Issue 34 - 24 June 2010

The theme of this week's Volunteer Awareness Week (20-26 June) is ‘volunteering across the generations'. A key objective of the week is to encourage more people to volunteer, so new quarterly data collected through Nielsen Media Research's Panorama survey showing that different generations are drawn to volunteer in different areas, may prove useful to community groups.

The survey results for the December 2009 quarter show that:

• people aged 10-19 years were most likely to volunteer for environmental causes
• for people aged 20-29 years, preschool is the most likely area for them to volunteer in
• people aged 30-49 years were most likely to volunteer in primary and secondary education
• sports volunteers were most likely to be aged 40-49 years, and sports clubs were the most likely type of community organisation that men volunteer for
• people aged 60 years and older were most likely to volunteer in social and health services.

These results are drawn from preliminary analysis of the December quarter survey results. Trend data on the giving of time and money will become increasingly available on the OCVS website over the coming months. This follows significant community sector interest in the 2007 and 2008 How Do New Zealanders Give? annual research reports. The future online publication of timelier quarterly data, collected through Nielsen Media Research's Panorama survey, will help inform the work of the Generosity Hub and a range of other community organisations attempting to better understand New Zealanders giving activity.

» Read previous annual How Do NZers Give? reports from 2007 and 2008

» Read about the work of the Generosity Hub

Keeping It Legal E Ai Ki Te Ture provides community organisations, groups, trusts and societies with simple, accurate information about their legal obligations. It was originally produced in print in December 2005 and revised in June 2006, with 10,000 copies distributed in total. Since then, the resource has been updated online as laws change, and new users can access the full resource at keepingitlegal.net.nz.  The online version also enables users to create a customised action plan for their organisation.

If you have a copy of the former printed resource kit, you should check it against the online version periodically to ensure you are using the most up-to-date guidance.  The list below shows when each fact sheet was last updated.  If you want to maintain your hard copy and find a newer version online, print out the relevant PDF to replace your older printed fact sheet.

• Fact sheet 1: Getting started - April 2007
• Fact sheet 2: Unincorporated groups - October 2007
• Fact sheet 3: Incorporated societies - October 2007
• Fact sheet 4: Trusts and charitable trust boards - June 2009
• Fact sheet 5: Relationships between national, branch and local offices - October 2007
• Fact sheet 6: Companies and other legal forms - April 2007
• Fact sheet 7: Charities Commission - June 2009
• Fact sheet 8: Taxation - January 2010
• Fact sheet 9: People: Volunteers, employees and contractors - January 2010
• Fact sheet 10: Health and safety - June 2009
• Fact sheet 11: Human rights and discrimination - June 2006
• Fact sheet 12: Privacy - June 2009
• Fact sheet 13: Premises and environment - June 2009
• Fact sheet 14: Trading and other activities - June 2009
• Fact sheet 15: Intellectual property - June 2009
• Fact sheet 16: Torts (civil wrongs) and criminal offences - June 2006
• Fact sheet 17: Insurance as a risk-management tool - June 2006
• Fact sheet 18: Contracts - June 2006

The most recently updated fact sheets are numbers 8 and 9 about tax and people, which were revised in January this year.

If you don't already have a printed copy, you can use the entire resource online, create your own action plan and print out any information you wish to refer to offline.

» Visit www.keepingitlegal.net.nz 

If you have news or major activities related to community and voluntary sector issues, you are welcome to send a brief description to us at ocvs@msd.govt.nz for inclusion in our email updates.

Inland Revenue is consulting about proposed changes to simplify the tax system and make it easier for people to manage their tax affairs. The department's proposals include reducing paper use and increasing taxpayers' use of online services, so in keeping with its vision of a digital future, Inland Revenue is using online consultation as a key method of seeking feedback at www.ird.govt.nz/makingtaxeasier.

The comprehensive online consultation forum targets specific issues at different audiences, including non-profits, and enables people to ‘drill down' for more detail, depending on their interest and passion for a particular topic. The site includes video explanations of issues and discussion forums, where those wishing to submit a comment can register on the site or login using their Facebook profile.

The online consultation forum is being run on behalf of the Government by the Policy Advice Division of Inland Revenue. Comments made, and votes recorded in the online consultation forum will be used to develop ideas about how to achieve the Government's economic vision for New Zealand, deliver better services to taxpayers and greater value from the public service.

If there is support for the proposals set out on the site, legislative change will be required to provide more flexibility around the PAYE rules, to allow Inland Revenue to share information more widely, to make PAYE a final tax for some, and to provide Inland Revenue the ability to mandate electronic filing by employers. The consultation runs until 23 July 2010.

