Kia ora koutou
With two weeks into the role of Interim Head of Centre, reading this issue of The Dial has been a useful introduction to the current work of the CSI team.
In this issue there are updates on the National Strategy for Community Governance, the Kia Whiti Tonu workshops, our latest resources, and news from around our wider community.
I look forward to meeting many of our partners and clients over the coming weeks.
Ngā mihi nui
Karinia Lee, Interim Head of Centre, Centre for Social Impact
Community governance - action plan progress
Update on the National Strategy for Community Governance, developed with support from the Community Trusts NZ and Steering Committee
Video resources on effective chairing
The production of resources to grow community governance capability is underway. In April, four videos designed to support Chairs in their governance roles were released, with around 320 registered for the launch. The content for these videos was created with the input of more than 30 experienced board chairs, based on their experiences about what they wished they knew when they got their first chair role.
Part of the governance project’s initiative to empower the Chairs Co-learning Community, the videos cover a range of topics; Back to Basics, Board Dynamics, Getting Strategic and a Focus on Process. To access the videos please click here.
Mentoring programme
Development of the governance mentoring initiative will start in June with a pilot by Volunteer Kāpiti in partnership with the Mentoring Foundation. The Community Governance Mentoring Programme will run for six months. Ten mentors will work with ten people in governance roles in the Kāpiti community to help them lift their governance leadership skills and capability. The programme is being offered free. If you are currently on the governing board/committee of a Kāpiti community/not-for-profit group and would like to join the mentoring programme, more information and registration details are available here. The programme starts on the 15th of June 2021.
The pilot will inform the development of a national mentoring programme that will be on offer in other regions from January 2022. If you are interested in registering for the larger scale programme please email Programme Manager Rose.Hiha-Agnew@csinz.org
Kia Whiti Tonu
The 2021 series of these free online capability building programmes for the community and voluntary sector, run by CSI and funded by Foundation North, started again in March. The first workshops covered wellbeing, with The Whare of Hauora run by CSI associate Tuihana Ohia; digital technology with Think and Act Digital run by John Lau; and media with Working with the Media run by CSI associate Suzanne McNicol. If you missed the workshops, video recordings and associated resources from each session are available here.
The next workshop is on Tuesday 1st June 2021, and will run from 10.00am-11.30am. Governance is the topic of this session, with the focus being on What is Keeping you Awake at Night? This will be an interactive panel discussion presented by CSI associate Judy Whiteman with panelists Tania Jones and Kevin Haunui. This is a great opportunity to draw on the panelists' expertise to address your questions about governance. You can register for the workshop here.
Thriving Rangatahi - data driven perspectives to contribute to a more equitable Aotearoa
The Vodafone Foundation has a vision of “an Aotearoa New Zealand where all young people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.” To inform their work, the Foundation worked in partnership with CSI, Nicholson Consulting and Deloitte to conduct an extensive literature review, engage with community practitioners around Aotearoa, and bring together a broad collection of government datasets. The result; Thriving Rangatahi – data-driven perspectives to contribute to a more equitable Aotearoa paints a rich picture of the lives of young New Zealanders, and how advantage and disadvantage is being experienced by tamariki and rangatahi in different regions. The paper also covers the protective factors that are required for rangatahi to live great lives.
In an op-ed for Newsroom, Vodafone NZ Foundation head Lani Evans outlines the challenge to us all “to construct a society that removes barriers, provides support for those who are struggling and gives us all an equal shot at living a good life” and puts access to an adequate income as central to achieving the goal of a more equitable Aotearoa.
For information on the launch, read Lani’s post on LinkedIn. CSI’s initial report for Vodafone Foundation on protective and risk factors can be accessed here.
Regenerative environment - thoughts from a sustainable business perspective
Our latest video features Rachel Brown ONZM, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network. Rachel reflects on the disruption of COVID-19, the 'breath of time' we gave the planet as communities internationally locked down, what we learnt, and what the implications of this learning are for us as we move into the post COVID-19 era.
In her video, Rachel refers to another thoughtful reflection on this time, a video from Visit Auckland; Papatūānuku (our earth mother) is Breathing. This is a great companion piece to Rachel’s. To view this click here.
Frameworks for understanding and demonstrating impact
Want to ‘know and show’ the difference your organisation is making for your community? CSI associate Rachael Trotman suggests two simple frameworks for community groups and organisations to use to help them understand and demonstrate social impact. Rachael introduces the key concepts in this video, and links to a PowerPoint presentation on the frameworks.
COVID-19 response funding
Our report on government and philanthropic funding support available for COVID-19 response was updated in April. Please email info@csinz.org if you know of additional funding sources not currently listed.
From our community
TSB Community Trust is now Toi Foundation
Congratulations to TSB Community Trust on a brand-new identity. The renaming of the trust as Toi Foundation, supported by the strapline, a thriving, inclusive and equitable Taranaki follows the release in 2020 of a new strategic framework. This will see Toi Foundation continue to support Taranaki in a traditional, philanthropic way, while also looking to the future with a focus on strategic and innovative granting and impact investing to achieve greater long-term and transformational benefits.
What’s behind the name? “Toi has two meanings – ‘origin and source’, and ‘tip or summit’. Both the name, Toi Foundation, and the logo design, reflect our organisation’s aspirational vision for Taranaki – our people (coming together), our land and prominent landmarks, our history, culture and the importance of partnership – with our subsidiaries, other stakeholders and ultimately, our community.”
Foundation North and EECA - a 15 year partnership for warmer Kiwi homes
Foundation North is celebrating a 15-year relationship with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) which has seen Foundation North contributing over $25 million to home insulation projects since 2005. This has enabled the insulation of 12,653 homes in Tai Tokerau and 6893 in South Auckland. Most recently a grant of $1 million added to EECA’s $18 million investment enabling 6500 homes to be made warmer and healthier across Auckland and Northland. For an insight into the difference insulation can make, meet Ihumātao resident Mavis Roberts in this video.
Impact Investment in action - insights from the field in Aotearoa
Philanthropy New Zealand recently released a research report Impact Investment in Action. This research “offers a range of learning and perspectives from early participants in four impact investments relating to: Soul Capital (The Awhi Fund), Impact Enterprise Fund, New Zealand Housing Foundation, and Te Pai Roa Tika o Te Taitokerau (which is still in the establishment phase but offers significant learning).” The report provides valuable insights from early investors into this emerging area of interest for philanthropics.
Aotearoa Pledge
Community Finance, an impact investment platform that brings together investors with community housing providers to build affordable homes, recently launched The Aotearoa Pledge. The pledge is a bold vision to raise $100 million in 2021 to tackle New Zealand’s housing shortage. Investors include ANZ Bank, Waikato’s WEL Energy Trust, Generate KiwiSaver, Pathfinder Asset Management, Forsyth Barr and the Lindsay and Claire charitable foundations.
Good practice guidelines for investing in Ngā Toi - arts, culture and creativity
Funders who wish to contribute to the social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing of New Zealanders should consider investment into ngā toi - creativity, culture and the arts - says Auckland's regional arts trust, Te Taumata Toi-a-iwi. The trust, with support from Creative New Zealand, has developed good practice guidelines for funders. The guidelines outline how the arts offer opportunities to achieve wellbeing outcomes for individuals, families, whānau and the wider community, and key considerations for funders to assist their decision making. A companion guide to ngā toi investment outcomes is also available.