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The CommunityNet Aotearoa monthly newsletter.
"News and views on community networking throughout Aotearoa."
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) was set up to provide essential support to not-for-profit, voluntary and community organisations. Most grants are for $3000 or less, and contribute to ongoing running costs (eg rent, travel, volunteer and administration), to hosting hui, fono or community workshops, or toward project development costs. Applications can be made online or on paper. www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Community-Funding-Applying-for-COGS-Funding?OpenDocument.
The Health Workforce Advisory Committee is preparing recommendations for the Minister of Health, and has invited comments by 25th July. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/care-support-feedback.htm.
Wellingtonian Vicki Culling is encouraging New Zealanders to put their passion and talent to good use by applying for the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation's World of Difference programme. Entries close August 18. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/world-of-difference.htm.
Since 2000, New England Network has become increasingly concerned about the change of leadership that will affect the youth services field over the next decade. A 2003 survey of NFPs showed 61 to 78 percent plan to leave within five years. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/leadership-challenges.htm.
Auckland Regional Council's Environmental Initiative Fund is now open! The fund was established to support individuals and groups involved in not-for-profit practical projects that enhance, restore and protect Auckland's natural resources and cultural heritage. Applications close 4 August. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/arc-environment-funding.htm.
Wellington City Council has funding available for not-for-profit community groups and organisations undertaking projects that benefit the City socially, culturally, economically or environmentally. Applications close 31 July. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/welly-community-projects.htm.
The AEN journal provides a space for intelligent and critical discussion on issues facing ethnic communities in New Zealand. The open-access online journal features articles written by key thinkers in the ethnic sector in New Zealand and overseas. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/aen-journal-launches.htm.
Trust Waikato and Social Services Waikato are calling for nominations for their annual Child and Family Awards. If you know a person or an organisation enhancing the lives of Waikato children and families, then they'd like to hear from you. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/child-family-awards.htm.
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban invites New Zealanders to apply for the 2006 funding round for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust fellowships. The Trust has already helped over 600 New Zealanders. Applications close 31 July. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/churchill-fellowships.htm.
A poll of visitors to the Volunteering Waikato stand at Fieldays revealed that Fieldays visitors had undertaken 2,616 volunteer jobs in communities all over New Zealand. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/valuable-volunteers.htm.
The registration of charities under the new Charities Act will begin in February 2007. While registration with the Charities Commission is voluntary, existing charitable organisations need to register before 1 July 2008 to continue to qualify for income tax and gift duty exemptions. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/charities-reg-begins-2007.htm.
Presbyterian Support Northern (PSN) has rebranded its child and family services division from James family to Family Works Northern as part of a national initiative to help increase the profile of its work. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/Pfamily-works-northern.htm.
Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), a leading Winnipeg-based registered charitable organization, launched their Virtual Volunteering News and Online Volunteering Announcements RSS Feed. With their RSS Feed, other charities and non-profit organizations around the globe will be able to easily stay informed about developments in their leading-edge virtual volunteering program without having to regularly visit MYS's Web site. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/virtual-volunteer-rss.htm.
Local community groups and charitable organisations seeking funding are invited to apply for a grant in the annual SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust funding round. Applications close on Friday 28 July 2006. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/skycity-community-trusts.htm.
Community organisations contracted by several government agencies to provide services are often faced with a maze of reporting requirements and multiple processes and systems. FfO means that the provider doesn't have to deal with multiple agencies, negotiate multiple contracts, write multiple reports and provide information for multiple audits. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/funding-for-outcomes.htm.
Family & Community Services has re-launched its National Directory of social service providers as the 211 Directory. The 211 Directory connects people to an online national social services directory. This extensive database includes organisation contact details and a brief description of services. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/211-directory.htm.
For the 2005/2006 funding round, the Significant Community Based Projects Fund (SCBPF) received 74 applications. The applications received were for a wide range of projects. They were based in every region, as well as several large nationwide projects and one in Antarctica. www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News/National/scbpf-recipients.htm.
Latest community news, events, jobs and ads are online at: www.community.net.nz/CommunityCentre/News.
The Rotary Club of Plimmerton is a community service-based organisation actively involved in community-based projects. We seek partnerships improving our community, helping those that need a hand, and especially helping our youth maximise their opportunities and potential. www.plimmerton-rotary.wellington.net.nz.
The Aotearoa Ethnic Network (AEN) journal provides an online space for intelligent and critical discussion on issues facing ethnic communities in New Zealand. journal.aen.org.nz.
The Federation provides informed quality support to foster / whanau / kin carers so that children in care are nurtured and provided with alternative life choices. There are 15 local associations nationwide. www.nzfostercare.org.nz.
A Pacific Islands community website focusing on the unique cultures found in the region. Find articles, reviews, music, photos, recipes, forums, myths and legends, language lessons, historical details and much more. www.thepacific.co.nz.
Find out the latest in Onehunga. This website is an extension of the Onehunga Community News, distributed monthly to 8,000 letterboxes and outlets each month. www.onehunga.co.nz.
