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International Volunteer Day every 5 December is an opportunity to thank the many New Zealanders who contribute their time and skills to make our communities better places to live, says Community and Voluntary Sector and Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Mrs Goodhew marked International Volunteer Day 2012 by attending the Napier Connects World Café of local leaders, community groups and service providers.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is my pleasure to join you this afternoon.

I extend my very warmest greetings to representatives of registered charities, to members of the wider charitable sector, to officials – and to the wonderful speakers who are sharing their stories and knowledge with you as part of today’s forum for charities.

I hope you find this a valuable opportunity to listen and learn, and perhaps glean some new ideas, and also to share your own experiences and ask questions.

AXA Centre, Wellington

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Good evening everyone. Thank you for inviting me to join you in your end of year celebrations. It is a pleasure to be here today and to have the opportunity to address you as the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew announced today that Government will not proceed with a review of the Charities Act 2005 at the present time.

“The decision to not conduct a review for now reflects that the regulatory regime for charities is still bedding in and the continuing constrained fiscal environment,” said Mrs Goodhew.

In 2010 the Government announced its intention to undertake a first principles review of the Charities Act.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the opening of the new funding round for the Community Development Scheme. 

The scheme aims to support communities to build on local strengths and address local issues.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the recipients of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships for 2013.

The Trust helps New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas and bring back new insights and understanding that will enrich their community and, ultimately, New Zealand as a whole. 

“I congratulate all of this year’s Fellows and wish them successful and productive trips,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Without people to manage and coordinate the many volunteers who work in New Zealand every day, volunteering would be harder to do and less effective, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

Monday 5 November has been set aside to mark the work of managers of volunteers and to recognise their skills in coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment.

Applications for the Community Internship Programme are now being accepted, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

Applications close on Wednesday 26 September 2012. This will be the only funding round for the programme in 2012/13.

“This programme provides a chance for experienced professionals to take a break from their normal roles and help an organisation in their community to increase its capability, plan strategically and become more effective,” Mrs Goodhew says.

The five communities in the community-led development scheme are now ready to start implementing their community plans, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew announced today.

“The initial stages of the scheme involved each community deciding to take part, establishing a leadership group and agreeing on a community plan,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced a reallocation of funding from the Community Internship Programme to the Support for Volunteering Fund.

“Two of the Government’s priorities for the community and voluntary sector are to build, acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of volunteers and to work with the volunteering sector to lift the support for volunteers,” Mrs Goodhew said.

“This reallocation of funding is a step towards achieving those goals.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew announced today the members of the newly established Charities Registration Board.

From 1 July, the functions of the former Charities Commission will be undertaken by the Department of Internal Affairs.

“The new Charities Registration Board will be established on 1 July and will make independent decisions on applications from organisations that wish to register for charitable status,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Civil Defence Minister Chris Tremain and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew have responded to concerns raised by volunteers about the challenges they faced providing assistance during the Canterbury earthquakes.

A range of organisations attended a Civil Defence Volunteers Forum in Christchurch, including the Farmy Army, the Student Volunteer Army and the Grace Vineyard Church. Officials from government agencies also attended.

Civil Defence Minister Chris Tremain and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew have announced they will be hosting a volunteers’ forum in Christchurch on 25 June. This will enable volunteers to discuss the challenges they faced providing assistance during the earthquakes.

“Some volunteers have expressed concern about the way in which they were dealt with by authorities involved in emergency management,” says Mr Tremain.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging New Zealanders to celebrate the contribution volunteers make in their communities.

Volunteer Awareness Week is 17-23 June and celebrates all those people who make their communities better and stronger. The theme for Volunteer Awareness Week this year is ‘Building communities through volunteering’.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is my great pleasure to join you here this morning. Thank you to Cheryll and Volunteering Auckland for hosting this forum and for inviting me to talk to you.

Some of you may know that I have personal experience in the community and voluntary sector, having worked as a coordinator for the Timaru Safer Community Council and been a volunteer for Victim Support. So I know first-hand how vital this sector is and the benefits it produces for New Zealanders.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew congratulates Trev’s BBQ and Denniston Heritage Trust on being named joint supreme award winners at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

Mrs Goodhew attended the awards dinner at Terrace Downs, Canterbury, on Saturday night. The supreme winners were announced from 25 regional finalists. Homes of Hope received the runner-up award.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew encourages New Zealanders to celebrate Neighbours Day Aotearoa this weekend.

“People can participate by having a neighbourhood barbecue, a bake-off, or by stopping to chat with a neighbour. They can go to the community activities being held.  Local papers or council websites will list times and places for events,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.  It is my great pleasure to join you this afternoon.  Thank you the Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury for hosting this year’s conference.  I extend a warm welcome to my home town of Timaru and our beautiful region, to distinguished guests, visiting trustees, officials and the talented array of speakers.

The theme for today’s event ‘Celebrating our contribution’ is apt.  It speaks about your members’ willingness to share and show generosity to others.

Raising $2 million in donations for charities and communities is no small task. In fact, it’s a great achievement. 

I know that many of your members here in Christchurch, relatives and friends, will have been deeply affected by the earthquake.  I recognise that nationally, ANZ has done a great deal to help and support those who are in need.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the recipients of the 2012 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships.

Fellows are granted up to 80 per cent of travel costs and can spend between three weeks and three months overseas. The average value of the grants awarded is $5000, and the Trust will provide a total of $75,000 to 15 people.