Council recognises that community groups, clubs and not-for-profit organisations contribute to making Waimakariri a great district to live and play. We can offer the following services to support the work of these groups.
Re-registration of Incorporated Societies
Organizations have until April 2026 to re-register as an incorporated society. This could mean updating your constitution, membership rules and governance requirements. The Waimakariri District Council Community Team will be available for to support groups understand and prepare for re-registration under the updated Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Contact community@wmk.govt.nz
Keeping your Organisation On Track - Skills Workshops
Throughout the year we coordinate workshops that can give insights or skills around a particular topic. We have covered topics including legislation, financial management, managing staff and volunteers and marketing in recent years. These workshops are offered within the district at low cost and open to anyone wanting to learn more to support their local group.
Look out for these on this page, on Facebook or Humanitix.
Contact us if you want a particular topic, examples include:
- Event planning
- Funding advice and writing good applications
- Strategic planning and governance
- Team dynamics
- Being a good employer in a not-for-profit
- Financial management for not-for-profits
- Marketing.
One-on-one support
We can assist community groups with tailored training or one to one discussion covering areas of need such as governance and strategy, marketing, events, or funding challenges. Contact community@wmk.govt.nz
Volunteer Coordinators group
This is an informal group for people who are responsible for the coordination of volunteers for not-for-profit groups and organisations. These volunteer coordinators may be in paid or voluntary roles. The group meets from time to time to share ideas and connect. The Volunteer Expos were initiated from this group. If you would like to be a part of this group, contact community@wmk.govt.nz
GivUS, GivMe are databases that can link you to possible funders. Members of the Waimakariri Library can access these databases for free.
There are other sources of Funding and Grants through Council Community Boards and contestable funds.
Here’s what people who attended previous workshops thought:
"We found the workshops very useful as we worked through the process of setting up a new charitable trust. We’ve previously been involved in community organisations but at each workshop we learned new things or easier ways of doing things." - Rhonda and Ronel, Waiora Links Community Trust.
"On Track highlighted a number of things we could improve on including our social media profile and the programme was a great help." - Ian, The Person to Person Help Trust.
“I am pleased to see you are running On Track again. Having attended the last time, I think they were very interesting and contained a wealth of information and sound practical advice for volunteers running community groups and clubs.” - David Gambold. Secretary, Ashley RFC.
“I highly recommend this course for those involved in the voluntary sector. As members of the governing board of a relatively new Trust, we found it very useful. It gave us tools to set up governance, financial and administrative structures. It was a great opportunity to meet managers, staff and volunteers, and learn from their experiences” - Judith, Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust.
“For me, one of the most important takeaways from the On-Track seminars is the fantastic opportunity to learn and interact with other community leaders.” - Padi Nistala GLOW Global Locals of Waimakariri/Timebank Waimakariri.