April Newsletter Entry - Ros & Patrick Journals

Kia ora,   Thanks for tuning in to our newsletter this month. 

We are really in the swing of things with planning our biennial conference for October (24th - 25th of October 2024 at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor in Wellington). I just want to start by saying please register early (get the early bird), and please book your flight early if you are coming here for this conference (it will save you lots of money!)  We will be sending options for places to stay to you very soon. 

It’s going to be an incredible conference.  We have the amazing Vu Le beaming in from Seattle, and the charismatic Julian Moore connecting with us from Australia.  We have already had some incredible speakers and workshop presenters confirm with us… but all that later. 

In the meantime, how are you?  There are so many things happening to our communities at the moment. In Wellington there are many anxious people waiting to hear about their projects and programmes, or even if they will continue to have a job. Last week I had a meeting with the Hon Louise Upston.  She is an intelligent woman who really listens, and it was a constructive meeting. Yes, things are going to get tough, but we knew that.  This meeting I was accompanied by Nikki Hurst, CEO of the NZ Council of Christian Social Services and Nicola Nation CEO of the Akina Foundation. I really like going to meetings with others working in and for the sector -- together I believe we can have broader conversations with Politicians that really make an impact. 

It's a busy old time and we are all thinking about the upcoming Budget.  Cross fingers that we can cope with the decisions that come out of that.  We are here thinking of you all. 

Wishing you all the best this month, 

Ngā mihi, 

Ros 

Fantastic Feats & Where to Find Them
Patrick Davies, Engagement Officers Hot Take.

Ever wonder why filling out those little forms can make a big difference? Well, buckle up because we're about to dive into the wonderful world of surveys and why they're the unsung heroes of advocacy! 

Picture this: you're sipping your morning coffee, scrolling through your inbox, and there it is—another survey invitation. Sure, it might seem like a small task, but trust me, it packs a punch! Your opinions, your experiences—they're like golden nuggets of insight that can shape the future of not-for-profits everywhere. Think about it. When we crunch those numbers and analyse your feedback, we're not just collecting data. We're uncovering stories, painting pictures, and building bridges between people and causes. With each survey filled, we're one step closer to understanding the needs of our communities and making a real, tangible difference. 

And hey, let's not forget the power of numbers! When armed with facts and figures, we empower the sector to become unstoppable advocates. We can confidently walk into boardrooms, offices; shake up policies, and champion the causes that truly matter. So, the next time you're tempted to hit delete on that survey invite, remember: you're not just filling out a form, you're fuelling a movement! 

"Many drops make a bucket, many buckets make a pond." 

Your contribution, no matter how small, ripples out and creates waves of change. Which is one of the reasons we want our State of the Sector survey out there in wide Aotearoa-world as much as possible. 

So, let's keep those surveys coming and keep making waves together. Your voice matters more than you know!