Roundups with Ros - A Message from Me!

Ros Rice • February 10, 2025

Reflections on My Recovery and Looking Ahead to 2025

Kia ora everyone! I am very happy to let you know that I have returned to work following my extended medical leave. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the support and understanding I have received from CNA members and of course the incredibly supportive CNA Board.

I was reading the latest Listener about women and how many women are not diagnosed with heart problems for many reasons but probably because women present with heart symptoms differently from men, and the issue is just not picked up in time.  How lucky am I? The article says - “Coronary artery disease is the most common heart problem and the N0 1 killer of women globally”.  Another mind-boggling statement is “a large 2003 US study of women, found that for 69% of those who’d died from heart disease, their first symptom was death.”  So, I am an incredibly lucky statistic, especially since I not only had a genetic malformation of my aorta which had never been picked up but also symptoms which I never took seriously because I thought I was just ‘unfit’ or I had too much for lunch, that indicated severe heart disease.  So, thank you for giving me the support and time to heal and regain my health.  I was so very sick.  I have attached a photo of me on my first day back at work, and you will see clearly one of my 3 large scars.  I am proud of it, and I am not going to hide it under button up tops or polo necks.  It is me in 2025 and is a symbol of my survival.  It will look better over time, but I hope you don’t mind.

Now to work! CNA is looking ahead to 2025. And we must emphasise the importance of our strategic planning as CNA continues to grow and evolve. We want to strengthen what we have already been doing, and grow the people and organisations we are representing. Now it is more important than ever that we try to get the voice of Non-Profit groups heard by politicians. A new Government often has a huge learning cure to climb, and we want to be there to help.

As well as that we are looking at the map of New Zealand and saying, “where are the gaps?” Where are places where groups do not have access to their peers (very important) or to be heard in the corridors of power. Where are staff and volunteers isolated from everyone else, where we can hold out the hand of friendship and help?

We did some huge projects in 2024. From a review of how the Banking system works for NGOs to the State of the Sector survey to training in Governance, our focus on research, training and support will not change. We will be reviewing what we can do for you this year. We hope you will all focus on steps for growth and resilience. It’s a tough world with the rising cost of living, and many people needing our help. If you need to talk to us, call. Let’s share our efforts and our successes and remember we as your trusted partner can offer tools, guidance and solidarity towards building resilient communities and organisations. Just ask.

Finally can we encourage all of you to become involved with us. Reach out to us with ideas, feedback, or simply to chat while we have a cuppa. For example, this year’s conference was fantastic. We know many of you couldn’t make it to Wellington, but 2025 we will hold the one-day biennial Membership Hui. It will also be the celebration of 50 years existence of CNA / NZCOSS. Pop some $s in your budget this year so you can afford early cheap flights, and come up to meet with us. We would love to spend some time with you!

Ros Rice

Executive Officer, CNA

eo@communitynetworksaotearoa.org.nz

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