Skykiwi.com is a leading interactive online community in New Zealand and is a major provider of Chinese language content and services. It offers more than 20 channels and very comprehensive discussion groups consisting of more than 40 sub forums. www.skykiwi.com.
EthnicWord sell bilingual educational resources, available in English and seven Polynesian languages ie. NZ Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niue, Cook Islands Maori and Tokelauan. www.ethnicword.co.nz.
Volunteering Waikato was established to recruit and refer volunteers to non-profit agencies. Our main focus is matching the interests and skills of people who wish to volunteer, with available voluntary jobs in the community. We also support all not-for-profit agencies who involve volunteers by offering a wide range of services including training, information and consultancy, advocacy, and networking opportunities. www.volunteeringwaikato.org.nz.
Donate NZ provides a simple portal where individuals, organisations and companies can donate time, expertise and goods in any condition to schools and early childhood organisations in New Zealand. Community organisations will be added later in 2006. www.donatenz.com.
National Services Te Paerangi works with museums, iwi, and related organisations throughout New Zealand to enhance museum services and support them to become self-sustaining. Resources include volunteer training, management, community building, workshops, cultural development. www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapa/English/NationalServices.
Compares policies of all the main New Zealand political parties in a concise, straightforward summary. www.policy.net.nz.
Linda Graff And Associates Inc. is an international consulting firm that specializes in volunteering and nonprofit management. There are some interesting articles (under musings) and she sells books and tapes. www.lindagraff.ca.
Community Support Service Charitable Trust is an advocacy and support service for people who are trying to help themselves. Helps in dealings with government agencies; offers training workshops; rural clinics; helps with accommodation. Based in Auckland but operates from Taranaki upwards. www.communitysupportservice.zoomshare.com.
The website of the National Association of Media Educators of New Zealand (N.A.M.E.) is basic, but has resources, links and a newsletter. As it develops, NAME hope to include material and ideas that will help teachers in their classrooms, especially for NCEA. www.name.org.nz.
Planet FM is a not-for-profit community based radio station, broadcasting 143 programmes in 51 languages, for community groups and individuals with little other access to the airwaves. Access Community Radio Incorporated broadcasts as Planet FM, and provides facilities, advice, training and support for people making radio programmes. www.104.6planetfm.org.nz.
Traidmission exists to help those who are in a position to help others, to complement existing programs and add experience and expertise to those who wish to develop new projects. Fundraising programs, capacity building, complementing existing programs and helping to generate new ones are ways we know we can help you, help others. www.traidmission.com.
Child Connection is a non-profit organisation. The aim is to introduce touch and massage programmes into education and health systems in order to prevent child abuse, depression and suicide. Child Connection stands for the fundamental right of all children to closeness and belonging — an essential and basic factor for their life, health and wellbeing. Our programmes teach peace in the purest form. www.childconnection.org.nz.
ASSR brings together those interested in social science as well as social science researchers working in central, regional and local government, health authorities, private consultancies, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities. assr.rsnz.org.
Looking for support for you and your family or community? The 211 Directory lists over 6,000 organisations who can help you. As a community or government organisation you will find the 211 website useful when you want to refer clients, or if you would like to give them more information about an issue. www.211.govt.nz.
The New Zealand Spinal Trust, with assistance from ACC, has developed this online funding resource to provide a single place which details all the support funding that is available to help people with a disability return to work. This is an exciting and extremely convenient new tool for people with disabilities, their families, employers and health care and rehabilitation providers and it is intended to have nationwide usage. www.funding.org.nz.
CHAI is the national umbrella organisation for the not-for-profit community housing sector. Established in 2004, we promote and advocate for community housing at the local and national level. communityhousing.org.nz.
Due to its location and environment, New Zealand faces many potential disasters. An earthquake or a tsunami close to land could strike without warning. So it's vital that you prepare now. This website will show you how to get ready, so you'll get through. www.getthru.govt.nz.
The Gambling Helpline (freephone 0800 654 655) offers ongoing support, referral and information service for gambling problems. Services are provided to gamblers, family, friends, and the public. Their website has self-help resources, discussion forums and information. www.gamblingproblem.co.nz.
New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) is NZ's largest distributor of gaming machine (pokie) funding. NZCT provides grants to thousands of sporting and community groups — since 1998, it has distributed nearly $230 million. Their site has information on how to apply. See also www.nzct.org.nz.
Each year, 750 refugees are selected for resettlement here. RMS Refugee Resettlement (formerly Refugee and Migrant Service) helps them to resettle in their new communities, trains volunteers and contributes to refugee policy. See the case study at www.rms.org.nz.
Wellington 2020's purpose is to empower all the citizens of the Wellington region by information and communication technology. Wellington 2020 also manages the Wellington Community Net (WCN), a free website hosting service for community groups and organisations based in the Wellington region, a free website hosting service for community groups and organisations based in the Wellington region.
02.04.2008 - The following website link has been removed as the website is no longer active: www.2020.org.nz/newsite/showcat.php?ID=4
SAANZ promotes awareness of sleep apnoea and sleep disorders, provides accurate information and financial and emotional support. www.sleepapnoeanz.org.nz.