» Participate in the online consultation about making tax easier

» Read the consultation announcement from the Ministers of Finance and Revenue

» Learn more about consulting online and see various New Zealand case studies

» Publicise your agency's consultations at newzealand.govt.nz

The Whānau Ora Governance Group is calling two waves of Expressions of Interest (EOI) from eligible providers or provider collectives seeking to develop comprehensive whānau-centred services.

"The first wave of providers must be able to demonstrate strong organisational capability and capacity. They must currently provide whānau-centred services and have an immediate readiness to participate in Whānau Ora," Governance Group chair Rob Cooper said.

"The second wave will allow providers and/or provider collectives additional time to build connections with other providers in their regions to develop an EOI."

The first wave EOI closes at 2pm on 7 July 2010 with final decisions known by 2 August 2010. The second wave EOI closes at 2pm on 2 August 2010 with final decisions known by 30 September 2010. Up to 20 providers or provider collectives are expected to be engaged in this round of Whanau Ora centred service provision from October 2010.

Mr Cooper said Regional Leadership Groups would ensure that decisions about Whānau Ora occurred as close as possible to local communities.

"A regional leadership approach capitalises on the vast experience and capacity that exists within whānau and communities. It recognises that meeting whānau needs through whānau-centred service delivery is best led by those who live, experience and participate in this practice daily."

The Regional Leadership Groups will comprise between three to seven community representatives appointed by the Minister Responsible for Whānau Ora, Hon Tariana Turia; and three officials from Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Social Development and District Health Boards.

They will be established across ten regions based on the current Te Puni Kōkiri boundaries including: Te Taitokerau, Tamaki Makaurau, Waikato, Te Moana A Toi, Te Arawa, Te Tairāwhiti, Takitimu, Te Tai Hauāuru, Te Whanganui A Tara, and Te Waipounamu.

» Find out how to make an Expression of Interest

» Read Minister Turia's 21 June speech on Whānau Ora transformation

» Read more about Whānau Ora

A new website to help people connect with agencies that could help them with disputes or investigate their complaints was launched in March by the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Hon Heather Roy.

This innovative public/private sector initiative saw the Dispute Investigations Group co-operate to set up a convenient website where people who have concerns with business or government can easily locate the right assistance to help look into their problem.

For example, if you have problems accessing official information, Complaintline will direct you to the Office of the Ombudsmen's website.  Similarly, if need help understanding your rights or resolving a concern involving a government agency, you would be directed to the Ombudsmen.

The Ombudsmen have been members of the Dispute Investigations Group since 2005. 

Other members include:

• Advertising Standards Authority
• Banking Ombudsman
• Broadcasting Standards Authority
• Charities Commission
• Commerce Commission
• Consumer Affairs
• Consumer NZ
• Domain Name Commission
• Electricity & Gas Complaints Commission
• Health & Disability Commissioner
• Human Rights Commission
• Independent Police Conduct Authority
• Insurance & Savings Ombudsman
• Press Council
• Privacy Commissioner
• Quality Commission Scheme
• Telecommunication Dispute Resolution.

» Visit www.complaintline.org.nz

» Read the Minister's speech at the launch of Complaintline

During Volunteer Awareness Week (20-26 June) many communities and organisations take the opportunity to formally acknowledge the huge contribution that volunteers make to our nation.

One way of doing this is through the Nestlé Reward a Community Volunteer competition, which is now in its sixth year. If you know someone who is doing great work in the community, you can nominate them to win a hamper of Nestlé product. There are 10 hampers to be given away, each worth more than $150.  EVERY person nominated in the competition receives a Nestlé gift - a voucher for a box of Nestlé Scorched Almonds and a letter advising them they have been nominated and by whom, so everyone who is nominated is rewarded. New World is also giving away $50,000 worth of $25 gift cards to deserving volunteers over the winter netball season.

Television NZ has also been recognising community heroes for over a year with its weekly Good Sorts profiles featuring everyday New Zealanders doing great things in our communities. The new Volunteer Power! series screening on TVNZ6 also salutes the people who make this country run - New Zealand's volunteers. Building on the success of the TrustPower National Community Awards, Volunteer Power! takes viewers to 25 districts around the country, looking at marvellous ways in which communities get things done. As well as celebrating some amazing people, Volunteer Power shows the outstanding projects they've undertaken, and the enormous role they play in the communities of Aotearoa.

