News
- New coins officially launched
- Blind Week
- Board elections
- Foundation's winning streak
- AT pulls the crowds
- Guide Dog Appeal Results
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New coins officially launched
At the end of July Mary Schnackenberg, Divisional Manager Adaptive Support, Geoff Gibbs, Deputy Board Chair, and board member Geraldine Glanville attended the official launch of the new coins on behalf of the Foundation. The Wellington event was an opportunity to celebrate the success of the consultation in that each new coin feels completely different from any current coin in circulation. The Foundation and Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand worked closely with the Reserve Bank throughout this process.
Blind Week
Blind Week is happening from 24-30 October and the Foundation needs thousands of people to donate their time to help collect. You can choose a time and location that suits you and whether you collect for two hours or two days, it all helps. Why not collect with friends and have lunch afterwards, get your children or grandchildren involved or your workplace, school or club? With limited Government funding the Foundation relies on the generosity of the New Zealand public. The more hands shaking buckets the greater the success. So call now to make a difference and help the Foundation continue to provide these essential services to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people in your community.
For more information or to register phone 0800 002 345 to speak with your local Fundraising Manager.
Board elections
Board of Director elections are coming up. Full voting members can expect a voting pack around 29 September. The three-year term is ending for Chair Don McKenzie, Deputy Chair Geoff Gibbs and Director Jillian Mills. Voting closes 30 October, so make sure you have your say. And remember a quick and easy way to vote is to pick up your phone and vote on the Telephone Information Service (TIS). For more information on TIS please call 0800 24 33 33, option 1. The results of the elections will be announced at the AGM on 4 November in Christchurch.
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Foundation's winning streak
June saw the Foundation securing a number of coveted awards. At the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) 2006 Awards the Foundation won Excellence for the "Guide Dogs Aren't Born They're Made" campaign and a Certificate of Merit for the "We Need Dogs" campaign. In addition, Dianne Armstrong, Group Manager Regional Fundraising, was named as a Fellow of FINZ in honour of her contribution to fundraising.
At the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants Annual Report Awards the Foundation's 2004/2005 Annual Report won Best Governance Reporting and Best Annual Report by a Service Organisation/Volunteer Sector- the same two awards it won last year.
The Foundation's 2005 "We Need Dogs" campaign was also a finalist in the Marketing Magazine awards. Awards such as these are not only recognition for great work but also an opportunity to raise awareness of the Foundation.
AT pulls the crowds
Foundation staff Neil Jarvis, Julie Woods-Dalloway and Georgie Robertson wowed the crowds at the recent Dunedin International Science Fair. In partnership with Vodafone NZ the team set up a comprehensive adaptive technology display and showcased the service and tools available to members. This included the latest TALKS mobile phone technology supplied by Vodafone. The display even attracted the Minister of Health Pete Hodgson who was treated to a demonstration of the mobile phone software.
Guide Dog Appeal Results
Volunteers from around New Zealand hit the streets collecting for the 2006 Guide Dog Appeal from 7-9 April. Bayleys, as usual, were "barking mad" and out in force, and we even had a donkey lend a hoof to raise money for our four-legged friends, the guide dog.
Despite volunteer numbers being down we raised a grand total of $922,568 and whilst we were just short of our $945,000 target, we raised $107,000 more than last year. A big thank you to everyone who volunteered and who gave so generously.