PANUI Issue #65, August 2007

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PANUI Issue #65, August 2007.

The CommunityNet Aotearoa monthly newsletter.

"News and views on community networking throughout Aotearoa."

Contents.

  1. Panui News
  2. Community News
  3. New Community Sites
  4. CommunityNet Events: Events coming up soon.
  5. CommunityNet Tip: Discover the Social Web.
  6. Web Tip of the Month: Spread your message with online tools.
  7. What's Hot on CommunityNet

Panui News

Community News

Applications Open for Community Internship Programme

Applications are now being accepted for the 2007/08 Community Internship Programme (CIP). The Programme, which is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs Local Government and Community Branch, involves a person temporarily leaving their permanent workplace to become an intern for a community organisation for a period of up to 6 months. The aim is that all involved benefit from the arrangement. The interns learn and grow in a new environment, and the host community organisation is exposed to new, otherwise inaccessible, skills and knowledge, leaving the organisation stronger and more effective as a result.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/community-internship-programme.htm

New Ministry of Health Structure Commenced.

A new Ministry of Health structure took effect on 1 July, along with new ways of working across the organisation and with the sector. The changes to the internal structure and ways of working are being made to ensure the Ministry is well placed within the current health setting to build on past successes and to build a healthier future for all New Zealanders.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/new-ministry-of-health-structure.htm

Tobacco Use Survey released.

The New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey (NZTUS) is the first nationally representative survey of tobacco use to be conducted in New Zealand. It is comprehensive, providing accurate and robust estimates of prevalence and smoking behaviour.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/tobacco-use-survey.htm

NEAC releases report on ethical values for a pandemic.

The National Ethics Advisory Committee has released its report on ethical values for a pandemic “Getting Through Together”. NEAC hopes that a wide range of people, including health professionals, planners, policy makers and members of the public and business community, can use Getting Through Together as they plan for, and think about, their potential response to a pandemic.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/neac-report-ethical-values-for-a-pandemic.htm

Nominations open for New Year Honours.

The NZ Royal Honours System is one way for New Zealand to say thanks and well done to those who have served and those who have achieved. Awards are given for service to the community or nation, and on merit and achievement, in whatever field, going beyond the normal requirements of duty or office.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/nominations-for-new-year-honours.htm

Call for Save the Children Small Grants Fund applications.

Save the Children invites funding applications that advance the rights of New Zealand children. The projects must focus on child participation, protection and poverty. Save the Children encourages that the project ideas be identified, developed and implemented by or with children and young people as appropriate.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/call-for-small-grants-fund-applications.htm

Nominations open for DHB October elections.

Anyone interested in standing for this year's District Health Board (DHB) elections should start thinking about it now. Nominations for the October DHB elections open on Friday 27 July, and close at midday on Friday 24 August.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/dhb-october-election-nominations-open.htm

Feedback sought on Aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology.

This consultation paper developed by the Advisory Group on Assisted Reproductive Technology outlines the use of a range of reproductive technologies in New Zealand and canvasses the public’s views.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/aspects-of-assisted-reproductive-technology.htm

Healthy Eating - Healthy Action food classification system published.

The Food and Beverage Classification System is a way of classifying foods and beverages that are recommended for sale or provision at schools and early childhood education (ECE) services. The 3-tiered system has been designed specifically for foods and beverages children commonly consume in the education setting.

www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/healthy-eating-healthy-action-classification-system.htm

Informal Caregivers Literature Review released.

The review explains the growing interest in informal caregivers by researchers and policy makers. It outlines the policy regime in New Zealand and other countries and presents research on the impacts of care-giving on health, employment, finances and social life. International research on support informal caregivers have found helpful are listed.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/informal-caregivers-literature-review.htm

Community Partnership Fund successful applicants announced.

64 innovative information and communication technology (ICT) projects have received over $10 million in funding from the second round of the Government’s Digital Strategy Community Partnership Fund. The Community Partnership Fund (CPF) is part of the government-wide Digital Strategy. The Strategy focuses on connecting and educating people in geographically isolated or disadvantaged communities about ICT.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/community-partnership-fund-successful-applicants.htm

Development of a national Carers’ Strategy.

The Ministry of Social Development and the Carers' Alliance, a network of 43 non-government organisations, are working together to improve support for family and other informal carers through the development of a national Carers' Strategy. Widespread feedback is being sought from carers, the people they support and the wider community to identify the immediate priorities for change that will most improve the quality of life of carers.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/national-carers-strategy.htm

Maori Language Interface Packs available for Microsoft Windows XP and Office.

