Meg

Love finding great Conversations on Giving - or should I say “Deploying money, time and other resources to achieve positive social and environmental change" Amplify’d from carolinefiennes.com Language shapes how we think. No clear language: no clear thinking What is this thing that we do? “Deploying money, time and other resources to achieve positive social and environmental change”. A snappy phrase, don’t you think?? I’ve been talking a lot recently about this (‘this’ being ‘deploying money... Read Full Story

A Year of Positive Action : Week Fifteen Save your change and change the world … okay, maybe you won’t save the world but you could sure help your community! If you set aside your loose change each week through the end of the year you will be surprised at how much you accumulate! Then, if you donate this to an organization doing good in your neighborhood you can really make a difference…and you won’t even feel a pinch in your  wallet! Thanks P ositivity Nation for this fabulous idea!  If... Read Full Story

I need a logo for Volunteer Mataura ... a new volunteer jobs board launching in May both online and offline. The website will look something like this: If you'd like to volunteer to design a fab logo get in touch! Read Full Story

One of the biggest issues in many small (and not so small) communities is that of getting volunteers for community organisations and events.  Often it seems to be the same small group of people doing everything. Below are a few suggestions to encourage more volunteers to come forward.  None of this will result in stampedes of volunteers overnight, but if we think long term about building a community with a culture of active community involvement, they may help. Set up service awards presented... Read Full Story

Interesting to see that while there is some discussion nationally about Solid Energy's plans down here in Southland, there is still nothing in local media ... Lignite Costs The Earth MEDIA RELEASE | Coal Action Network Thursday 9th December 2010 | For Immediate Use The Coal Action Network today praised the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) for exposing the high environmental cost of Solid Energy’s plans to exploit South Island lignite reserves in her new report ‘Lignite and... Read Full Story

What makes a community a desirable place to live?  What draws people to stake their future in it?  Are communities with more attached residents better off? The Knight Soul of the Community project started in 2008 with these questions in mind.  Over 3 years they interviewed close to 43,000 people in 26 communities in the United States.  The study found that three main qualities attach people to place: Social offerings, such as entertainment venues and places to meet,  Openness (how welcoming a... Read Full Story

I am constantly amazed, that with the spectre of a large opencast mining operation setting up on our back doorstep, there has been very little commentary (read none ) covering the less savoury aspects of Solid Energy's plans for Southland. All we seem to hear about is the possibility of new jobs and more money in our area.  But there are other issues that should be being covered so that we can all make well informed decisions about our future. What about the damage to NZ's clean green image... Read Full Story

If you would like to be on our mailing list to receive the Mataura Messenger in your inbox each month please use the sign up form below. &id;&c; Read Full Story

Its hard to even begin to imagine how the loss of these 29 men at the Pike River Coal Mine is affecting their community and families.  My thoughts - and those of the rest of New Zealand are with them.   Please give generously. Read Full Story

Project Mataura is into its second year as a community and economic development initiative designed to assist turn around Mataura'a Bridge Street's physical appearance, encourage new users for empty buildings, revitalise the Bridge St business district, and assist youth job creating and economic development generally.  The initiative is encouraging and empowering local residents to become more involved in discovering and building their community and its economy. Project Mataura's Community... Read Full Story