Welcome to the latest edition of the Kumara Vine. It is with great enthusiasm that we present this unique issue, which stands out as a collaborative effort between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence (AI).

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines or computer systems. It involves the development of algorithms and software that enable computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.

There are numerous online tools available for organising documents, whether you need to manage personal files, collaborate on team projects, or streamline your business document workflows. Here are some popular options:

Emerging technologies are having a significant impact on the community sector, which includes non-profit organisations, social services, and community development initiatives. These technologies are helping these organisations become more efficient, innovative, and better equipped to address social and community challenges.

Using AI tools in community (non-profit) organizations can indeed offer several benefits, but it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks and challenges that come with their implementation.

Creating a QR code is a straightforward process, and they can be used for various purposes.

Community groups play a vital role in fostering connections, driving change, and supporting local initiatives. In today's digital age, integrating technology into community group operations is essential for efficiency, outreach, and overall effectiveness.

Asset based Community Development (ABCD) is a powerful approach focused on discovering and mobilising the resources that are already present in a community.

Voting in the New Zealand General Election starts on Monday 2 October, with election day on Saturday 14 October 2023. Community Waikato asked local candidates to give us their party perspectives on some topical issues impacting the Waikato community and social service sector.

When we were thinking about a theme for this Kumara Vine, we reflected on the strengths of our very diverse community and social service sector. We have been talking a lot recently about how to make the most of the opportunities available to the sector, through leveraging our relationships, our resources and our experiences.

The Thames Community Centre has plenty to celebrate; they have won the most Outstanding Community Driver Education programme award at the recently held Driving Change national conference.

National Volunteer Week is upon us and once again all around Aotearoa New Zealand organisations will be celebrating their volunteers and volunteering.

People are different not only in age, gender or ethnicity. People have different needs, fears, habits, backgrounds, values, and different ways of thinking. The diversity in teams can be a huge benefit for each team member and the team’s performance.

Over the past couple of years Community Waikato has received an increasing number of requests from community organisations seeking support and assistance to address relationship issues that have become sources of significant conflict within the organisation.

All around me people are talking about preparing for climate adaptation as if they are undertaking a mission strategy.  Our ability to adapt is threatened by the anxiety of switching from heat to flooding in a flash, strained by systemic inaction and only incremental changes through policy and law. 

We live in uncertain times, but there’s a graph that leaves little room for doubt. The graph of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and how it’s changed over the last million years, shows something dramatic has been going on since 1950.

Community organisations are never more crucial, or more appreciated than in a disaster. In recent months many Waikato communities have faced unprecedented challenges.

Community Waikato in collaboration with the Mentoring Foundation delivers a Mentoring Programme that been designed to help grow leadership in social and community sector leaders.

I think it is fair to say that 2023 did not start the way anyone anticipated.  We didn’t seem to have much of a summer, and coming back to work, our country experienced the torrential flooding in Northland/Auckland followed by the cyclone that hit much of Te-Ika-a-Maaui (the North Island).

Community Networks Aotearoa is a busy little office with multiple projects on the go. Everything we do is based on issues arising in the non-profit sector, that we as a national organisation can grapple with on behalf of The Sector.