Issue 40 - 7 April 2011

During late February and March, our thoughts were with all those people affected by the Christchurch earthquake as we supported our Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Social Development colleagues who took a lead on co-ordinating the government response.

Our connections with the community sector meant we heard numerous examples of groups working together for the good of their communities - many while they faced their own individual loss and destruction. One example of this was the website established by the NZ Council of Christian Social Services to help local NGOs connect, share their status and ask for or offer assistance to each other.  It was a brilliant example of fleet-footed co-ordination and collaboration in the community sector.

It is in times of crisis that we see the best of our communities - with individuals, families, whanau, friends, neighbours and even strangers pulling together to get through. At such a terrible time, it was heartening to witness the mobilisation of volunteers and the community bonds demonstrating the strength of character and compassion of our fellow human beings.

At some stage down the track, we will need to create opportunities to share the developments and insights gained during the response process so these can prove useful in other communities in the future. An area for particular focus will be how to harness technology (such as online mapping tools and social media) to deliver timely information and co-ordinate efforts, as there were some real advances made in what was achieved in Christchurch. (One 24 March presentation exploring the use of new media to help Canterbury is already online.)

If you are personally still wondering what you can do to help Canterbury, please follow the advice of the agencies co-ordinating assistance to ensure it gets to where it is needed. You might choose to donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, a global fundraiser for the recovery effort in the city and the Canterbury region.

• Donations can be made at www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz
• Telecom, Vodafone and 2 Degrees mobile customers can text chch to 933 to make an automatic $3 donation.
• Donations can also be made via internet banking, or at any branch of New Zealand's retail banks, by depositing into account number 03-0251-0039807-00.
• Go to www.facebook.com/ChristchurchEarthquakeAppeal to find out more.

The Canterbury Earthquake website lists a range of other bank account numbers accepting donations, including the Red Cross, Salvation Army and a Mayoral Fund

Donors are reminded that donations to approved organisations are tax deductible, and can also be made via payroll giving if your workplace has this set up.

On 28 March 2011, Cabinet agreed to establish a new public service department, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), as the lead organisation with overall control and leadership for the ongoing recovery effort.  CERA will establish and maintain a close working relationship with affected local authorities and other stakeholders, including community interests and Ngāi Tahu. A proposed long-term Recovery Strategy will be prepared by CERA, in collaboration with these stakeholders. The process for preparing the recovery plan will allow for community engagement, public submissions, and a streamlined hearing process. Cabinet also agreed to the establishment of community and cross-party Parliamentary forums. 

» Read more about the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)

» See Minister of Revenue's reminder about tax credits

» Read a message of thanks to the sector from the Community and Voluntary Sector Minister

» Read the Ethnic Affairs Minister's praise of ethnic communities

» Check out other quake related links

The Kia tutahi Standing Together Steering Group has received valuable feedback from a range of interested parties, and was able to participate in constructive and thought-provoking discussions about the revised relationship agreement. It is giving strong consideration to the responses and concerns in its report to Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

The Steering Group will shortly handover its report to Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Turia and, after acceptance of the report, the role of the Steering Group will be completed.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Turia and Hon Hekia Parata, Associate Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, will then consider and respond to the Steering Group's proposals.

» See background on the work of the Kia Tutahi Steering group
» Read the report on Progress on Government Actions to Build Strong Community Relationships  - reported to Cabinet Social Policy Committee members by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector in January 2011

A new Quarterly Generosity Indicators report is available this week to coincide with the Philanthropy through the Looking Glass conference. 

This analyses two new quarters worth of data. These research findings are compared with previous quarters and include analysis of the effects of major disasters such as the Pacific tsunami, Christchurch's September earthquake and the Pike River mine, which all occurred in the period for which data is now available.  This is the first time that we can gauge the impact of such events on the giving and volunteering behaviours of New Zealanders.

As more detail on the behaviours of givers becomes available, this will help community groups target who, where and how they recruit and engage prospective supporters. The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, in association with the Generosity Hub, commissions Nielsen Media Research to collect quarterly data on giving and volunteering in New Zealand.

