The NEWORK Centre
Level 2 Willbank House
57 Willis Street Wellington
Phone 499 1048
e-mail nework@xtra.co.nz |
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No 85 December 2005
2005 and Beyond
Here we are at the end of another year.
2005 has certainly had its challenges for all who are involved with the operation of the NEWORK Centre.
A critical point has been reached where the funding supply that meets the cost of operating the NEWORK Centre has "dried up".
With low unemployment being the popular headline, the funders do not see the operation of the NEWORK Centre as being something of a high priority.
As the situation currently stands the Centre has sufficient funds to remain open until the end of January 2006.
Following considerable efforts in October/November 2005, the situation of the future of the Nework Centre has come to a conclusion. The conclusion has a very pragmatic base - the funding required to continue to keep the centre open has not eventuated. The Centre will therefore close on Tuesday 31 January 2006.
In terms of financial support, the membership of Nework doubled and as trustees, we appreciate the support of members through their membership donation and to the generosity of some for their additional gifts. This funding has enabled the centre to remain open these last few months but unfortunately no longer.
A couple of meetings have been held in which those present explored the various options that were available to see the Centre remain open. Despite a number of suggestions nothing has come to fruition that will generate sufficient income to ensure that the rent, power, phone and other expenses associated with the Centre's operation will be paid on an ongoing manner.
Those present at these two meetings indicated that while it was seen that there were advantages to having a physical presence in the city, much of the work that was identified did not require premises to be continued. The proposals discussed did not provide sufficient income to pay for the costs associated with the premises at Willbank House.
So, where to from here?
- Networking - the main means of networking where people gather together has been events held from time to time at the Centre. A regular gathering has been the Thursday lunchtime event with anywhere from 1 to 12 people attending although in recent times numbers have been very small.
Perhaps a way forward from the point where the Centre closes is that meetings be held at other venues. These might include a central city or suburban café or pub, a facility that members have access to, or indeed the hiring of a venue.
- Newsletters
NEWORKer. It is intended to continue this newsletter to members. The 80 odd editions published to date have included a wide range of articles addressing specific issues, problems, challenges etc of a portfolio/NEWORKer. The feedback that has been received is positive and would indicate that the newsletter is seen as a valuable resource. As the Editor, Tom Law learns more than is able to be passed on in this form of communication.
Changing Times - As part of the trusts role of advocacy of the issues around the changing nature of work, a newsletter called "Changing Times" was edited, published and distributed to many people in Central Government, local government, NGO, the employment sector and the wider community. This publication ceased with the last edition published in May 2004. Communication with these people and organisations has been severely restricted since then. The Trustees have decided to resurrect this publication and Trustee Peter Crosland has agreed to edit the Changing Times gathering information from a wide range of sources including members.
- Website - The website
http://www/nework.co.nz is hosted by e-Xpert Developments Ltd. Maintained by Tom Law, this site will be upgraded to reflect the new arrangements of the Work and Age Trust.
- Advocacy - This area of the work of the Work and Age Trust has continued both in the formal style of submissions, meetings and formal discussions. In recent years the trust has made submissions on the Regional Strategy, the Older Person's Policy of Council amongst others. There have also been discussions and meetings with Councillors, Members of Parliament (including Cabinet Ministers), officials of Government Departments and many other community leaders.
Advocacy has not been limited to these formal occasions. As each portfolio worker has in their own way advocated, lobbied, promoted and advanced the concepts of the changing nature of work (and the world that we live in) and the relationship between work and the many other things that are so much a part of our lives.
- Funding - closing the NEWORK Centre saves on the costs associated with that facility. That has been in the vicinity of $10000 to $12000 per year.
If the Work and Age Trust is to continue in operation, then there are costs that continue. The Trustees believe that these will be in the vicinity of $2500 per year. This covers
- Costs of running the Trust (incl costs yet to be incurred to maintain our charitable status)
- Printing and photocopying
- Website hosting
- Future hiring of meeting rooms
This level of funding should be more achievable in the forseeable future
So, Where does all that leave us for now?
We carry on doing our work, living our lives, keeping in touch, meeting together, supporting each other so that as we move, we go together supported in the community of the portfolio worker and those that support the concepts that are so much a part of that lifestyle.
Hopefully you will also continue to financially support the Trust as it finds new ways of moving forward.
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