all their different ages) are able to go together and serve their community.

Other forms of intergenerational volunteering that may be highlighted during the week are programmes such as the SuperGrans project, where experienced and knowledgeable older adults provide practical tuition in household management to younger people and families. Likewise, young people volunteering to help those who are older might also be featured, such as high school students becoming involved in aged care services or teaching senior citizens to text.

A key objective of the Awareness Week is to encourage more people to volunteer - "raising people, not money".

As the co-ordinating agency for the Week, Volunteering NZ will provide information and some resources to assist participation in the week. Volunteer Centres will play leading roles within their communities - arranging a variety of events and helping to publicise the activities of local agencies in their district. 

VNZ encourages all organisations that have volunteers involved in their programmes to start planning activities for the Week now.  Groups should identify opportunities to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers, demonstrate their work, and encourage people from all generations to join their services.

» Visit www.volunteeringnz.org.nz for updates on planning for VAW

For those wanting a new challenge in 2010, now is the time to enrol in Waikato's Post-Graduate Programme in Social Enterprise Studies. Classes for A semester start in March and B semester starts in July.

Courses incorporate interests in associated fields such as not-for-profit management, corporate social responsibility and third sector research. Assignments can be shaped to match your interests, whether they lie in community development, arts and culture, social justice, human rights, sport, health, education, environmental or religious organisations.

Programmes of study are offered at Post Grad Certificate and Diploma level, as well as Masters and PhD study for those ready for an even greater challenge.

The qualifications are taught online with web-based discussions as the main learning environment. Courses may be studied full-time or part-time, allowing existing work, family and/or community commitments to be honoured.

Questions about the programme and/or its content can be directed to Maria Humphries or Suzanne Grant. If you have enquiries about enrolling, contact Kimberly Barclay Kerr at kbarclay@waikato.ac.nz.

» See information about the Social Enterprise Studies programme online

» See scholarship information on the University of Waikato website

This year's Way Forward: Inspiration + Skills Conference, to be held over 11-12 March at the Waipuna Conference Centre in Auckland, will be a major event for the sector with leading international speakers Hildy Gottlieb and Margaret Wheatley presenting.

This conference will focus on providing practical management/leadership skills and learnings that can be applied in your own organisation, along with sound thinking about the techniques required to run a sustainable not-for-profit as resources get tighter, while demand for services increase. 

A mix of exciting keynote presentations and workshops will ensure that you can ask the tough questions and also absorb some of the collective wisdom of many of New Zealand's leading not-for-profit practitioners who will be presenting and attending.

» Find out more about this conference and secure your place at www.nfpconference.co.nz, or contact Shaun Lines on 06 878 3456 / 021 751 932. 