» Check the latest data on the OCVS website

» See the previous Quarterly Generosity Indicators

» Share your experiences of generosity on the Giving for Good website

OCVS and Te Puni Kokiri will deliver a good engagement seminar on 19 April in the Wairarapa, entitled Engaging effectively with Māori communities.

Many organisations are looking for ways to build stronger relationships with tangata whenua, so we anticipate broad interest in the event. Ideas about effective engagement will be provided by two speakers, followed by opportunities to discuss and share your views.

Paora Ammunson will talk about his experiences of engaging Māori in the establishment of the Wairarapa Primary Health Organisation, and in the organising of Rugby World Cup 2011. Liz Mellish will outline her experiences of engaging with local and central government in relation to natural resources.

Paora currently oversees Māori and iwi engagement in Rugby World Cup 2011 for Te Puni Kokiri. He has extensive leadership and governance experience, and is regarded as an expert in te reo Māori, whaikōrero (formal oratory), and Wairarapa iwi history and tikanga. Liz is currently contracted to be the Natural Resources Advisor to the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust. The Trust is established to receive and manage the Treaty settlement for Taranaki Whanui in Wellington and the Hutt Valley.

» See more about this event in Masterton and book your place

» Listen to the presentation from the recent collaborative governance seminar featuring a Land and Water Forum case study

Family and Community Services (FACS), part of the Ministry of Social Development, is working with service providers to make sure its funding and contracting is consistent with the new Code of Funding Practice by June 2011.

The first step has been to make sure all relevant FACS staff are familiar with the Code and providers are told about it. Staff have been introduced to the Code through regular newsletters, presentations to teams and resources on its intranet.

Information for providers has been put up on the Family and Community Services website and included in regular newsletters sent out to the sector. FACS staff have also been encouraged to talk to providers about using the principles of the Code, particularly at natural points of contact, such as when a contract is being developed or renewed.

FACS national office and regional staff are being encouraged to identify good practice examples of how to use the Code so these can be shared with others. Staff are also being encouraged to use the Code review tool developed by the OCVS, particularly when initiating or renewing contracts.

The FACS annual provider perception survey for 2011 has included questions covering the Code. So, when the survey results are in, staff will know the steps they need to take to further the integration of the Code into their work.

» Further information about FACS' use of the Code can be obtained from Alasdair Finnie alasdair.finnie002@msd.govt.nz or 04 918 9564

» Explore the Code of Funding Practice online

In February, OCVS Analyst, James King was part of New Zealand's delegation for the Young Core Leaders of Civil Society Groups Development Program run by the Japanese Government. The programme aims to build understanding about civil society and capability in non-profits and brought together delegates from Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in Japan.

One key observation James made was the relatively small contribution that government funding and private donations make to the non-profit sector in Japan, when compared to non-profits in Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Most Japanese non-profits, and especially larger ones, tend to derive most of their income from trading, so fit more the 'social enterprise' model of operation than those in the invited countries. This means Japanese non-profits often have quite a different relationship to government and the for-profit sector.

Thankfully James had returned to New Zealand before the quake and tsunami hit in March, but our thoughts are with all those affected by the disasters.

» Read more about the exchange programme online

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@dia.govt.nz for inclusion in our email updates.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) has published a comprehensive training package for volunteer managers. Though the context for this training package is civil defence emergency management, it offers useful guidance for a broader range of other volunteer managers.

The training package, which covers two unit standards, is a self-paced distance programme that uses e-Learning as the main delivery mechanism.  The e-Learning modules are all freely available on the Civil Defence website.  The assessment materials and trainer information is also available on DVD. 

» Check out the training package online

The Victory Village Forum in Nelson will now be held on 27-29 July, instead of its original April date.  It will be a national event about local development and new ways of working.

The forum will bring together a group of innovative school and community leaders and practitioners, with representatives from local government, central government, support agencies, service providers, philanthropic organisations and NGOs to participate in an extended conversation about family-centred, community-led development.

One of the best known examples of this approach is Nelson's Victory Village, which was named community of the year in the 2010 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards.

