May Newsletter Entry - Ros & Patrick Journals

Communications Officer • May 6, 2024

Ros Rice, Executive Officer May Journal Entry

Kia ora, so the staff here at CNA have been working very hard on planning for our October conference. I want to encourage you, your members, and your Boards to attend this event – it's going to be an incredible conference full of inspiring speakers, workshops, connection and actionable insights. Mark your calendars! We'd hate for you to miss out.   Some of the highlights include a… well, you’ll just have to wait a little longer until we reveal all.


We can say that we will have some politicians – who you ask? I can’t say… just yet.  But let’s just say we have some great questions to ask them. 


We can say that we have some international guests – who? Again, we can’t say… just yet.  But let’s just say in Seattle there’s someone who provides some serious blogging on NFP matters. 


Let’s just add in Sydney there’s someone at the front of taming AI as a tool for our use. The whole conference is action -packed with great speakers and workshop leaders ready to amaze, inspire, and reinvigorate you. 


The other big deal of course is the State of the Sector survey. This is a vitally important piece of research, and we really want to encourage you to take 20 minutes to fill it out. To sweeten the deal, you should know that we are giving our petrol vouchers to some lucky survey filler-outers. Everyone needs some help with their petrol these days. 


Preparing myself for the busy next few months, I am going on leave for 2 weeks. I hope you are all healthy and looking after yourselves for those long winter months. Times are tough right now, and I think I can say that Wellington is in a very low state. Shops closing and a large increase to our unemployment rate. Thinking of everyone who has lost their jobs and all those in financial hardship. You are on our minds. 


Take care,

Ngā mihi, 

Ros 


Surfing Tsunamis
Patrick Davies, Engagement Officers Hot Take.


As you can see we’re gearing up to release our Conference details and an stunningly amazing Early Bird Special. Part of CNA’s kaupapa is to keep things cheap so our smaller organisations aren’t left outside looking in.  Larger organisations can (usually) budget for conferences which is why we aim to provide excellent quality at our conference but not at high cost to your organisation. I mean, let’s be real – it’s always going to be a lot of money – but we do our best to keep the price as low as possible, while still presenting awesomeness.


Our Tick For Governance course is priced at $100 per person which we’re really proud of. We make the most minimal ‘profit’ off that which goes straight back into keeping the course going. We’ll also be gearing up our Tick for Governance Boards soon – so watch out for that! 


Access – that’s what it’s all about. We do our best to connect our Members and the Sector as well and as efficiently as we can. And that means absolutely everyone of our Collective. 


Collective Currents is designed to help us come together and utilise our collective mahi to create stronger waves in our sector and with government. How do we collaborate more, support more, what are the issues, opportunities and solutions we can explore together? 


Over the next 2 weeks we’ll be drip feeding you our conference content as we announce our speakers and workshops. Here’s some hints as to what to expect… we look forward to having you with us 

So lets come together and create really big waves – tsunamis of purpose we can all ride together. It can be frightening, but the ride and the view is worth it.



Ngā mihi,

Patrick Davies, Engagement Officer.

Share

By Community Networks May 18, 2026
CNA Chair Holly Snape reflects on 1 Sector, 6 Parties, the first 2026 election-focused political panel created specifically for Aotearoa’s community and voluntary sector, highlighting key discussions, sector representation, and why community voices must be part of the election conversation.
By Community Networks May 6, 2026
Kia ora koutou, Gather your team, pour a drink, and get ready for something a little different. This isn’t your average political panel. It’s a chance for Aotearoa’s community sector to tune in together, listen to the proposed direction, share ideas, and maybe even get a bit fired up about the future. Hosted by Community Networks Aotearoa, ‘1 Sector, 6 Parties Respond’ this live-streamed event brings politicians from across the spectrum into one (virtual) room to talk candidly about the realities facing charities, iwi organisations, and Not-for-Profits. With the next election on the horizon, what they say, and how they say it, matters. And the best part? You don’t have to watch it alone. Turn it into a mini event of your own. Set up a screen in the office, book out the community hall, or invite a few colleagues over. With drinks, nibbles, and ‘hellos’ kicking off from 4:30pm and the panel starting at 5:00pm, it’s perfectly timed to roll straight from work into something social and energising. Guided by political reporter Jehan Casinader, expect a lively, honest kōrero that goes beyond the usual talking points. He’s got the gumption, you bring the cynicism. As a CNA member it’s a great way to bring your organisation together to reconnect, network, and kōhumuhumu. It’s also a great way to remind your people why you’re our member and what they get from your membership with us. We’re always looking for great ways to help you provide excellent and meaningful support. Watching together adds a whole new layer. You’ll catch things you might miss on your own, spark conversations in the moment, and build a shared understanding of what’s ahead. It’s part watch party, part strategy session, with a side of healthy debate. Want to make it count? Try this: Make it a watch party: Bring shared kai (remember those dietary peeps too!), and a relaxed but curious vibe—think less lecture, more shared experience. Get ready to kōrero: Bring a pen and paper and make moments to react, question, or celebrate what you’re hearing. Capture the “aha” moments: Jot down ideas or quotes that hit home for your team; and what you might be able to put in your newsletter. Turn talk into action: After the stream, ask “So what do we do with this?” and pick one or two next steps. This is your chance to connect, reflect, and maybe even challenge what you think you know. So don’t just tune in, show up, together, and be part of the conversation shaping the road ahead. The election is closer than you think! Ngā mihi, Patrick Davies, Engagement Officer
By Community Networks March 31, 2026
Burning for a Cause: A Totally Scientific Analysis of the NZ Not-for-Profit Sector’s Relationship with Increasingly Stupid Levels of Spice
More Articles