• NZIER Insight Issue  9: Something for Nothing
  ThisDecember issue of Insightfrom the NZ Institute of Economic Research looks atwhat motivates people to volunteer their time, and how understanding those motivations can help organisations to make the most of their volunteer resource. The report includes a table explaining three broad motivations for volunteering - consumption, investment and altruism.
• NZCCSS Vulnerability Report - Issue 3, Dec 2009
  This issue focuses on data from government and community-based organisations for the third quarter of 2009. For agencies that contributed information, demand for services has stayed either stable (at peak levels) or continued to increase. Only a few were able to report a slight easing off in the numbers of people approaching them.
• A Focus on Victims of Crime: A Review of Victims Rights discussion document
  The Ministry of Justice has released this document to seek public submissions on preliminary proposals that aim to improve government agencies' responses to victims of crime and to enhance victims' rights and role in criminal justice processes. Public feedback on the proposals will help shape the final proposals for Government consideration. Many of the preliminary proposals have significant financial and resource implications, and such costs may influence whether or not a proposal will proceed in the current economic and fiscal climate. If the Government decides to make changes to the law, the public will have a further opportunity to make submissions to a Parliamentary Select Committee, which must consider any changes before legislation is passed. The closing date for current submissions is 31 March 2010.
• Skills for the Future of Social Wellbeing 2020
  Whanau ora, family-centred and community building approaches are the focus of a workforce development planning project for social services in 2020. Sector leaders have joined the Social Services Industry Training Organisation in initiating this project, which has a discussion paper due for distribution in April 2010. Social services are moving towards integrated and holistic ways of working, so wider involvement in the project will be encouraged - including with the health and disability sectors.
• NZ Disability Support Network website now live
  The website of the New Zealand Disability Support Network explains more about this new association of disability support services providers. The network was established, after extensive discussion and consultation, to provide a clear voice to government and stay proactive on the issues and challenges ahead of the disability sector. The network will be officially launched in March - in the meantime, the website provides background information on the network.
• New Zealand Disability Strategy Progress Report 2009
  The annual report from the Minister for Disability Issues to the House of Representatives on implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy has been presented in Parliament and is now available on the Office for Disability Issues website.
• Charities tighten belts - recession hits not-for-profits - Dominion Post, Stuff
  This newspaper article from 20 January 2010, is based on findings from the biennial Grant Thornton survey and includes comment about mergers and duplication from Barnardos chief executive, Murray Edridge.
• Media spotlight on Kiwi donations to help Haiti
  • New Zealanders give generously to Haiti - TVNZ, 20 Jan 2010
  • Kiwi donations to Haiti double after images shown - Stuff, 19 Jan 2010
  • Generous Bay residents praised for quake cash - Bay of Plenty Times, 19 Jan 2010
  • Over one hundred million US dollars required to assist in Haiti - Voxy, 18 Jan 2010
  • Rotarians pitching in to relieve Haitian earthquake misery - Otago Daily Times, 18 Jan 2010
  • NZers have empathy living in quake zone - NZ City, 17 Jan 2010
  • Kiwis ‘generous' for Haiti victims - Stuff, 16 Jan 2010
  • Editorial: Kiwis should give Haitians as much money as they can - Dominion Post, 15 Jan 2010
  • Kiwis dig deep for Haiti victims - TVNZ, 15 Jan 2010
  • Support flooding in for Emily - Stuff, 15 Jan 2010
  • Govt to give $1m in aid for Haiti - National Business Review/NZPA, 14 Jan 2010
• Speak now, not-for-profits, or forever hold your peace - NZ Herald, 13 Jan 2010
  In the second for a three-part series, Mark Hucklesby looks at Government moves to reduce the cost and complexity of preparing and filing financial statements - the review of the Financial Reporting Act 1993. (Public submissions due 29 January 2010.)
• Collaboration case studies on Community Outcomes website
  The case studies highlight lessons learned from initiatives where collaboration between communities, Maori, and local and central government has been a key success factor.
• Visit www.newzealand.govt.nz to search across all government websites, see the government newsfeed or see some current consultations underway.
• COGS Profile 2008-09
  This profile of the Community Organisations Grant Scheme was released in December. It sets out COGS achievements over the year and outlines plans for the future. There are 37 Local Distribution Committee (LDC) throughout New Zealand. They are made up of volunteers who consider and make decisions about funding applications from organisations within their local communities. LDC members are nominated and elected by registered community organisations.
• TV coverage around International Volunteer Day
  • TVNZ's Close Up profiled 14-year-old, volunteer coach Max Stromer from Auckland in late November and then had Max and his Special Olympics swim team in the studio a couple of weeks later.
  • TVNZ's Close Up host, Mark Sainsbury featured in a story about volunteering at Wellington Hospital.
  • TV3 News item: Selfless people recognised on Volunteer Day
• Immigration NZ website clarifies rules around visitors who volunteer
  The Immigration NZ website now offers clearer guidance for holders of visitor permits who want to volunteer while in New Zealand.
  The website states:
  "You may carry out volunteer work while on a visitor permit. Volunteer work is work that is not carried out for gain or reward. Gain or reward can be defined as 'in-kind' benefits such as board or lodging or meals, clothing or transport. Volunteers generally work for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Non-paid on-the-job training before commencement of paid employment is not generally regarded to be volunteer work. Non-paid work experience for commercial organisations is also not generally regarded to be volunteer work. Please note that WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms in New Zealand) is considered to be paid work as WWOOFers receive food and accommodation. Visitor permit holders must not work as WWOOFers."
  The change to the website follows discussions by Volunteering NZ with the Immigration service.  
• Ethical Foundations of Public Policy conference papers
  Papers and presentations from this December conference, held at the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University, are now online. The conference explored:
  - the ethical constraints on those involved in different aspects of the policy process
  - how ethical considerations should be incorporated into policy advice and decisions
  - the decision rules to apply when confronted with policy trade-offs and conflicting ethical imperatives
  - our obligations to people in other countries and to future generations
  - how to measure societal progress
  - the nature of the good society.
• Escaping the Debt Trap: Experiences of NZ Families Accessing Budgeting Services
  The Families Commission released a study in December confirming that budgeting services are effective in helping people overcome problem debt. NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services chief executive Raewyn Fox said the study was great news, but most budgeting services were under-resourced and needed more personnel to cope with demand.
  » A recruitment campaign is underway for more volunteer advisors - with training beginning in Feb/March
• Rain, Hail or Shine - Experiencing change, loss and grief in a carer's world
  Bulk supplies of this book are available on a firstcome, first served basis to national and regional NGOs.Produced by Skylight, the book is aimed specifically at carers - focusing on the changes, loss and grief they often experience.The books are freely available from Carers NZ (courtesy of ACC), but ordering organisations will need to cover postage/courier costs.
  » For further information, email sara@carers.net.nz or phone 09 406 0412