Victory Village comprises Victory Community Health Centre and Victory Primary School, and is an example of a community-based support group achieving positive health, social and educational outcomes. It evolved from a number of health and social services operating randomly out of school meeting rooms in a disadvantaged area. It has resulted in a more sustainable community, with more effective service provision and families that are more stable and resilient.

Forum participants will:

• learn about 'the Victory approach', which intentionally integrates families and the community in the project
• see other NZ examples getting started in family-centred, community-led development
• share their own and hear participants' experiences of trying to work in this way
• build a network of people who can advise, support and inspire each other
• discover how meaningful change occurs, ways to promote intentional change, and demonstrate progress
• hear a range of perspectives on what it means to be involved in community development
• create strategies and 'pressure points' for systems change, building on what's already happening in New Zealand.

The Victory Village Forum is brought to you by Nelson's Victory Village, in partnership with the Families Commission and Inspiring Communities.

» Visit the Victory Village Forum website to find out more or register

» Download Paths of Victory: A Victory Village case study

Each year, 31 March marks the time to claim your tax credits for donations made during the previous 12 months.  In these tight economic times, the extra money can be an economic boost for many people - and if you don't need the tax credits for yourself, you can donate them to another bank account.

Individuals, companies and Māori authorities can all claim tax credits on donations to approved non-profits - including the earthquake appeals and many schools.

The key points are:

• Individuals can claim a tax credit of one-third (33.33%) of all donations they make, limited only by the level of their annual taxable income.
• Companies are entitled to a deduction for all donations made to donee organisations, limited only by the amount of the company's net income.
• The donation deduction is available to unlisted close companies (companies with five or fewer shareholders).
• Māori authorities are entitled to a deduction for all donations made to donee organisations, limited only by the amount of their net income.

Tax credit claims for donations can be made quickly and easily - just collect up your receipts, fill out the form and send it off.

The new financial year is also a great time to consider starting payroll giving. By making donations directly from your wages/salary, you get an IMMEDIATE tax credit so your generosity is more affordable and you don't have to save receipts throughout the year. Talk to your employer about payroll giving today.

» Find out how to make a claim on the Inland Revenue website

» Check the IRD website for a list of approved donee organisations (these include, but are not limited to, charities registered with the Charities Commission)

» Learn more about payroll giving

» See Minister of Revenue's reminder about tax credits

» See Inland Revenue's official figures on how much has been donated via payroll giving

The first national Neighbours Day Aotearoa on 26-27 March 2011 saw people around the country getting together to make connections in the streets where they live.

Since the devastation wrought by the Christchurch earthquake in February, the importance of having positive relationships with our neighbours has never been so evident.

There were many reports from neighbourhoods all over the city of people looking out for each other to see what they could do to help - knocking on doors, shovelling silt, and just checking that all is well. Stories of neighbours sharing resources such as barbeques and gas bottles, and tips on the art of building an outside 'long-drop' demonstrated true neighbourliness, but Neighbours Day Aotearoa meant communities around the country could show the same camaraderie - without waiting for a disaster.

Neighbours Day Aotearoa was about endorsing and encouraging this neighbourly spirit - and turning streets into neighbourhoods. It was organised by LIFEWISE, Inspiring Communities, and Methodist Mission Aotearoa.

Activities included:

• Te Raa Mokopuna Community Day at Molley Green, Waitakere
• Grey Lynn Street Party, Auckland
• a community gathering at Hannah's Bay Reserve, Rotorua
• Friends of Aotea picnic at Aotea Lagoon, Porirua
• Westpac and Burger Wisconsin promoting the day to customers.

» Read more about how Neighbours Day events helped to build caring communities

‘Volunteering - every minute counts' will be the theme for the 2011 Volunteer Awareness Week, to be held from 19-25 June.

The idea behind the theme is that: Because volunteers provide an invaluable contribution to our society, then every minute of their work counts.

For those who manage/organise volunteer programmes this means they need to consider ways they can be flexible in how and when they involve their volunteers - to enable everyone possible, even the busiest,  to have the opportunity to volunteer. For anyone who is considering volunteering, it means that every moment of their busy life that they can spare for volunteering is valuable because volunteers all contribute, no matter what amount of time they give.