Recognition of community service is also a major feature of New Zealand's Official Royal Honours System.  The citations of around 75 of the 193 people recognised in the New Year Honours 2010 were for "services to the community", as were about 65 of the 173 honours bestowed in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours 2010.  Even more of the honours (for contributions to various sports, theatre and the arts) also include individuals who give their time and expertise freely.  Anyone can nominate a person who they think is worthy of a New Zealand Royal Honour.  The nominator needs to complete a nomination form and forward it to the Prime Minister.  The next official honours will be awarded at New Year and nominations are due by 1 August.

These are just a few of the ways that New Zealand recognises the many community contributions that Kiwis make every day.

» See more about the range of ways New Zealand recognises volunteers

» Nominate a volunteer in the Nestlé competition before 28 June

» See more about New World's gift cards for netball volunteers or pick up a nomination form

» Suggest someone who could be profiled on TVNZ's Good Sorts

» Nominate someone from your community for an official New Year Honour - deadline 1 August

» Watch Volunteer Power! online

» Read Minister Turia's speech from the 2010 National Intrepid Volunteer Awards ceremony

» Find out more about Volunteer Awareness Week 2010 activities around New Zealand

Prime Minister John Key launched the Rugby World Cup volunteer recruitment programme earlier this month - when it was announced that former All Black, Michael Jones has agreed to be New Zealand's Rugby World Cup Volunteer Ambassador.

Volunteers are an important part of any sporting event, and more than 5,000 volunteers will be needed to help out with the Rugby World Cup next year.

Between 14 June and 14 July 2010, the Rugby World Cup team is on a nationwide volunteer recruitment road show to encourage New Zealanders to sign up to work in a variety of roles - both within stadia and outside in towns and cities across New Zealand.

All New Zealanders can help make the Rugby World Cup a success by being excellent hosts, but volunteering is one way to get more involved in the biggest and most exciting sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted.

» Read the Rugby World Cup Minister's volunteer recruitment programme announcement

» See the dates for the current Rugby World Cup volunteer recruitment roadshow

» Read more about the Rugby World Cup volunteer recruitment programme

» See the list of Rugby World Cup volunteer positions

» Register online to be a Rugby World Cup volunteer - after 14 July

VolunteerNet is a new website (www.volunteernet.org.nz) to help connect volunteers with event-based volunteering opportunities, while at the same time providing a free online volunteer recruitment and management tool for event organisers. VolunteerNet has been developed by New Zealand Major Events, which is part of the Ministry of Economic Development.

VolunteerNet's objectives are to:

• enhance the volunteer recruitment and management process for event organisers
• increase the network of skilled volunteers available to the events sector
• make event-related volunteering opportunities more accessible to all New Zealanders
• proactively connect volunteers with opportunities that match their skills and experience
• help promote volunteering in New Zealand in general.

VolunteerNet aims to increase capacity of the events sector by providing easy access to a growing pool of volunteers with a wide range of skills and experience and through the provision of an online volunteer recruitment and management tool.

VolunteerNet is not just about sport - it caters for a wide range of events, including local community events, festivals, fundraising drives and special interest events such as environmental, educational and faith oriented events.

» VolunteerNet will go live soon, so watch this space: www.volunteernet.org.nz

This question is one that is occasionally directed to us here at the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, and unfortunately there is no simple answer because there are so many different ways that community organisations can come into being.

According to Statistics NZ's Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account, there are approximately 97,000 NGOs (non-government organisations) in New Zealand, but there is no single master list of these. 

There are several potential public sources of information available, and choosing the most useful one will depend on your specific requirements, such as whether you want to search within a specific region, compile a mailing list, or identify certain types of organisations.

• The Family Services Directory lists over 5,500 community-based organisations and services by region. Users can browse organisation names or search by service type.
• The CommunityNet Aotearoa website lists many community organisations by region.
• Your local Citizens Advice Bureaux website has a list of local community organisations.
• Societies Trusts Online provides information on incorporated societies.
• The Charities Register on the Charities Commission website has details on approximately 25,000 registered charities around the country.
• The Inland Revenue website lists approximately 20,000 donee organisations.
• www.webhealth.co.nz is an online health and social services directory, which allows you to print off your own list of organisations. There are currently over 160 new migrant services, over 200 Asian services, over 300 Pacific peoples services and more than 480 Kaupapa Māori services registered on Webhealth, as well as thousands of mainstream health and social services.

A relatively new online source of information listing descriptions and contact information for numerous government and non-profit organisations has been compiled by the NZ Communities Web Enhancement Trust (CWET). This registered charity provides one place for public data to be stored and shared by all, using a centralised database of non-sensitive New Zealand service data stored in a safe, reliable repository. The data is currently presented to the public through www.2cu.co.nz/, which provides a simple method for searching, modifying or updating.