• Focus on Citizens: Public Engagement for Better Policy and Services
  Complex policy issues cannot be solved by government alone. People have a major role to play in achieving shared public policy goals and ensuring high-quality public servicesare delivered economically. This 2009 book explores how OECD governments are putting the principles of open and inclusive policy making into practice, and how they can ensure broader, more inclusive, participation. The content is based on a survey of governments in 25 countries, 14 in-depth country case studies and 18 opinion pieces from leading civil society and government practitioners. It includes 10 guiding principles to support open and inclusive policy making and service delivery in practice.
• The Open Government Directive - USA
  In December, the White House's Office of Management and Budget sent a directive to the head of every federal department and agency instructing them to take specific actions to open their operations to the public.
  The three principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration are at the heart of this directive.
  - Transparency promotes accountability.
  - Participation allows members of the public to contribute ideas and expertise to government initiatives.
  - Collaboration improves the effectiveness of government by encouraging partnerships and co-operation.
  The directive includes deadlines for action (some within 45 days!), and is part of the US Open Government Initiative, which started as a result of President Obama's Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government, issued on his first day in office on 21 January 2009.
  Actions in the Directive include:
  - within 120 days, each agency must develop and publish an Open Government Plan describing how it will improve transparency and integrate public participation and collaboration into its activities
  - within 45 days, each agency must identify and publish online in an open form, at least three high-value data sets not previously available online or in a downloadable format.
  » Open a PDF of the Open Government Directive
  » Read more about the Open Government Initiative and the Office of Public Engagement
• England publishes slimmed-down Compact
  The refreshedEnglish Compact (released on 16 Dec) is slashed from 160 pages to 22 and sets out how public and third sector organisations should treat each other. Five old codes of practice have been removed and the agreement hasbeen broken down into three areas covering policy development, resource allocation and equality. A new section on 'advancing equality' has commitments to fair and equal access to funding. This was added because Voice4Change England raised concerns during the consultation process that losing the BME code would have a negative effect on third sector organisations working with minority groups.
  The new Compact places a greater emphasis on government and public bodies explaining and justifying the decisions they make.
  It reaffirms the independence of third sector organisationsand their right to campaign and comment on government policy.
  The new agreement sets a clear agenda for future partnership, stating:
  • any organisation subcontracting public service delivery contracts to third sector groups should abide by the Compact's principles
  • public bodies should make payments to third sector organisations within 10 days of an invoice being received
  • Compact principles should apply to the distribution of EU funding
  • third sector organisations should be actively involved in policy development, rather than just consultation exercises.

» Download the new 22-page English Compact published by the Commission for the Compact
» Read An Introduction to the Compact, aimed at people unfamiliar with the agreement
» Read brief background about the Compact on NZ's Good Practice Participate website

• Putting the Frontline First Action Plan - Britain
  Late last year, British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown released this plan to deliver better public services for lower cost. The plan has three central actions:
  - to drive up standards by strengthening the role of citizens and civic society
  - to free up public services by recasting the relationships between the centre and the frontline
  - to streamline the centre of government, saving money through sharper delivery.
  Initiatives include a new Civic Health Index to map civic health in every community, the transfer of more public assets to the third sector, plans for a social investment wholesale bank, and piloting Social Impact Bonds.
• Twitter: A Quick Start Guide for People in and Around Government
  This UK guide is written by Dave Biigss, whose work at Learning Pool involves talking to people about how they can use social technology to improve the way they work. This can include how they consult with citizens and how they manage knowledge within their organisation. The guide covers all the basics, including tips for ‘tweeting as an organisation'.
• Template Twitter Strategy for Government Departments
  Also from the UK, this document by Neil Williams describes how and why a government agency might choose to use Twitter to communicate with its various audiences.
• Guardian newspaper reports that millions of Britons are unable to cope with modern life
  A major UK study has found that millions of people are unhappy, lonely and unable to cope with profound changes in the workplace, relationships and family life. The report looks at why some people can cope with shocks and setbacks and others can't; and at the implications for policy, philanthropy and public actions. The report portrays Britain as a psychologically fragile society in which increased wealth has been accompanied by soaring levels of individual isolation and stress. Sinking and Swimming: Understanding Britain's Unmet Needs is the culmination of a series of studies undertaken by the Young Foundation between 2007 and 2009 for the Mapping Needs projects.
  » Download a summary or the full report online: Sinking and Swimming: Understanding Britain's Unmet Needs
• Workplace and corporate giving 'hit by volunteering' - UK news story
  Levels of corporate and workplace giving have been badly hit by an increase in the number of businesses replacing charitable donations with employee volunteering, UK charities have claimed.
• Standards for Charity Accountability - USA
  The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance produced these standards to assist donors in making sound giving decisions and to foster public confidence in charitable organisations. The standards encourage fair and honest solicitation practices, promote ethical conduct by charitable organisations, and advance support of philanthropy. The 20 standards cover four key areas: governance and oversight, measuring effectiveness, finances, and fundraising and information materials.
• Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
  This brief overview explores how grantmakers are looking at evaluation as a means of improvement. Published by Grantmakers for Effective Organisations (GEO) and the Council on Foundations, USA, 2009.

Check the Events page on our website for items of interest to the community and voluntary sector and the government agencies that work with them.

Forthcoming highlights include:

• the New Zealander of the Year Awards in Auckland (5 Feb)
• the Community Economic Development Conference in Auckland (9-11 Feb)
• The National Not-for-Profit Sector Conference in Auckland (11-12 March)
• E-engage your community conference - Christchurch (16 April)

....and much more.

» View the full events calendar online

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

The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector raises the profile of the community and voluntary sector within government to encourage co-operation and effective working relationships. You can find out more about the OCVS here 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 30 ends].

» Now that you’ve read this e-news, you may want to read some of the back issues.