The theme, which is set by Volunteering NZ and the Volunteer Centres, was inspired by 2011 being the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10). The broad objectives of the year are:

Celebrating volunteering as an expression of our common humanity and as a means to:

• build respect, understanding, trust, solidarity and reciprocity
• benefit both society at large and the individual volunteer
• contribute to human development and human rights
• engage the will, positive energy and innovation of millions of people towards realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• create an enabling environment for citizen engagement through the development of volunteering policies, supportive legislation and other infrastructure.

» Watch for more news of Volunteer Awareness Week activities soon

2011 is the 5^th anniversary of the Nikau Foundation Corporate Challenge where volunteers from a number of businesses and government departments give a day to complete a project in their local community.

The Challenge is co-ordinated by Judy Kerr at Volunteer Wellington, who matches projects with individual business needs. Not only do local community groups benefit from the expertise and good will of the business volunteers, but businesses also benefit from team building experiences, learning new skills, and extending overall knowledge about their communities.

Funding from Nikau Foundation, the community foundation for the greater Wellington region, will make it possible for over 50 community projects to take place in Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley during the February to June period.

Nikau Foundation is a charitable trust that encourages generosity and makes it easy for people to give to their local community. One gift through Nikau is invested, with the income given out on behalf of the donor to their preferred charities, every year, forever.

Businesses or government departments who wish to join up for the 2011 Nikau Foundation Corporate Challenge can learn more from Volunteer Wellington.

» Contact Judy Kerr at eitc@volunteerwellington.org.nz or phone 04 499 4572

Development Action will be running the following workshops of interest to community sector organisations in April and May.

• Capturing Outcomes: Results Based Accountability 101
  13 April (Auckland) and 19 April (Wellington)
  Designed to provide a basic level of training so people can implement RBA as an outcomes-focused evaluation tool within their own organisation. RBA is the methodology of choice for several funders, such as Family and Community Services in MSD.
• Maximising Participation: What about sexuality?
  25 May (Auckland) and 31 May (Wellington)
  Sexuality often goes into the "too hard basket" for both domestic and international development NGOs. Any project or service designed to encourage participation needs to take sexuality into account if it is to reach everyone in a community. Find out how to improve community projects and service delivery outcomes.

» Visit www.developmentaction.co.nz to make a booking or email lee@developmentaction.co.nz

Public service

• Cabinet Committee document: Progress on Government Actions to Build Strong Community Relationships
  In August 2009, Cabinet agreed to a work programme of activities to strengthen community-government relationships, in response to the paper Government Commitment to Building Strong Community Relationships [SOC Min (09) 31/5A refers]. The paper was a response to reports by the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa and the Building Better Government Engagement reference group. The table outlines progress with actions outlined in SOC Min (09) 31/5A. This was circulated to Cabinet Social Policy Committee members by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector in January 2011.
• Information Sharing by Government Agencies
  In the course of a review of the Privacy Act 1993, the Law Commission studied the subject of information sharing by government agencies. A report on its findings is now available. The Commission favours facilitation of information sharing between agencies, but only if there are proper checks and balances, and if risks to individual privacy are minimised. It proposes a regime whereby sharing programmes would go through a process of approval by Order in Council, after consultation with appropriate bodies, including the Privacy Commissioner.
• Minister of Finance's speech to the Institute of Public Administration NZ
  Made on 29 March, this speech states: Public management in the foreseeable future will (focus on) sorting out which public services and income support measures are the most effective and working out how to provide those within a tightly-constrained budget.... Over the next few years, the Government needs good advice and new thinking from the public sector..... there has never been a better opportunity for experienced and committed public servants at all levels to contribute to constructive change......We believe people who understand their own services are in the best position to make financial tradeoffs and to introduce innovation which genuinely improves public services...... We will focus our efforts, and government funding, on the things that matter most to New Zealanders....Something has to give, and that has to be lower-value activities the government is currently funding........ This is not a time we can afford to indulge in a whole lot of "nice-to-haves", even though, for sections of the population, they feel the loss of those services or funding streams.
  » Read the speech in full
  » See the latest data on public service staffing numbers
• 2010 Equality and Diversity Report
  The State Services Commission has published a new report on Diversity in the Senior Management of the Public Service.
• Drivers of Satisfaction for Online Public Services
  The State Services Commission has released research on the most important drivers of satisfaction with online public services for New Zealanders - whether they were used for obtaining information or carrying out a transaction. Important drivers included ‘The service experience met my expectations' and ‘It's an example of good value for tax dollars spent'.

