Time running out to nominate COGS candidates

18/3/2005

Community groups have just two weeks left to nominate a candidate or register to vote in the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Local Distribution Committee (LDC) election. All nominations and registrations must be in by 1 April 2005.

"Becoming a member of a Local Distribution Committee will bring the opportunity to gain more skills and have a hands-on role in managing the funds distribution," said Rick Barker, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

"I urge local volunteers involved in community organisations to put their hand up before the chance has gone."

Members of the 37 LDCs throughout New Zealand consider and make decisions on COGS grant applications from groups within their local communities. Each year they distribute more than $12 million to over 3000 voluntary and community organisations. Most grants are for $3000 or less, and help towards ongoing running costs such as rent, travel, volunteers’ expenses and administration, hosting hui, fono or community workshops, or toward project development costs.

National COGS Committee chair Bruce Kilmister says: “Serving on a COGS committee gives people a rare opportunity to have a say in how Government money is spent to help strengthen and build the communities they live in.

“As chair of my local LDC, I’ve gained a real appreciation of the diversity within my community and a better awareness of the needs and social issues the community is faced with.

“It has given me a chance to make a real contribution and to experience first hand the difference COGS makes. It’s been a valuable experience.”

The election of members for all LDCs is being coordinated nationally this year for the first time since the scheme was established in 1986, and elections will now take place by postal ballot every three years – rather than only when vacancies occur in local committees.

Only community groups who are registered with COGS can nominate and vote. Community groups who have received a COGS grant in the past three years will automatically be registered, but others should contact their nearest Local Government and Community office of the Department of Internal Affairs.

More information (such as a candidates’ guide to the election, nomination and registration forms, dates for the upcoming COGS public meetings and a record of COGS grants in each region) is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website, http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Community-Funding-Community-Organisation-Grants-Scheme-(COGS)?OpenDocument.

Key dates for the LDC election 2005:

• 1 April: Nominations and registrations close at 12 noon.
• 8 April: Postal ballot forms are sent to all registered community groups.
• 11-30 April: Public meetings held in each LDC region.
• 6 May: Voting closes 12 noon.

For more information contact the Department of Internal Affairs:
Lucy Sanderson, Senior Communications Advisor, Phone 04 495 7299 or 027 284 4228
Colin Feslier, Corporate Communications Manger, Phone 04 495 9460 or 027 457 5676

Alternatively contact:
Bruce Kilmister, National COGS Committee Chair, Phone 021 633 373