Executive View
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Notes from the Chair: Open-hearted Kiwis
It is because of the generosity of donors and sponsors who provide two-thirds of the Foundation's income, that the Foundation is able to reach out and touch the lives of nearly 12,000 New Zealanders who live with little or no sight. In addition to this giving, volunteers offer time and expertise to the Foundation which, when costed out, equals the organisation's annual salary bill. New Zealanders are among the most open-hearted and unique people in the developed world, as we along with Australia and Canada, largely fund blindness services from private donations.
It is ironic that, in our booming economy with record government surpluses and talk of tax cuts, the Foundation struggles to meet its recruitment and service objectives because of salaries in the State sector.
Financial forecasts tell us that if we carry on down the current track, the Foundation will start losing money by 2010. In consultation with stakeholders therefore, plans are in hand to review our future direction.
One service that is bound to continue into the future however, is the expert narration of talking books that bring pleasure to members, and that bridge the information gap resulting from not reading print.
The Foundation celebrates this service with an annual Narrator of the Year award, which this year went to radio personality Merv Smith.
Creating a talking book brings together the art of narration, the craft of editing and monitoring, and the technology behind the reproduction and distribution of books. Reading aloud is a rare skill. Bringing the written word alive, getting inside the text, but not taking over the author's intent, is a unique and challenging art. The pull of talking books lies, not only with the spinning, ripping and sometimes spicy good yarns; but also with magic in the rhythm and use of beautiful language, telling it how it is, describing detail accurately, exploring intimate feeling with taste and taking the listener to where they have never been before. Talking books allow the reader time to ponder, reflect and reminisce, in a way pictures can never replicate.
You can contact Don on 09 372 6929 or email him at dmckenzie@clear.net.nz
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Sandra Budd, Chief Executive
Time flies. We're nearing the Christmas holidays, and I am approaching my six-month "anniversary" with the Foundation.
I'd like to give you a brief overview of some key activities to date, and talk a bit about what's on for 2008. Members who would like a greater depth of information can listen to the TIS newsletter that I recorded after the November Board meeting.
I've managed to "get my feet under my desk" relatively quickly, at least when I've been in my office! Since joining the Foundation, I've been travelling a good deal within New Zealand, to meet staff, members, volunteers, sponsors, stakeholders, government officials and other chief executives in the not-for-profit and business sectors. I have also visited Vision Australia where I met Australian and Canadian colleagues.
I have spent significant time with all eight consumer organisations, and I was pleased to address the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand's annual conference and attend the biennial Hui of Ngāti Kāpō in October.
It has been a pleasure meeting you all and I thank you all for your continued commitment and great work on behalf of our members.
Planning and collaboration
The 2006-2007 Annual Report identified last year as a time of transition as well as a year in which sustainability was a major focus. This shows that we must make changes in the way we do things to ensure we can continue to provide essential services for our members, even though demands for service are likely to increase faster than funding.
To achieve this, the Foundation will increasingly collaborate with our consumer organisations, our wider membership, and organisations with which we share common ground.
The "Seeing the Possibilities" and "Digital Talking Books" pilots were both excellent examples of the way we can and must work in the future. New ideas. Superb pilots. Research-based decisions. Delivering what members tell us they need, but in new ways.
We will be devoting significant resources to planning and I encourage you to read the story on pages 31-35 about current service planning, to which you contributed. The Board has also tasked a working group with identifying a process through
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which a long-term sustainability strategy will be developed.
I'm pleased to be able to announce two significant "wins".
First, the Foundation has secured funding to provide a transition programme for young blind members with moderate to severe needs in their last year of school. It is anticipated that 20 young people will complete the programme in the first year. And that number is expected to double.
Second, an initiative promoted by the Foundation's Employment Services team has resulted in the formation of a working party to establish options for members to gain work experience within the Foundation. We believe this will lead to the creation of a model for external employers to follow.
Changes in Government
With the recent Cabinet reshuffle, the Foundation will once again work to build relationships with each new Minister in key departments and work toward greater collaboration with government. We are pleased that the Hon Ruth Dyson is now Minister of Social Development and Employment, in addition to Senior Citizens and Disability Issues. Ruth has been an advocate for people with disabilities for years and we look forward to working even closer with her in future.
The New Year
In the coming months I will be working with the Board and Senior Management Team on:
- The strategic project to ensure the Foundation's future sustainability, in consultation with members and stakeholders
- Increasing the focus on quality, continuous service improvement and workforce planning
- Partnering and relationship- building with consumer groups
- Working to raise our profile and enhance our relationships with government, key ministries and other stakeholders.
Energy, adaptability, passion, enthusiasm, determination, and innovation are common themes I have seen and experienced from the Foundation and its people.
While the next year will bring challenges for us all as we make decisions about our future, I am confident the Foundation's proven ability to adapt to change, and to seize and create new opportunities and innovations, will ensure we can create our own destiny and continue to be leaders in our community and internationally.
I'll close by wishing you all happy holidays, and with thanks, once again, for the support and kindness shown to me since joining the Foundation in July.