NGO Sector Has Formal Voice

The NGO sector now has a formal voice in the rebuild plan for Christchurch. CERA has recently created a delegate position for the panNGO voice on the Community Wellbeing Planning Group.

This position recognises the work NGOs are doing post-quake supporting the well-being of greater Christchurch people to recover and rebuild their lives. Reflecting Treaty relationships, the position will be filled by Wendy Dallas-Katoa (tangata whenua) and Sara Epperson (tangata Tiriti). Both Wendy and Sara bring a wide range of skills and experience to the panNGO delegate role. They are looking forward to working in partnership and bringing voices from the NGO sector to the CWPG.

The Delegate was appointed by a Support Panel established to fill the role. This panNGO Support Panel is made up of representatives from five NGO networks: Council of Social Services (COSS), Social Services Providers Aotearoa (SSPA), youth networks, older persons’ networks, and One Voice Te Reo Kotahi (OVTRK).

An open panNGO forum will be held on Monday 11th March from 9am to 11am at the YMCA on Cashel Street. During the forum, Wendy and Sara will report back to the sector on their first meeting with the CERA CWPG.

OVTRK is an NGO network that was established post-quake to provide voices from the NGO sector into the rebuild of Christchurch. Any NGO can register with the OVTRK network at http://onevoicetereokotahi.blogspot.co.nz
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