Funding and resourcing

• Funding Information Service can help you find funding
  The Funding Information Service can help non-profit community organisations identify alternative or additional sources of funding.
  » See additional funding leads and information online
• The Big Idea online creative community
  Now in its 10^th year, The Big Idea (Te Aria Nui) is where people find the tools, networks, opportunities and inspiration to grow their ‘big ideas' into viable careers, projects and businesses in the creative sector. Centred around delivering a constant source of vital, current information, The Big Idea signals changing trends and shifts across all segments of New Zealand's creative community. The Big Idea community is free to join and you can share your news and views, events and jobs and opportunities as well as show your work, all at the push of a button. You can also create a profile and connect with New Zealand's arts talent and creative enterprise.
  » Start exploring the wealth of funding information or development resources
• New and improved Creative NZ website
  With the help and suggestions of many in the arts sector, Creative NZ has been making its website easier to use and more useful for those who are involved or interested in the arts. New features include graphics to show more clearly how Creative NZ allocates funding, and the ability to search for individual funding and development opportunities. The next stage of website development will be a facility for artists, practitioners and arts organisations to upload completed project reports, including images, media clips and links to their work.
  » See who got funded
• Community Resource Kit - updated version online
  An updated version of the Community Resource Kit is now online at the new-look CommunityNet Aotearoa.  This latest online edition builds upon previous kits produced in 1993 and 2006 by the Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Social Development. The Kit can be downloaded section-by-section.  Topics include financial management, employment, planning, raising funds, information technology, communications and record -keeping. Help to access the Kit online is available from community advisors at Department of Internal Affairs' regional offices and at Citizens Advice Bureaux. It can also be accessed via free Internet sites available in places such as public libraries and information centres.

Canterbury Quake

• How open source technology helped connect people after the Christchurch quake
  This 24 March presentation in Wellington explored how open source software helped Canterbury residents share useful information after the quake. The Christchurch Recovery Map site was up and running within hours using voluntary labour and calling on"the very best talent" both in NZ and internationally - including offers of help from Google. Originally developed in Kenya, the system was subsequently modified for the Queensland Floods, before being used with considerable enhancement in Christchurch. A mobile/text interface was particularly valuable in Christchurch because most people could not use computers due to power outages.The system was based on a map that allowed people to type in their suburb and report information, or receive a text reply telling them about petrol stations, water availability, open cafes, etc. The technology has since been used in Japan and Libya - with each use enabling further enhancements.
  » Find out more as Tim McNamara talks through how eq.org.nz came into being and the value of ‘good enough data" in disaster recovery
• When trauma and grief come to work
  This resource from Skylight is one of many resources to assist people dealing with grief.
• Standards Council offers support to the Canterbury community
  The Standards Council is offering a number of ways to help committee members, nominating organisations, subscribers, and customers whose businesses have been affected by the Canterbury earthquakes. These include:
  • A travel fund to provide financial support to Canterbury-based committee members to enable them to attend development meetings in other parts of New Zealand.
  • A free 6-month Standards New Zealand online library subscription for any Canterbury-based members who have lost their hard-copy Standards collections and/or PCs/servers in the earthquake.
  • Extension of credit terms for Standards to Canterbury businesses experiencing financial hardship directly due to the earthquake.
  • Office space at Standards NZ on The Terrace, Wellington, to use when in the capital.
  
