Community workshop series a success

More than 140 people from 70 community groups have benefited from a recent series of workshops for knowledge gaining and skills training.

Twelve workshops were offered to volunteer groups and non-profit organisations in the Community Capacity Building Programme run by Horowhenua District Council.

They included Information Privacy, Designing Posters In-House, Grants and Funding,
First Aid, Pasifika Talanoa Training, Governance and Finance for Non-Profits, Speaking with Impact, Organisational Code of Ethics, Emergency Management Planning and The Treaty of Waitangi.

The second series of workshops starts in July.

Horowhenua Deputy Mayor Garry Good says the programme allows Council to provide learning opportunities which can be of real value to community groups.

“The impact of offering training, as well as avenues of financial support, has spoken for itself," he said.

"Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. More than 50 people have shared their appreciation for the workshops and we even received a Draft Annual Plan submission that congratulated the scheme."

The last workshop on May 12 was a full-day's training on the Treaty of Waitangi, hosted at Matau Marae, where a copy of the treaty, signed by Matau Iwi, is kept.

It was attended by 18 people, some who had never set foot on a marae, representing 15 community groups. The workshop was led by Dr Bronwyn Campbell, lecturer at Massey University’s School of Maori Art, Knowledge and Education.

Topics included significant milestones in New Zealand’s political and cultural history such as the Declaration of Independence in 1835, providing context to the environment with which the Treaty was established.

Workshop participant Rose Rickett, of Jack Allen House in Levin, says she gained a much greater understanding of the Treaty and would be able apply it in her work.

"Matau Marae was an awesome place and atmosphere for me to take it all in. I did realise how little I knew, but I was able to understand with ease. Dr Bronwyn Campbell was an amazing speaker and very passionate about the subject."

For more information the Community Capacity Building Programme or to suggest a topic for future workshops, contact Community Development Officer Garreth Stevens on 06 366 0999 or garreths@horowhenua.govt.nz

ENDS

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