Stephen Blyth
Project Manager
Ministry of Social Development

Dear Stephen

Thank you for your letter of 29 July enclosing the draft paper on building capacity in the community and voluntary sector and the opportunity to comment on the paper. There is one main area of comment we would wish to make and that is that the paper does not adequately reflect the level of services and assistance which are already in place and the importance of utilising these services more effectively before developing new services. We note the statement on page 20, “Building on and strengthening organisations, projects and services that already provide capacity building support is something that many people emphasised.” We would agree with this statement, but the earlier sections of the paper do not adequately acknowledge the range and level of services which are available. Section 3 on available resources talks about what is available and provides a brief summation of this. However comments elsewhere in the report give the impression that most of what is available is information in print or online and that little is available in form of face-to-face advice and support.

That may reflect what was reported by some of those who provided comment, but it is not an accurate portrayal of the services which are provided. For example, the regional volunteer centres as well as other national and regional organisations provide a range of hands-on, face- to-face training, advice and support services. The real problem would appear to be those said they needed help are not aware of what is available. It is important therefore that before new services are developed, there is action to ensure existing services are made better known and more accessible. This point should be reflected in the report to a much greater extent. Likewise the current level of Government activity and funding should also be acknowledged and reviewed before new Government initiatives are developed. For instance there is the existing network of community advisors provided through the Department of Internal Affairs Local Government and Community Branch. Another example would be in the information service on employment and OSH matters provided by the Department of Labour. This includes direct phone advisory services as well as print and website material. The OSH information includes guidelines specifically related to volunteers.

Level 7, 75 Ghuznee Street
PO Box 24 526, Manners Street, Wellington
Tel: (04) 384 3636
Fax: (04) 384 3636
Email: office@volunteeringnz.org.nz
Website: www.volunteeringnz.org.nz

We would strongly endorse the stated goal in the document of building on existing resources both in the voluntary sector and within government. It needs however to be made more prominent and clearer in the document. It is rather hidden at present. We note in Section 4.1, that some community organisations were concerned that training/advisory programmes offered by agencies such as regional employers associations were not tailored to the non-for-profit sector. The writer would observe from experience of attending many courses provided by one of these organisations that this is not necessarily the case. The information and advice provided is based on general principles of good practice which would be applicable in a not-for-profit sector. These organisations may also offer training programmes at considerably reduced rates due to government funding support for training in subjects considered to be of priority such as good health and safety practices.

Section 3 on available resources makes particular reference to the Unitech Diploma and Not-for-Profit Management. We would note that Whitireia Polytechnic has introduced a similar programme at its Wellington and Porirua Campuses.

We look forward to publication of the final report and being involved in implementation of the areas for future work identified in the paper.

Yours sincerely
Tim Burns
Executive Director

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