  » Further information about this assistance can be gained by emailing enquiries@standards.co.nz
• Additional quake related links to resources and assistance

NZ communities and the sector

• Welfare Working Group report
  In February, the Welfare Working Group released its report on what it thinks the Government should do to make New Zealand's welfare system effective and sustainable over the coming decades. The advice from the independent review contains 43 recommendations that the Government is taking time to consider.
• State of the nation report
  In February, the Salvation Army Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit published a report examining the social policy areas of child welfare, work and incomes, housing, crime and punishment, and social hazards - such as gambling, alcohol and drugs.

• Key findings on New Zealand's progress using a sustainable development approach: 2010
  This update from Statistics NZ addresses the issue of sustainable development using four main questions, which are answered by the results of 16 key indicators. Over the past 20 or so years, real incomes, health, education and safety have increased, however unemployment remains high and we're continuing to become a less equal society. While the economy is becoming more efficient when using resources, there are reductions in biodiversity and increases in greenhouse gases and nutrient loading of our rivers.

• Opinion piece: Wrong focus to charity funding reform
  Islay McLeod's February article from the Christchurch Press raises a number of issues, which are likely to generate a varied range of opinions.
• Massive disasters spur Kiwis' generosity
  This 19 March NZ Herald article by Diana Clement explores recent giving behaviours in New Zealand.
• Community Economic Development group identifies confusion
  The group's February Bulletin states:
  "In New Zealand, there continues to be confusion about just what is social enterprise. In a recent New Zealand Herald article, Is Social Enterprise about to Come Out of the Shadows journalist Peter Kerr refers to social enterprise as being ‘the 2011 version of corporate social responsibility' (CSR). Whilst both CSR and social enterprise are positive practices, they are not the same. CSR is a part of traditional business in which profits are returned to individuals and shareholders."
  » You can learn more at the Community Economic Development Conference on 18-19 April

Measurement & research

• Strategic Pay Not for Profit Remuneration Survey underway
  This survey is the largest and most comprehensive in the Not for Profit Sector in New Zealand, aimed at those non-profit organisations that employ paid staff. (Around 10% of the 97,000 non-profits do.) First time survey participants are welcome. Instructions on how to complete the survey are on the Strategic Pay website (PDF - 128 KB). Data should be entered online before 15 April 2011.
  » For more information on the survey phone 09 303 4045 or e-mail surveys@strategicpay.co.nz
• Charity is very big business
  In the Money section of the 6 March 2011 edition of the Sunday Star Times, Rob Stock looked at the top 50 income-earning charities in NZ - reporting that "they pulled in a combined $5.6b gross income in the period up to their last financial reporting dates."
• New Community Research website
  Community Research is the place to find good community research and researchers in New Zealand.The websiteis Aotearoa's premier hub for research papers, articles, case studies and documentation about the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector.Use it to upload your research, join or create discussion forums, find research and researchers, help pass on new ideas and good practice, and share your expertise with others.
• Incentivising Collaboration: Blackmail, bribery and arm-twisting on the road to charitable collaboration (PDF - 2.27 MB)
  This MBA research project by Mark Bentley of Auckland Communities Foundation is available online. The study concludes that whilst financial incentives have an important stimulus role, skilful and thoughtful application of non-financial incentives is critical for the long term embedment of effective collaboration.

Engagement and technology

• New Zealand Parliamentarians and Online Social Media report
  This paper defines online social media and briefly notes Internet usage in New Zealand before focusing on the use of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube by Members of Parliament. The use of online social media in campaigning, its influence and instances of online public interaction are examined, and possible future trends are discussed.
  » See how the community sector is exploring key issues online

• National Library seeks people to test new website
  The National Library of NZ Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa is recruiting a group of people from all walks of life as potential user testers. People from a range of ages, places and backgrounds are sought and can include various forms of access - Te Reo, Sign, Screen Reader and magnifier. If you're interested, go online and provide a few details about yourself.

Recognition

• Green Ribbon Awards nominations due
  The Green Ribbon Awards are presented by the Minister for the Environment to recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to protecting and enhancing New Zealand's environment. Nominations close on Friday 15 April 2011.
• Giving for Good site shares stories of generosity
  The Generosity Hub's Giving for Good site enables people to share their experiences of giving. It features case studies, anecdotes and blogs about different perspectives of generosity - check it out and add your own.

