Monday 10 July 2017

Report from 2017 FORUM on June 29

Celebrating Matariki and the Voices of the Third Sector

and
making connections for us and our children after us
In spite of several apologies, due to several major events coinciding with the Forum, 66 people gathered to reflect together on our Third Sector combined successes and challenges, and in the achieving of links between the four well-beings (economic, social, environmental and cultural).
After sharing kai, we heard four wonderful presentations from each of these four well-beings presenters, summarising themes emerging from the Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) involved in OVTRK.
Here, with an introduction of the presenters, are the links to those:

ENVIRONMENT
Colleen Philip is a Christchurch East resident, a Friend of ECO, a founding trustee of the Waimakariri Environment and Recreation Trust and Chairperson of the North Canterbury branch of Forest & Bird. She ran a campaign to have kea named NZ Bird of the Year in 2016. She emphasised that this speech reflects her personal views; that she is not speaking on behalf of any organisation. She shares her passion for our natural heritage, her concern at all we risk with allowing the current crisis in nature in NZ, and some of the solutions being proposed from within the environment sector.
SOCIAL
As Kaituiora of the Social Equity & Wellbeing Network (formerly COSS Chch) Sharon Torstonson was able to draw on a rich field of experience and wisdom that the social services third sector groups hold.
CULTURAL
Maria Fresia explores the inclusion of CALD (Culturally and Linguistic Diverse) communities in our region and their right to equal access to information, communication, and services through the lenses of CLING.
CLING (Community Language Information Network Group) was formed in 2011 and includes members from the third sector, local and central government, and health sector. Over the years the group has developed a strong, productive and mutually satisfying collaborative approach.
ECONOMIC
Margaret Jefferies is Chair of Project Lyttleton and a board member of Living Economies. To this work she brings her strengths of visioning; dreaming new possibilities, inspiring, and welcoming people into these futures: and manifesting, through a values base, consequent systems into our communities e.g. Time-Banking.
Following the presentations, discussion at 9 tables produced much food for thought. A list of points was recorded:
The One Voice Te Reo Kotahi (OVTRK) Organising Group will be following up the Forum with the Greater Christchurch Partnership Group. A particular focus will be on how the statutory bodies can show that they value Third Sector voices; and in what way those can be part of deliberations on Strategy and Policy for Greater Christchurch. Noting the limitations of the market approach to planning, OVTRK is particularly interested in finding out how we can be assisted to develop Third Sector valuation methodologies, oversee our own performance, and be involved in Strategy and Policy.
Helen Leahy from Te Putahitanga spoke briefly of the Whanau Ora Outcomes that may be a useful model:
Let’s keep in touch!!
And do remember that people involved in Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) that are committed to the kaupapa of One Voice Te Reo Kotahi can serve on the Organising Group: email tsovoices@gmail.com.