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The CommunityNet Aotearoa monthly newsletter.
"News and views on community networking throughout Aotearoa."
Are you concerned about the spread of private information being publicly available on the internet? Are there any invasions of privacy that you think should be criminal offences? The Law Commission has created an online consultation site to encourage feedback about its current law reform projects. TalkLaw gives you the opportunity to have your say on law reform projects we are working on. Your input is important and will influence our recommendations for changes to the law. The review of privacy law is the first forum topic open for discussion. To participate in the discussion forums, go to http://www.talklaw.co.nz
/communitycentre/news/national/talklaw.htm
The yMedia Challenge is underway in 2009. So far, we have 12 enthusiastic student teams completing Information Communication Technology (ICT) Projects for 12 deserving Community Groups. It's a win-win: students gain vital experience and increase their employability, and the Community Groups get exposed to new media and ICT opportunities! The extra exciting thing is that this year, the student teams have been appointed their very own agency mentor to support and guide them through the project development. We're expecting to see some amazing results.
/communitycentre/news/national/ymedchallenge.htm
Nominations are open for the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's 2009 Achievers Awards. Held every two years, the Awards recognise and celebrate people with asthma or another respiratory illness who have a great attitude and achieve things in their lives. We encourage you to nominate someone special that you know by 31 August. Everyone who is nominated will receive a certificate and eight special Supreme Achievers will be presented with an award by the Governor-General in Wellington in November.
/communitycentre/news/national/asthmaawards.htm
"We have a choice. We can keep complaining about greed, fraud, and cutthroat business practices. We can put up with the daily stress of unsuccessfully juggling jobs and family. We can tell ourselves there's nothing we can do about policies that damage our natural environment, create huge gaps between haves and have-nots, and lead to untold suffering. Or we can join together to help construct a saner, sounder, more caring economics and culture." - Riane Eisler. To learn more go to: http://www.centreforpartnershipstudies.org. After learning about the Centre for Partnership Studies (CPS) and if you like what they do, you are welcome to help start a Centre for Partnership Studies in Christchurch.
/communitycentre/news/national/cpschch.htm
Applications for the World YWCA Internship Programme 2010 are now open. Young women leaders of the YWCA movement have an opportunity to participate in the internship programme that will have a strong emphasis on advocacy, communication, HIV and AIDS and young women's leadership. The deadline for receipt of applications by the World YWCA is August 31, 2009.
/communitycentre/news/national/ywcainternships.htm
You will be aware that the numbers of Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) cases in New Zealand are increasing. The Ministry of Health advises that this trend is likely to continue over the coming weeks and months. Obviously, a pandemic of this kind or any similar type of crisis will affect your organisation, your staff and clients. Just how much you are affected will depend on the severity of the crisis and how well prepared you are.
/communitycentre/news/national/n1h1.htm
Entries have now opened for the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards. The awards have a section specifically for community organisations that recognises management excellence in organisations outside the private sector including the not-for-profit sector, schools and local government. Community groups are also welcome to enter their business into any category.
/communitycentre/news/national/westpacawards.htm
Skylight's new children's booklet 'What's a Protection Order?' was officially launched by Judge Boshier, The Principal Family Court Judge of New Zealand, at the National Child Advocates Hui in Wellington. 'What's a Protection Order?' is for children age 7-12 years who have witnessed or experienced family violence. It gives them a clear understanding of the 'what' and the 'why', in simple, easy to understand language. Colourfully illustrated, this booklet is engaging for young readers and has strong personal safety messages including a Safety Plan they can make their own.
/communitycentre/news/national/protectionorder.htm
The Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind has opened consultation on their draft business plan 2009-2012. This is your chance to have your say on the work the Foundation will do in the next three years (2009 to 2012) to move in the direction the Board has set for them in their strategic plan.
/communitycentre/news/national/rnzfbbizplan.htm
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has launched a comprehensive, easy-to-use accessibility map of the central city for people with disabilities. Put together by the Council's Disability Advisory Group, the Accessible Christchurch Map is available in printable web format or as an A2 fold-up. The map provides information on access features in the central Christchurch area. This includes information on features such as accessible toilets, mobility car parks, hearing loops, taxi stands, buildings, mobility scooters, parks and much more.
