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No.25, October 2017
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Values the key to VSA's future, says new chief executive

VSA’s success in a fast-changing world, says VSA’s new chief executive, Stephen Goodman, relies on never losing sight of VSA’s point of difference as a values-based, partnering development organisation.

“There’s a new generation coming through. We have to adjust to build on the incredible work VSA has done in the past while still embodying our values and principles in what we do.”

Long before he completed 33 years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in June, Stephen had decided to work in the not-for-profit sector.

“My career had been about service in that international space,” he says. “When I became aware of the VSA vacancy, I thought ‘That sounds like me’.”

VSA’s appointments panel agreed. After a two-month break between jobs, Stephen had his first day at VSA on 4 September. Council chair Evan Mayson was delighted: “He brings

READ BELOW
 
considerable international, strategic and operational leadership experience, a focus on bringing teams together and getting the best from their collective efforts.” 

Stephen held a range of leadership roles in the Air Force.. Read more>
Finn hits halfway mark in fundraising walk
Returned volunteer Finn Egan is enjoying a well-earned few days' rest in Wellington, halfway through his 3200-km trek along the Te Araroa trail to raise funds for a VSA project in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea.

So far he's raised over $4200 for a women's refuge where another volunteer, Laura Barnett, is working. After leaving Cape Reinga on 19 August, Finn's enjoyed great support throughout the North Island with offers of meals, beds for the night and impromptu donations.

A Wanganui Chronicle article led to these comments (and donations) on his fundraising site:
"Saw your story today - inspirational!"
- Nikki Wall, $50.00".
"I'm making this donation after an amazing holiday in PNG. Good luck with the project."
- Guest donor. $100.00".

VSA members hosted Finn in Palmerston North,

Finn had a couple of days' rest and swapped his worn-out boots at his grandmother's home in Whanganui (Photo: Wanganui Chronicle).

and in the capital he is visiting the VSA office and giving a talk to St Pats College Silverstream students.

On 28 October, Finn boards the Picton ferry to begin the South Island leg and he hopes to reach Bluff by Christmas. You can follow his progress on his Facebook page and contribute here.
Over 100 former volunteers back in touch with VSA
Welcome to the 32 returned volunteers below who have joined VSAConnect in the past two months.

They bring to 108 the number of former VSAers who have responded to our membership drive that began last June. VSAConnect's membership now stands at more than 1130.

After trawling though old databases, we emailed and/or wrote to around 1400 former volunteers who had lost contact with VSA. Unfortunately,
many of their contact details were well out of date and many letters were returned.

If you know any former volunteers who might like to hear from VSA, send them this newsletter or this VSAConnect Membership form.

Of the 108 who have joined, it’s great to see volunteers from Vietnam, Tanzania, Botswana and other countries where VSA has such a proud history. And thanks for the photos and stories - our historical records are all the richer for them.
 Bhutan Russell and Margaret Fookes
 Botswana Jo-anne Stokes
 Cook Islands Sue Ngatokorua (nee Hawke) and Stephen Andrew
 Fiji Ian and Dorothy Rennie
 Indonesia Laurie Wesley
 Kiribati Trish Gardner Orr
 Papua New Guinea Mary Hammonds, John Styles, Lucy Dodds, and Marty and Glynes Gates
 Sabah Graham Taylor
 Samoa Christine Bartlett (nee Hunt)
 Solomons Gareth James
 South Africa Sharon Schindler, Glyn Singh (nee Kessell) and Maria Cunningham
 Tanzania Anne Perera
 Thailand Michael Joyce
 Timor-Leste Kerry Lee
 Tonga Graham Smith, Gillian Lynch, Marcia Gresham (nee Morrison) and James Scott
 Vanuatu Kelvyn Stevens, Murray Gardiner and John Walley
 Vietnam Megan Smith
 Zimbabwe Robert Boyle
School leaver in Sarawak: volunteering in a different era
"Can you ever fully know the long-term outcomes of any educational endeavour?", asks Susan Michell (nee Cheeseman), who was a school leaver volunteer teacher in Serian, Sarawak, nearly 50 years ago. From Nelson, Susan writes:

Serian is a small town on the main road from coastal Kuching to Sibu and beyond. A few small side roads went to villages where pepper crops were grown and rubber harvested, mostly by Hakka Chinese who had commercial connections in Serian and shipped it in small launches down to Kuching. Along.. Read more >
From VSA's photo archives: a Sarawak longhouse at the time Susan was volunteering.

An assignment
for you

 
VSA currently has a bumper 45 vacancies on its books, ranging from communications, construction and creative arts to business, special education, nursing, farming and tourism.

The vacancies include 11 in PNG, 12 in Timor-Leste, nine in the Solomons and a smattering in Bougainville, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tonga and the Cook Islands - here's the full list.