Improving effectiveness

• Scaling what works - a learning initiative
  The USA's Grantmakers for Effective Organizations has produced What Do We Mean by Scale?, the first of nine briefing papers for grantmakers to be released throughout 2011. The first paper offers four steps for grantmakers working to strengthen grantee results and more effectively grow impact - see what they are. It presents direct and practical approaches to topics such as evaluation methods that support scaling, structuring and financing scale and building partnerships to grow impact. Growing impact does not necessarily require organisational growth or the wholesale replication of programmes ─ it may instead require expanding an idea or innovation, technology or skill, advocacy or policy change. The series has been informed by existing research, as well as interviews with expert practitioners, with the aim of synthesising lessons learned, offering a framework through which grantmakers can approach these issues, and teeing up ongoing questions for the philanthropic field to tackle together.
  » Read the related blog on scale and innovation in philanthropy
• 11 ways to get to breakthrough messaging
  In February, Nancy Schwartz spoke at the Marketing by Association conference in Auckland. Nancy writes a regular Getting Attention blog featuring ideas to help non-profits succeed through effective marketing. The 11 ways blog highlights many of the ideas and resources she shared with delegates.
  » Watch an interview with Nancy on Breakfast
• When does collaboration make sense?
  The March 2001 issue of Alliance magazine explored the buzzword of the moment ‘collaboration' and explores a range of views on the topic.
• How to do things differently report calls for change (PDF - 1.9mb)
  The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has urged the Scottish government to remove regulations that make it difficult for charities to provide public services. The report also asks the government to continue to provide grant funding rather than offer contracts. The report also calls for a community benefit clause to be inserted into all public procurement exercises and an "urban right to buy", similar to the rural right to buy that already exists in Scotland, which allows communities to take over land and buildings.
• Our Community resources for non-profits
  Our Community is a social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia's 600,000 not-for-profit community groups and state, private and independent schools, as well as practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government.

Engagement and participation

• Pathways through Participation Citizenship Survey findings
  Headline findings for the first two quarters of the UK government's 2010-11 Citizenship Survey show that 32% of people had engaged in civic participation at least once in the 12 months prior to interview and 24% of people reported that they volunteered formally at least once a month. These are the lowest rates since the survey started in 2001 - the survey itself is on the list of activities due to be abolished by the government.
• Co-creation part of Singapore's new ‘Gov-with-You' approach to citizen engagement
  Singapore's e-government strategy will shift from ‘Gov-to-You' to a ‘Gov-With-You' approach, which includes a roll out of more citizen engagement initiatives leveraging on social media in the next fiveyears. The approach aims to engender a collaborative government that co-creates and connects with thepeople. It will focus on three strategic thrusts:
  • co-creating across sectors to bring about higher value for citizens and businesses
  • connecting with citizens to involve them in shaping public policies
  • catalysing transformation within the whole-of-government to be immersed in the same enabling technologies and culture.
• People's Parliament held in New South Wales
  In the run up to the NSW election, The Daily Telegraph newspaper ran a People's Parliament on 1 March 2011 to gain views on a range of key issues. It was based on the Citizens' Assembly concept, which arguably was first held in British Columbia, Canada in 2003.
  » See the Canadian Citizens' Assembly video on YouTube (3.06 mins)
• Watch Us Now
  Us Now is a film project about the power of mass collaboration, government and the internet. The video shows how technology is giving more power to people to make decisions, work together, provide funding or appoint football teams!
• Delib expert blogs about his trip to NZ and open government
  Chris Quigley of Delib UK made a whistle-stop trip to NZ in February to talk about how the internet is helping connect people with decision-making. Delib UK provides digital democracy apps and consultation software to facilitate online policy-making and consultation in many countries. In his blog, Chris shares his impressions of NZ and Australia and the interface between government and citizens. The site also has much information on innovative uses of online technology, crowd sourcing and case studies.
• European policy review on child and youth participation underway (PDF - 173kb)
  The Council of Europe is undertaking an analysis of the extent to which legislation and policy in member countries complies with the rights in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child pertaining to children and young people's participation and influence in decision-making. It has recently published a framework for the policy review process.
• Presentations from GosCon 2010: Government open source conference
  This conference in Oregon explored open government, information sharing, connecting the private and public sector, web-mapping collaboration, and ways to reduce the taxpayer burden through open source.