CWET welcomes collaboration with others, so a range of websites could automatically receive up-to-date data and then present it the way they want. Such collaboration offers potential opportunities for savings and productivity gains by avoiding the need for numerous government and private services to store and duplicate service data in multiple silos.  You can contact CWET at phone 09 4382188, fax 09 4387866, e-mail: bruce@cwet.org.nz or click on the feedback button on the www.2cu.co.nz website.

The Australasian branch of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) will present its Core Value Awards 2010 in September this year.

IAP2 Australasia's premier awards recognise projects that are at the forefront of public participation. The awards were created to encourage excellence, quality and innovation in public participation - recognising projects that embed the IAP2 core values and demonstrate leading practice.

The IAP2 core values for the practice of public participation are:

1. Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.

2. Public participation includes the promise that the public's contribution will influence the decision.

3. Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognising and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.

4. Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.

5. Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.

6. Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.

7. Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.

There are five award categories designed to cover a broad range of public participation practices.

• Award for Public Participation Enhanced Decision-making

• Award for Robust Public Participation Process
• Award for Best Public Participation Policy Framework
• Award for Public Participation Innovation
• Award for Decision Makers

A learning scholarship will also be awarded by the judges to the project they consider demonstrates a significant contribution to furthering the practice of public participation. The $3,000 prize can be used for study or research into public participation.

» Read more about the awards

» Download an application form at www.iap2.org.au - entries are due by 20 July 2010