TalkLink is a Charitable Trust which provides assistive technology services for people who have communication difficulties, and others needing to know about assistive technology. www.talklink.org.nz.
Balance NZ Bipolar Network is a national network that helps members who had mood disorders — bipolar disorder or depression — to cope positively. It is the umbrella group for several regional support groups and links with affiliated autonomous regional groups. balance.org.nz.
Promotes recovery from eating disorders. Support group for sufferers of Anorexia or Bulimia or for family and friends. www.livingonempty.org.nz.
You'll find these and more links at: www.community.net.nz/Links.
How do you connect to the Internet? If you use your own computer, rather than a public connection, your choices are between dial-up and broadband.
A dial-up connection is one where you connect a modem to your phone line. While the modem's using the phone line you can't make voice calls or use the phone for anything else.
Dial-up connections are widely available, and usually relatively cheap. For example, Xtra offer a plan that gives you two hours per month for $5. Actrix offer a plan for 1 cent per minute, plus a service fee of $2 per month. (These are just examples, we're not actually recommending any particular service.)
The Internet is becoming more and more the home of large files, such as software updates (for example, crucial Microsoft Windows security updates), music, videos, photos, and even just large web pages.
While dial-up Internet is fairly cheap, and readily available, it is also very slow, time-consuming, and error prone. Every dial-up user knows the frustration of trying to get connected when the lines are busy, the hassles of keeping others from making phonecalls for sometimes quite long periods.
A broadband connection is always on. You don't have to wait while you connect to the Internet — you just write an email, click Send and it's instantly gone. Open your web browser and the page you want is right there. It doesn't tie up the phoneline, either — one person can make phonecalls while another surfs the web. Broadband is also fast enough for several people to surf at the same time, if the computers and broadband modem are connected using a simple network.
It's also capable of handling very large files: software updates, videos, photos and sound files all arrive in your computer in just a few minutes, rather than possibly hours (or even days).
The video stories at Silence Speaks are about 5 minutes long. A tiny 250 by 200 pixel movie weighs in at 3.2Mb. A fast modem will download that movie in about 10 minutes. A mid-range broadband connection will download it in between 30 seconds and two minutes.
These days there are many large files you may want to download: training videos, recordings from conferences, slideshows from events. A broadband connection makes it realistic to download such files.
Broadband plans start at about $30 per month. You usually have some one-off costs to buy the equipment and to get connected
Many broadband plans have a cap on the amount of data you can down- or up-load each month. This may be 1, 2, 10 Gigabytes or more. This is fine for normal web-surfing and emails. But if you download or stream (continually listen to or watch) high quality songs and videos, you can get through a month's allowance in a few hours.
Some plans then charge by megabyte for the rest of the month — which rapidly gets very expensive — whilst others cut you back to that slow old modem speed, with no extra charge. Be sure to choose a plan that suits the way you work.
With broadband your computer is connected to the Internet whenever it is switched on. This makes it easier for hackers to attack it. Make sure that you have up to date firewall, virus checker and security updates. This is especially important for PCs.
Anecdotal evidence tells us that once someone has moved to broadband they would never consider going back to a dial-up connection. If your organisation is still using dial-up, then it's time to at least consider broadband.
Consumer online have handy price comparisons for both dial-up and broadband.
[July 2006] Share your work, but still get credit. When businesses create publications and other works they usually copyright it all and charge lots of money to those who wish to use it. On the other hand, many community groups and individuals are motivated more by the desire to share information and resources, but would still like their expenditure of time and energy to be recognised. Such people can use a Creative Commons licence.
Creative Commons licences allow you to attach conditions to work you produce — for example, you may specify that others can build on your work, but they must acknowledge you as the original author, and may not charge for the new publication. Creative Commons licences are free, easy to obtain, and increasingly popular.
There are four key principles, summarised here:
Two excellent, clear and straightforward online comics explain the principles and how to choose the licence that works for you:
To obtain a Creative Commons licence you answer three or four easy questions in an online form. After clicking the Select a Licence button you will see a new web page giving you text and HTML code you can add to your work, for example:
This work is licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 license. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
If you own the rights to work you have created, then a Creative Commons licence may be appropriate for it. There are some useful guidelines and thinking points at the Creative Commons website. It's worth having a look, and thinking about how to release the resources you've created. And it's not just for print or websites; there are licences for music, video and photos too.
Past Website tips are all available on CommunityNet Aotearoa.
This new guide is on line for peer review. It's got lots of useful resources for building and strengthening organisational sustainability in voluntary and community groups. It is arranged in four areas: Economic, Human, Natural, and Review and Renewal. Check it out at www.community.net.nz/How-ToGuides/sustainable.
The Homepage design is being revised to make finding information easier, and to incorporate other suggestions from your feedback. We expect it to go live in July.
In June 2006 there were 26,687 visits. That's three times as many people as two years ago. In the last year, people have visited CommunityNet over a quarter of a million times.
In June, 62 new community items were published:
The most popular file download was the Managing Well Catalogue: 620 downloads.
Send in your free community advertisement at: www.community.net.nz/About/Submit.
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