The deadline for applications is
29 October 2017
(when new listings and any of the above not filled will be posted).

Feel free to pass these listings on to friends or professional networks.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
You can register your interest in certain types of assignment. Just complete an easy online form and you'll be emailed when a vacancy in your field comes up.
 


Welcome to VSAConnect


Welcome to these volunteers who have recently joined VSAConnect on returning home (click through to blogs and profiles):
  • Kaye Thomson, Hana Maguire and Bram Pitoyo, Heather Smyth and Dianne Smith, Emma O'Neill, Godwell Mahowa
    (ex-Vanuatu)
     
  • Luke Familton
    (ex-Solomons)
     
  • Bruce Griffin and Nicola King (ex-Niue)
     
  • Nicky Thompson, Katherine Dorofaeff and Charlie Inggs
    (ex-Cook Islands)
     
  • Tim Jones, Nimal Siripala
    (ex-Bougainville)
Join VSA's 28,652 Facebook followers
NEWS CLIPPINGS
Gill moves to National Council of Women

Former VSA chief executive Gill Greer steps into another high-powered role at the end of October, albeit part-time, when she takes up a position as CEO of the National Council of Women. After leaving VSA in August, Gill is enjoying a well-earned break. VSAConnect wishes her every success in her new role.

Coincidentally, both Gill and new VSA CEO, Stephen Goodman, were awarded membership of the NZ Order of Merit in the 2005 New Year's Honours' list. Stephen, a RNZAF Wing Commander at the time, won his for leadership in operations while Gill's was for services to family planning and literature.


A Vietnamese lesson in sustainable living

Tricia Thompson, a self-described 'Taranaki farm girl', traces her passion for sustainable gardening back to her VSA volunteering in Vietnam.

Tricia, who has a masters in development studies and a midwifery degree, says living in Asia not only taught her more about living simply but how to make good use of a small space.

"I live a relatively simple life," Tricia says. "I grow much of my own food and eat seasonally. If I do buy food, I make sure it's from New Zealand." Her delightful New Plymouth garden featured in a recent Taranaki Daily News story.. Read more >

Vodafone farewells paradise, clear and ihug

On 30 November, Vodafone will turn off its 200,000 – 250,000 email accounts. This affects all accounts that end with vodafone.co.nz; paradise.net.nz; clear.net.nz; ihug.co.nz; wave.co.nz; pcconnect.co.nz; quik.co.nz; es.co.nz and vodafone.net.

If your email has one of those accounts, please email info@vsa.org.nz with your new email address if you haven't already done so.
 
WHAT'S ON: VSA EVENTS
Hawkes Bay VSA gathering on 18 November

All Hawkes Bay returned volunteers and VSA supporters are invited to a function in Napier on Saturday 18 November 2017. It will be held at the Heritage Room, Hawkes Bay Club, cnr Marine Parade and Browning Street, from 10am to midday. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided.

 The event is an opportunity to meet others interested in VSA and to hear from new VSA chief executive, Stephen Goodman. Through his 33-year career in the Air Force, Stephen knows Asia and the Pacific very well. He will introduce himself and give a short talk about VSA and its plans. VSAConnect coordinator Pat Martin will also attend.

For catering purposes, please email VSAConnect if you plan to come along. We look forward to seeing you.

Support for attending VSA Congress

Recently returned volunteers will have their travel and accommodation paid if they attend the VSA Congress in Wellington on 4 November 2017.

Volunteers and accompanying partners who have returned since November 2016 and been debriefed before 30 October 2017 are ‘VSA nominated guests'. Travel and accommodation are covered if that category is entered on the online registration form.

A highlight of VSA’s calendar, Congress is an opportunity to catch up with other returnees and to hear about VSA’s plans and strategies. The theme this year is ‘Youth and Development’. The 10th anniversary of the UniVol programme will be celebrated and an early UniVol, Sam McLachlan, will present his PhD research on the programme.

Returned volunteers Bruce Griffin (ex-Niue) and Tim Jones (ex-Bougainville) will also give presentations. Here’s the full programme and online registration form.
'ON ASSIGNMENT' ON DISPLAY: A public photo exhibition of VSA's work will be on display at the Asteron Centre on Featherston Street, Wellington, between 6 and 17 November. The exhibition features a selection of vibrant images from VSA assignments in recent years and will be open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm. Being located opposite Wellington Railway Station it is sure to catch the eye of busy commuters. It has been put together by Fiona Morris, a photographer who completed a VSA assignment for UN Women in Vanuatu in May this year. Call in to view the stunning images and encourage anyone interested in VSA to have a look. 
E-nius is sent to VSAConnect members who have supplied email addresses
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