The 2005 World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WiPCE) set an appropriate stage for the launch of reo Maori Language Interface Packs for Microsoft® Windows XP® and Microsoft® Office applications in November 2005. Language Interface Packs (LIPs) are free software downloads that provide computer users with the ability to adapt their copy of Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office Standard applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) to display many commonly used features in reo Maori.

http://www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news/national/maori-language-packs.htm

Latest community news, events, jobs and ads are online at:
www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/news.

New Community Links

Ngunguru Sandspit Protection Society Inc.

The society's mission is to support protection of the natural, cultural and historic values of Ngunguru sandspit so it is enjoyed, valued and cherished now and by future generations.

http://ncag.org.nz

Support Options.

Support Options helps you find the support that best meets your needs. We aim to provide a comprehensive guide to disability support services funded by the Disability Services Directorate of the Ministry of Health in the Auckland and Northland regions.

http://www.supportoptions.co.nz

Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust.

The Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust manages the Otago Centrail Rail Trail - the year-round cycling and walking trail that is a public reserve owned by the people of New Zealand. The website is a non-profit project to help enhance the Rail Trail experience.

http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz

Coffeegroup.org.

From pregnancy to parenting, coffeegroup.org has information, advice, and discussion forums for mothers and families.

http://www.coffeegroup.org

Your For Jobs.

A job search website featuring all forms of employment and self-employment opportunities in New Zealand. A user friendly site for all your job search needs.

http://www.yourforjobs.co.nz

Realwomen.

An online community for plus-size women, championing self and size acceptance, promoting healthy living and supporting weight-loss and other related matters with regular articles and a popular forum.

http://www.realwomen.co.nz

Methodist Social Services.

Methodist Social Services is a Palmerston North-based organisation that provides: a counselling service, family education programmes, adult personal development programmes, professional development workshops, the Palmerston North foodbank, and quality second-hand goods through two shops 'Wesley Vintage' and 'Highbury House'.

http://methodistsocialservices.org.nz

StarJam.

StarJam is an organisation which creates opportunities for young people with disabilities to experience joy in their hearts and the belief that anything is possible. The young people, known as Jammers, realise this through participating in unique kinds of performance activities and stage productions.

http://www.starjam.org

Birthright New Zealand Inc.

A national organisation with 16 member societies throughout NZ offering care and support for single parent families.

http://www.birthright.org.nz

Ngai Tai and Ngati Tai Iwi.

The whanau website for Ngai Tai and Ngati Tai Iwi and Hapu of Tamaki Makaurau and Hauraki, centred at Te Umupuia Marae.

http://www.ngaitai.maori.nz

Community TV Limited.

Community TV is an internet-based community television network with 100% NZ content and a focus on news and features from our communities - local, ethnic, iwi, religious, arts, sport, business and many others. This free-to-view site provides viewers with opportunities for interactive engagement through comments, forums and blogs.

http://www.communitytv.co.nz

You'll find these and more links at:
www.community.net.nz/links.

CommunityNet Events: Events coming up soon

Events

These Events are coming up in the next few weeks. Find details at:
www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/events.

  • Community and Voluntary Sector research forum, Wellington.
  • Disabled Persons' Assembly Annual General Meeting, Wellington.
  • Allergy New Zealand National Conference, Auckland.
  • Career Framework consultation meetings, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin.
  • Cultural Perspective Lunchtime Series 2007, North Shore City.
  • Cars and Congestion - Defining the Alternatives, Auckland.
  • Love Yourself Empower Your Soul, Christchurch.
  • Southland Mental Health Consumer Forum, Invercargill.
  • Geographic Information Systems and Sustainability Course, Auckland.
  • Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, Auckland.
  • Iyengar yoga, Christchurch.

Training

These Training events are coming up in the next few weeks. Find details at:
www.community.net.nz/communitycentre/training.

  • Law in our Communities Education Programme, Auckland.
  • Supervising and Supporting Volunteers, Hamilton.
  • Legal Issues for Community Groups Workshop, Auckland.
  • Developing Strengths-Based Organisations, Palmerston North.
  • Writing Therapy and Online Applications, Palmerston North.
  • Governance - a guide for Board Members of Not-For-Profits, Christchurch.
  • Volunteering Waikato Training Courses, Hamilton.

CommunityNet tip: Discover the Social Web.

The Internet has utterly changed in the last couple of years, as the primary emphasis moves from storing and sharing information to connecting people. Older uses of the Internet such as Gopher, Usenet newsgroups and IRC are hiding away in dusty corners; email is becoming less useful by the day as spammers drown out legitimate messages and spam prevention techniques interfere with personal and business communications.

Newer tools and techniques are on the rise. Driving their growth is people's desire to connect with friends, family and strangers. What's more the power of each individual tool is often enhanced by combining it with other tools, knitting together a strong fabric of connections and community.

