This article was first published in eMessenger in June 2019.
The Methodist Alliance has established communities of practice to achieve the strategic priorities of:
1. Safe and secure housing
2. Strong resilient tamariki/children and families/whānau
3. Building stronger communities – including reducing social isolation for older people
4. Working towards a bi-cultural future for Aotearoa/New Zealand
Here is an update of what these communities of practice have achieved to date:
Housing
The Housing Community of Practice held a two day meeting in May which was opened to the whole membership of the Methodist Alliance. We met with Andrew Plant, General Manager Strategic Purchasing, Public Housing Supply in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Andrew requested information on what projects we have for new housing supply in the short and longer term. Methodist Alliance members have 58-62 new social housing units under development in the 18 months – two year period. This is in addition to the 25 new units at Wesley Rātā Village, which would increase this total to 87. We are currently working on the longer five year plan.
A parish requested some guidelines for how to set rental rates for social housing. We have drafted this and this is available on our website on a new page entitled Resources for Parishes http://www.methodist.org.nz/methodist_alliance/resources_for_parishes
Methodist parishes and missions have a strong history in providing housing to people who find it difficult to secure a warm, dry and affordable home. Most of this housing has focused on older people, but in recent years has expanded to include families and single people of all ages who are homeless. With the ongoing housing crisis many parishes and missions are working closely together to meet social housing needs in their communities. The Community of Practice has collated this information into a presentation to the Synods in their upcoming meetings with a discussion paper on options for the future.
Building Stronger Communities
This community of practice has met several times in different areas around Aotearoa, so members can see the community led development projects and hear from the people doing this work. Neighbours Day Aotearoa has been a focus in the early part of this year. The last meeting was held in Christchurch where frameworks and theories of change for community led development were discussed. Below is the theory of change used by Inspiring Communities.
Source: https://inspiringcommunities.org.nz/ic_story/our-theory-of-change/
The community of practice is keen to create a video showcasing the different community led development projects to inspire more project as well as current for current projects.
Futhering the bicultural journey
Haehaetu Barrett, Lifewise Rotorua Regional Manager, and Bella Ngaha have held regional hui in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with Māori staff to inform the national hui planned for later this year. The national hui has been funded with a grant from PAC.
Children & Families
Thanks to a PAC grant, the Children & Families Community of Practice has the skills of a facilitator to help us draft a theory of change for Methodist work with children and families. This draft theory of change will continue to be discussed and updated at the planned wananga to be held in Wellington on 17th & 18th September. So save the date for this.
Communications & Fundraising
Staff working in the communications and fundraising area met to further the work on co-branding. The original co-branding guidelines gave a range of options for members to co-brand. The community of practice recommended only one option should be used for consistency of brand and they also drafted minimum expectations of co-branding which have been agreed by the Steering Group. They are working on a communications strategy.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz