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| The winners, the Vogelmorn Community Group, (L to R): Phil Clatworthy, Jo Randerson and Cally O'Neill. |
Social
enterprise is the new wave model for the charitable sector and the
Rotary Club of Wellington, NZ got involved at the ground floor level.
The
Rotary Club of Wellington Social Enterprise Kick-start is a challenge
to support social enterprise with the club providing $10,000 to the top
projects.
The
club partnered with the Ākina Foundation, a charity growing social
enterprise across NZ, to run the Kick-start Social Enterprise Awards.
Social enterprises are purpose-driven organisations that trade to deliver social and environmental impact.
Ākina Foundation Chief Executive Alex Hannant said the Vogelmorn Community Group’s idea
to re-envisage suburban connectivity and enterprise through developing
the closed Vogelmorn Bowling Club into a community asset is an
impressive inaugural winner. “I can see this project reinvigorating the
heart of Vogelmorn. Bowling clubs were traditionally real community
focus points, so re-creating that buzz and connection through social
enterprise builds on our history.”
On behalf of the Vogelmorn Community Group, Jo Randerson said the team was delighted to receive the award of $7,000. She said
the funds would help their commercial kitchen venture, which enables
locals to make and sell their own food products at markets and other
outlets.
“It's
very exciting to see Rotary supporting social enterprise, as this is a
smart way to invest in communities growing with a very clear return on
the investment in human terms,” Jo emphasised.
Alex
said that competition between the six shortlisted finalists had been
stiff. The runner-up was Sew Good, a sewing co-operative within the
Common Unity Project Aotearoa. Sew Good received $3,000 with funds
to be used to help empower people from vulnerable communities through
the production of sewn garments and goods for gifting and sale.
“The
Rotary Club of Wellington is the oldest Rotary Club in NZ (chartered in
1921). They have been a supporter of some of New Zealand’s most valued
social causes. It’s fantastic to see them embracing this new
generation of social enterprise,” Alex explained.
Wellington
Rotary’s Vocational Committee Chair Andrew Miller offered that their
members would also be available to support the successful ventures
through access to networks, advice on accessing markets and business
mentoring.
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| The community using the old Vogelmorn Bowling Club. |
Alex
said the Ākina team was excited about this new opportunity to support
social entrepreneurs thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the
Rotary Club of Wellington.
“We
are hopeful this successful partnership will challenge others to get in
behind social enterprise as an innovative way to tackle social and
environmental challenges,” said Alex.
“We want to act as inspiration for other Rotary clubs around the country,” Andrew added.
Rotary
members watched three-minute videos submitted by the finalists on
August 31 then cast votes to determine the winner and runner-up. View
all the finalists’ videos at http://www.rcw.org.nz/news/kick-start-social-enterprise-awards-presented/.
Go to www.akina.org.nz/rotary or contact Andrew Miller via email andrew.m.miller62@gmail.com to find out more.