/communitycentre/news/national/chchmap.htm
In a recent report New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), UK says that 95% of people in the United Kingdom are unaware that they can support a charity by becoming a trustee, and that this helps explain why nearly half of charities have vacancies on their boards. The organisation highlights a number of improvements that could help to strengthen trusteeship, such as more action on recruitment from charities, funders and government, better support once boards are established, setting up a body responsible for trusteeship, and a stronger focus on boards evaluating their own performance.
/communitycentre/news/national/trusteesmatter.htm
Latest community news, events, jobs and ads are online at:www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news.
Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust Inc. is a non-profit organisation delivering community-based support services to socially isolated senior citizens of Indian and South Asian origin living in the Auckland region.
http://www.shantiniwas.org.nz/
Family Care Radio is a monthly one-hour internet radio show for carers, their whanau, aiga and friends. Each show includes interviews with carers, experts and decision-makers, five-minute features to help carers improve their health, wellbeing and knowledge, and helpful tips and hints to make life easier.
http://www.familycareradio.net.nz/
TalkLaw is the New Zealand Law Commission's online consultation site. It gives you the opportunity to have your say on law reform projects we are working on. Your input is important and will influence our recommendations for changes to the law.
http://www.talklaw.co.nz
Orton Bradley Park is a private Banks Peninsula farm park run by a body corporate for the enjoyment of all people. The park and recreation spot is an ideal destination for a special day, family events, corporate functions and events, individual and school outdoor education facilities. Orton Bradley Park is a registered charitable trust that relies on donations and entry fees to maintain and develop the park.
http://www.ortonbradley.co.nz
Action Bio-Community (ABC) is a New Zealand-wide biodiversity project run in partnership between central and local government. The project helps councils work with their communities and other agencies to address biodiversity issues on land outside the conservation estate.
http://www.biocommunity.org.nz/
Te Whaioranga supports Maori families to achieve their maximum health and wellbeing through the safe and appropriate use of medicines. The bilingual website features information, tools and resources in two sections: Health professionals - learn about working more effectively with whanau, and Whanau health - how whanau can achieve te whaioranga (optimal wellness).
http://www.tewhaioranga.co.nz/
ArchSite is the New Zealand Archaeological Association's Archaeological Site Recording Scheme website, where you can access information about archaeological sites in New Zealand. The website is part of an ongoing project to make archaeological information available online, and features news and an interactive map of site locations.
http://www.archsite.org.nz/
The Centre offers an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to learn about Buddha's teachings and meditation, inspiring them to embark on a spiritual life. Everyone is welcome to attend our meditation courses and retreats. These classes offer practical advice to make positive changes in our life that will bring benefit to our self and others.
http://www.meditateinwellington.org
Youth Mentoring Network is a charitable trust established to promote effective youth mentoring opportunities for young New Zealanders and to provide professional development initiatives for individuals and organisations working in youth mentoring. The website showcases what is happening in NZ, so that you can locate useful local information with ease, then follow this up with personal contact.
http://www.youthmentoring.org.nz/
Small Town New Zealand gives small towns the opportunity to come together to share ideas, gain inspiration and promote their own communities. Sharing of ideas, experiences and initiatives are important for towns, suburbs and rural communities to move forward in a strong, connected way. The Small Town New Zealand orgnisation is governed by the Small Town Conference Advisory Group.
http://www.smalltown.org.nz/
Support Works supports people in the Nelson Marlborough district whose lives are affected by a disability, to achieve their goal, retain their independence and self reliance, and to enjoy optimum quality of life. Support Works provides assessment for people with health and disability needs in order to maximise their independence and full participation in the community.
http://www.nmdhb.govt.nz/SupportWorks.aspx
The Orphans of Nepal Trust (ONT) supports orphaned children in need in the Kathmandu region through the provision of funds for food, education, clothing and healthcare. The secondary function of ONT is to foster a connection between the Eastbourne community and the Nepali children they support.
http://www.orphansofnepal.org.nz/
YouthLaw Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki is a community law centre for children and young people throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand. The website provides information about young peoples' rights and how the law can help overcome issues that may affect them.
http://www.youthlaw.co.nz/
The National Council of Women of New Zealand aims to serve women, the family and community at local, national and international level through study, discussion and action. The Council advocates social justice by educating women on topical issues, collecting their opinions, and representing those opinions to decision makers.
http://www.ncwnz.co.nz/index.htm
You'll find these and more links at:www.community.net.nz/links.