» See New Zealand guidance on public participation

• Government agency Statements of Intent
  A range of government agencies have published new Statements of Intent in recent months, so visit the websites of relevant agencies to see copies you're interested in and learn about their strategic focus and priorities for the next few years. Some recent publications include:
  • State Services Commission Statement of Intent 2010-2015
  • Ministry of Health Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Ministry of Social Development Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Families Commission Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Ministry of Women's Affairs Statement of Intent 2010-1013
  • Ministry for the Environment Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Department of Conservation Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Department of Internal Affairs Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Charities Commission Statement of Intent 2010-2013
  • Creative NZ Arts Council of NZ Statement of Intent 2010-2013
• Managers Matter: Who manages New Zealand's volunteers?
  The results of Volunteering NZ and Victoria University research about the roles and needs of those who manage volunteers were released on 23 June as part of Volunteer Awareness Week.
  » Read the media release announcing the research findings
  » Read Minister Turia's speech from the launch
  » Download the summary report from Volunteering NZ
  » Download the full report from the Victoria University website
• New ‘setting up a charity' and ‘strengthening your charity' sections added to the new-look Charities Commission website.
  These new sections feature links to many useful how-guides and resources.
• Payroll giving media coverage
  See news stories, articles and public speeches about payroll giving - including some preliminary figures on uptake.
• Welfare Working Group forum papers
  See the range of papers and presentations exploring different approaches and issues related to the provision of social assistance, which were presented at the recent public forum in Wellington on 9-10 June. The Welfare Working Group was established by Cabinet to undertake an expansive and fundamental review of New Zealand's welfare system. The Group's primary task is to identify how to reduce long-term welfare dependency.
  » Listen to a National Radio interview with three of the forum speakers
• Read the Minister for Social Development and Employment's post-Budget 2010 speech announcing the Community Response Model, which brings community and Government together to transform the delivery of family and community services.
• Ministerial media release: Community Max programme expanded
  Social Development Minister Paula Bennett joined Associate Minister Tariana Turia in announcing the expansion of Community Max to four targeted areas - investing $17.4 million in Community Max programmes for Northland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and the East Coast to address high unemployment in those areas....
• Policy Quarterly, Volume 6, Number 2
  The latest issue of this publication from the Institute of Policy Studies provides a range of responses to the Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce's recommendations. Many of the papers are critical of the core proposals advanced by the Taskforce - raising concerns about the suggested principles of responsible regulation, the risk of conflict and overlaps with existing statutes, and the costs of adding more procedural layers to the legislative process.
• FutureGov online
  The FutureGov website features many articles and a regular newsletter exploring Asia Pacific government trends in management, technology and policy.
• Alzheimers NZ's National Dementia Strategy
  This was launched at a special Parliamentary function on 6 May, as part of the People, Policy, Partnership Conference.
• A Guide for Carers
  The Government's Guide for Carers is a free booklet for people supporting a loved one or friend. It describes the various kinds of government help available in New Zealand so you can more easily find financial and practical support. If you, or the organisation you work for, would like copies of the Guide, please phone 0800 777 797.
  » You can also download A Guide for Carers from www.carers.net.nz
• 5^th Vulnerability Report
  The NZ Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) has released its fifth issue of the Vulnerability Report covering the first quarter of 2010.
• Strategic Pay's Not for Profit Remuneration Survey
  Key findings from this annual survey are reported in the latest issue of Community Connect
• CCS Disability Action launches Making It Work online discussion
  The Making It Work wiki has been created to encourage discussion around the barriers that the disabled community faces in education and employment. The wiki is part of the Journey to Work project initiated by CCS Disability Action and Workbridge, and is a great way to connect people, talk online and share personal experiences. The wiki is free to use, but if you want to contribute to the discussion you'll need to sign-in online.
  » For enquires or wiki help, contact Jo Boyle at CCS Disability Action at comms@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
• Minister of State Services' opening address to State Services Senior Leaders Development Conference (18 June)
  ......the focus of this government is on delivering better, smarter public services with limited resources.....
• Winners of the IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards
  The winners were announced on 18 June. Award categories included Working Together for Better Services, Crown-Māori Relationships and Improving Public Value through Business Transformation.
• Applications now open for HRINZ Conference Gifting Programme 2010
  Not-for-profit organisations can benefit from having their human resource staff attend professional development events run by the Human Resources Institute of NZ (HRINZ), but often this is not possible because of a lack of available funding.The HRINZ Conference Gifting Programme, now in its 4th year, offers four gifted registrations for the 2010 HRINZ National Conference (1-3 Sept 2010) to not-for-profit organisations.
  » Applications are due by 31 July - see the criteria now
  » View the HRINZ Restoring the Trust Conference programme and speakers
• Minister Turia's Volunteer Awareness Week speech to the 2010 Nikau Foundation Corporate Challenge celebration (21 June)
• Minister of Internal Affairs'speech to a special conference of the Community Gaming Association (9 June)
• TVNZ Close Up news item about a Department of Internal Affairs report on the Lion Foundation gaming society (22 June)
• Children's Commission - Young People's Reference Group
  The Young People's Reference Group is one way the Children's Commissioner hears first-hand what it's like being young in New Zealand. The group provides their views, and looks at potential solutions to key issues affecting New Zealand/Aotearoa. They are currently looking for young people aged between 12 and 15 years. Application forms can be downloaded at www.occ.org.nz/yprg and are due by 31 July 2010.
• Tangata Tiriti vacancy on the Community Sector Taskforce
  The Community Sector Taskforce invites applications from people interested in filling a Tangata Tiriti South Island representative position. The Community Sector Taskforce is an independent body of ten community representatives, established in 2003 to continue the work developed by the joint community sector and government working parties (2000-02) to develop the relationship between government and the sector.
  » See skill requirements and desired qualities online, with applications due by 9 July 2010
  » See the Community Korero papers from the Community Sector Taskforce's regional hui
  » Read the Taskforce's Community Collectives description
• Submit an abstract for the NZ Council of Social Services (NZCOSS) conference
  If you wish to present at the NZCOSS conference in Dunedin on 17-19 November 2010, you need to submit an abstract by Friday, 2 July. There will be two main themes for the programme:
  • The Family and Community Sustainability stream will explore supporting our most vulnerable but most important community institution, the family.  What happens when they fall through the cracks? How can families survive economic hardship? How do we support those families with special health or financial needs? How is the family sustained?
  • The Organisation and Sector Sustainability stream will look at the current environment - global environment, local environment and sector environment.  How will organisations and community groups survive into the future?  How do sector and community groups adapt to changing political environments? What is government's role in supporting the most vulnerable citizens?
• Putting the Civil Society Sector on the Economic Map of the World - USA
  This article by Lester M. Salamon was published in the Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Volume 81 Issue 2, Pages 167 - 210, May 2010.

All the content from the OCVS events calendar has now been integrated into the Events calendar on CommunityNet Aotearoa - so now there is one less place to check when you want to know about community sector related events. Instead of maintaining a separate calendar on the OCVS website, we will now add all our events to CommunityNet Aotearoa and also list additional events we hear about, which organisers have not found time to load themselves.

Forthcoming events include:

• Charities Commission forums in Rotorua, Hamilton, Auckland, and Northland
  (28 June - 2 July)
• Good Engagement seminar on Participatory Leadership - Napier (29 June)
• Community Response Model regional briefings (29 June - 30 July)
• Funding Expo - Blenheim (6 July)
• Youth Parliament 2010 (6-7 July)

....and much more.

» View the full CommunityNet Aotearoa events calendar online

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 34 ends].

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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.

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