6 SEPTEMBER

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

3117

As a “one-off” millennium project, the trust set aside $1 million to enable new technology to be introduced into the district’s secondary schools. An experienced manager was appointed to manage this project and to ensure that the strict criteria laid down by the trust was adhered to before any funds were released.

The project was enthusiastically received by school principals, all progress reports stating that the new technology introduced will enable pupils to keep up with their counterparts in other regions.

The trustees are accountable to the community they serve, and as part of this responsibility, the trust is now auditing donations made to selected applicants to ensure that they are used for the project applied for, and providing the opportunity for them to comment on the criteria applied by the trust, and to suggest where improvements can be made.

This accountability process is further enhanced by the trust holding a number of meetings in districts outside Timaru, meeting with selected district organisations, and inspecting projects which have been part-funded by the trust. I liken this to a partnership with the community which can only reinforce the good work being carried out by a large number of voluntary organisations.

Community House

The previous initiative of the trust in leasing the old Rural Bank Building and renaming it as Community House has proved to be successful.

The interior was renovated to provide the official home of the trust, and to create smaller offices for leasing to a number of community charitable and non-profit organisations. At present, all offices are fully tenanted.

Not only has this resulted in the valuable networking of organisations housed in the building, but the excellent committee room facilities are being used extensively by a wide variety of bodies for meetings and seminars.

Strategic Planning

During the year, the trust completed its first strategic plan which will enable it to focus on its most important functions, to continually review these functions, and to ensure that its administration is flexible enough to cope with the changing needs of the community.

Year of the Volunteer

A number of district charitable and non-profit organisations struggle with modern accounting and secretarial techniques, and the never-ending “red tape” when applying for government and other financial assistance.

The trust decided that the best way to recognise the Year of The Volunteer was to assist those organisations in upgrading their skills in these areas, and it intends to sponsor a number of seminars at which professionals will provide them with knowledge necessary to achieve this objective.

In the near future, the trust will be advertising these seminars, inviting organisations to register their interest.

Communication

The trust is now in the process of developing its own web site which will enable a wider section of the community to access all the information it requires about the services provided by the trust and details of the donation process.

Government Policies

The trust carefully monitors new policies launched by central government to ensure that the independence of community trusts is maintained and to be in a position to make submissions in support of this.

A close liaison is maintained with other community trusts, which is further strengthened by the activities of an informed chairpersons’ group.

Trustee Appointments

During the year, Mrs J. J. Rayne, a valued and long-serving trustee, completed her term of office, being replaced by Mr Simon Dorman of Timaru.

Mrs K. Mattingley was appointed to fill a vacancy which arose during the previous year. The experience of the two new trustees will be of immense value to the trust.

The decision of the Minister of Finance to reappoint long-standing trustee Mr L. K. Cooney for a shortened two-year term was welcomed by trustees.

Appreciation

The trustees of The Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury make up a committed group of people working with the common objective to enhance the region they serve and to support the multitude of district organisations working for the good of the community. The year under review has been difficult and arduous, yet rewarding, and I express my sincere appreciation for the time and professionalism they bring to the board table.

I record my special thanks to the staff of the trust in coping admirably with the complexities of a busy year.

We all hope that the new year will bring added wealth to the community.

P. F. MCILRAITH, Chairperson.

Date: 27 August 2001.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance for the Year Ended 31 March 2001