These Events are coming up in the next few weeks. Find details at: www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/events.
These Training events are coming up in the next few weeks. Find details at: www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/training.
Annoyed and frustrated at waste-of-time meetings? Tally the costs and do something.
I've attended far too many meetings that have gone on too long, wandered off-topic or just been a complete waste of time. I imagine you have too.
Here's one simple and fun way to help everyone gain a better perspective: The Meeting Ticker.
The Meeting Ticker is simply a web page where you enter the number of participants and the average hourly cost. Then you click the Start button.
For example, 4 participants, each being paid $15 per hour would eat through $1 for every minute, or $60 per hour. Hold 3 such meetings per week for 40 weeks per year and more than $7,000 has gone from the budget.
As soon as you click Start the Meeting Ticker begins counting costs — rather like the meter in a taxi. Right before your eyes you see the cents and dollars spinning past, rather astonishing quickly.
Try it out sometime and find out just how much the 'waffle' costs. Then suggest some ways to tighten up the meetings. There's some excellent information in the Community Resource Kit.
I actually think there could be a good market for a stand-alone meeting-cost timer device ….
Google Street View transforms the way we see and move in the world.
In October 2008 I got very lost on the way to the dog park at the top of Tinakori Hill. There's a maze of tightly wound streets up there, and the street map in my car had a spiral binding intruding on the most crucial areas. It also has no 'zoom in' feature. A 15 minute trip took me 45 minutes.
The easiest route would have been up Orangi Kaupapa Road. Unfortunately, it's one way only, downhill, for a very good reason, as you can see by looking at it on Street View.
If only I'd had access then to Street View I could have 'driven' the route before even leaving home, noting landmarks along the way.
Google Street View arrived in New Zealand in December 2008. It doesn't cover every square inch of the country, but it has a lot to offer. This 2 minute Google Video provides a good introduction.
A specially equipped Google car has driven along many streets in New Zealand, taking photos in 360 degrees as it went. These photos are all blended together into a continuous image.
You are able to pick any spot where Street View is available, zoom in and out, turn around, move along, and to a certain extent, change your angle of view.
It's not a live image: it doesn't show what's going on right now on your street, but it's phenomenally useful.
To call up Street View first find a location on Google Maps. For example, search for 'Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, New Zealand'. A Wellington map is displayed with a couple of markers. Marker B shows the right place: 46 Waring Taylor Street.
Now, from the zoom control at top left of the map, drag the little yellow person over the map and wait a moment without letting go of the mouse button. After a moment or two many streets will be outlined in blue. Drop the yellow person on any outlined street — perhaps Waring Taylor Street. The 'map' view is replaced by 'Street View', showing a photo of the portion of street where you dropped the yellow icon.
Drag up and down or left and right inside the map to turn the view. In the middle of the view you should see a white line with arrows. Click on an arrow to move in that direction. The view 'moves' as though you were driving or walking along. Meanwhile, a small street map is inset and displays where you are and which way you're looking.
Move along Waring Taylor St towards Lambton Quay. On the corner you'll see the Department of Internal Affairs logo displayed on the side of the building, below the much larger TSB sign. Double click on the person walking through the doorway for a closer view.
Now if you need to visit the offices of Communitynet Aotearoa you will know just where to go.
Could you use Street View on your website? If you provide any street addresses, you sure could. It's free, and all you need is a link that you can copy from the map itself.
Check Google Maps now to see if your offices are visible on Street View.
Panui tips contributed by Miraz Jordan, http://knowit.co.nz
Past Website tips are all available on CommunityNet Aotearoa.
In July 2009 there were 50,343 visits (June 53,052).
Last month, 87 new community items were published.
Send in your free community notice or advertisement at:
www.community.net.nz/about/submit.
There were 9,315 files downloaded (June: 10,402). The most popular file download in July was the Sample Board Policies section of the Governance and Management How-to Guide (897 downloads). In June this was also the Sample Board Policies section of the Governance and Management How-to Guide (890 downloads).
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Remember: please forward the complete Panui to others who'll find it useful.
Nick Stanley, Web Content Writer.
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Panui and CommunityNet Aotearoa are guided by an Advisory Group drawn from community organisations and are published by Department of Internal Affairs, PO Box 805, Wellington. Phone: 04 4957200. Email: information@community.net.nz.
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