Recognition

• Nominations for Nexus Commonwealth Awards due by 31 May 2011
  These awards recognise outstanding contributions to the countries, organisations, citizens and values of the Modern Commonwealth. Celebrating the role that individuals and organisations play in strengthening the Commonwealth and helping it to make a difference to people's lives. The inaugural Awards will be announced and presented at a special event on 28 July 2011 at the House of Lords, London. Award categories include:
  • Lifetime Contribution Award
    Presented to an individual who has either made a significant contribution to the institutions of the Commonwealth, or demonstrated a life-long commitment to the Commonwealth's core values.
  • Communicator of the Year Award
    Awarded to an innovative communications piece, series or campaign, originated by a Commonwealth organisation that promotes the Commonwealth or its institutions, particularly to new audiences.
  • Enterprise of the Year Award
    Presented to a company, NGO or project based in a Commonwealth member country that has both transformed the lives of Commonwealth citizens and helped them engage the wider Commonwealth family.
  • Investor of the Year Award
    Awarded to an international company that exemplifies the ‘Commonwealth Factor' - demonstrably growing throughout the association, while making a contribution to development, democracy and diversity in several Commonwealth member countries.

Measurement

• UK household donation levels fail to rise over 20 years
  The New State of Donations: Three decades of household giving to charity 1978-2008 report uses data from the UK Office of National Statistics' Living Costs and Food survey. It says that in 2008 households gave an average of 0.4 per cent of their spending to charity - exactly the same as in 1988. The report, from the Cass Business School and the University of Bristol, finds giving has been relatively recession-proof: the value of giving in real terms has typically grown during times of economic growth but has not fallen at the same rate as the economy during recessions.
• UK non-profit umbrella bodies mapping funding cuts together
  National and regional bodies for the non-profit sector in the UK have collaborated to produce a website that builds a nationwide picture of how government spending cuts are impacting on voluntary organisations. It uses Google Maps to show the spread. The front page form allows non-profits to "share your experiences and the impact the cuts will have on the people who use your services."
• Scoping study for national not-for-profit regulator
  Earlier this year, the Australian Treasury consulted on this paper, which explores ways to deliver smarter regulation, reduce red tape and improve the transparency and accountability of the not-for-profit sector in Australia.
• Manual on the measurement of volunteer work
  This manual represents the first-ever internationally sanctioned guidance to statistical agencies for generating reliable, official data on volunteer work using a common definition and approach.It was drafted by Johns Hopkins University Center for Civil Society Studies in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and an International Technical Experts Group, and with the support of the United Nations Volunteers. "Volunteer work is an enormous renewable resource for social, economic, and environmental problem-solving throughout the world, as we are sure to discover again in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. But the lack of solid data on volunteering has left it under-valued and its full potentials unrealised," noted Lester M. Salamon, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies.

Charitable status

• Charitable status and the advancement of amateur sport
  The UK Charities Commission is consulting on the advancement of amateur sport. The Commission's consultation focuses on when it is appropriate for organisations to adopt the advancement of amateur sports or games as a charitable aim and what can be done by charities to advance that aim for the public benefit. Following the consultation the Commission will prepare guidance on advancing amateur sports or games, taking into account the responses and submissions received.
  » The consultation material is available online (PDF -216 KB)

Check the Events calendar on CommunityNet Aotearoa to see what is happening around the country.  Forthcoming events include:

• International Year of Volunteers +10 (throughout 2011)
• Engaging effectively with Māori communities seminar - Masterton (19 April)
• Progressing social enterprise in NZ workshop - Wellington (28 April)
• Deadline to vote for COGS local distribution committee members (2 May)
• Connecting Up Conferences in Wellington & Auckland (27 & 30 May)

....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@dia.govt.nz)
[Issue 40 ends].

» Read previous issues