Many modern services incorporate features that allow you to rank items, add comments, add items to your favourites, share items with friends via email or blogs, add items to your (shared) bookmarking system, or place items within a context of geographical or social networks.

YouTube videos are a good example: watch a video online and then add it to your list of favorites and your playlists, add a comment, click a link to share the video with others via email, Digg, del.icio.us, Furl, reddit or StumbleUpon, or by embedding it on your own web page (such as a blog). Use Google Maps to find YouTube videos from specific locations.

It's all about *connecting* people in ways that go far beyond the original web concept of linking one file to another. Note: all these services tend to reflect the real world, in that some content is entertaining, high quality and family friendly, while other content is unpleasant, explicit or just trivial.

You should spend some time to explore some of these tools:

Flickr

YouTube

Twitter

Digg

Del.icio.us

Google Maps

Furl

Reddit

StumbleUpon

On YouTube start with this 2 minute video from Amnesty International: Signature --- Winner of the Gold Lion at the Cannes Lions 2007. Your signature is more powerful than you think.

Panui tip contributed by Miraz Jordan, http://mactips.info/

Website tip: Spread your message with online tools.

Q: What do Flickr, email, blogs, YouTube and phonecalls have in common? A: Oxfam recently combined all these tools together in a successful orchestrated campaign on behalf of Ethiopian coffee farmers for a fair deal in their trading.

What it was about.

Ethiopia wanted to copyright its gourmet coffee names. Ethiopian coffee farmers often collect as little as 10 percent of the profits from these coffees. Copyrighting the names could potentially increase income for the farmers by about US$88 million a year. Oxfam ran a successful campaign to pressure Starbucks to allow this to happen.

What Oxfam America did.

Oxfam emailed supporters, asking some to email and others to call Starbucks. Then Oxfam filmed a protest and uploaded the video to YouTube. Some Ethiopian bloggers embedded the YouTube video on their blogs. Oxfam emailed supporters asking them to comment on the video. Oxfam asked supporters to take photos of themselves with signs pledging support to Ethiopian farmers and to upload those photos to Flickr.

In brief, Oxfam combined email, phonecalls, blogs, YouTube and Flickr, with their associated RSS feeds, tagging, comments, ratings and sharing features, to connect the interested parties with one another and to engage them in a successful campaign.

Tagging, sharing and comments.

Flickr and YouTube not only make it possible but *encourage* visitors to comment on, rate and share the photos and movies they see. Videos and photos can be 'tagged' with keywords such as 'oxfam', 'ethiopia', and 'coffee'. The tags make the photos and videos easy to find, and make it easy to share the address with interested parties, or in publicity.

Comments and ratings help 'engage' viewers, who are also given tools to easily share what they're seeing. They enable word of mouth --- one of the most powerful ways of spreading a message.

Use these free tools.

How can you start to use these tools in your organisation? Add an item to the agenda for your next committee meeting to view the YouTube videos and Flickr photos linked from this Tip and to discuss the Oxfam campaign. Are there any lessons here that could aid your organisation?

Sources.

http://blog.techsoup.org/node/23

http://greenlagirl.com/2006/12/15/ethiopia-vs-starbucks-a-collection

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/campaigns/coffee/starbucks

http://www.netsquared.org/blog/britt-bravo/oxfam-uses-flickr-to-advocate-for-ethiopian-coffee-famers

More information.

Oxfam America YouTube channel

Video thank you from Oxfam and Ethiopian coffee farmers

Flickr petition photos

Black Gold documentary movie

Ethiopian Portal

Panui tip contributed by Miraz Jordan, http://mactips.info/

Past Website tips are all available on CommunityNet Aotearoa.

What's Hot on CommunityNet

New How-To Guide: Human Resources

There is a brand new CommunityNet How-to-Guide on Human Resources. The guide has been developed to help community organisations manage their most important resource: their people. It features useful information, resources, and links so community and not-for-profit organisations can develop, maintain, and improve their human resource management practices.

http://www.community.net.nz/how-toguides/Human+Resources+Guide/default.htm

Web statistics.

In June 2007 there were there were 29,613 visits (May: 35,784).

Last month, 55 new community items were published.

  • 13 news articles.
  • 10 links to new websites.
  • 12 jobs advertised.
  • 11 events advertised.
  • 09 training courses or resources.

Send in your free community notice or advertisement at:

www.community.net.nz/about/submit.

File downloads.

There were 6,162 files downloaded (May: 6,690). The most popular file download in June was the ‘Sample charitable trust deed and guide to its clauses’ with 241 downloads: in May this was the Planning section of the Community Resource Kit: 359 downloads.

Find CommunityNet statistics at:
www.community.net.nz/about/website/statistics.htm.

Remember: please forward the complete Panui to others who'll find it useful.

Nick Stanley, Web Content Writer.

Notes

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