We are delighted to have launched the brand new TrustPower Community Connect website. 

The new Community Connect website offers an even better online centre for New Zealand's grassroots voluntary groups and organisations.  Thanks to your feedback we are now offering more services than ever before...like the ability to add photos of your voluntary group and its events or activities to your listing, as well as the chance to have your logo up on screen!  We also now have a Discussion Board (which many of you have asked for) where you can swap ideas and seek advice from the Community Connect community.  And we mustn't forget the new Resources section.

Read more about the new TrustPower Community Connect website below and make sure you experience it for yourself at www.communityconnect.co.nz .

We'll see you online soon!

Pip, Mel & Suzi

The Community Connect team

Recession-Proof Fundraising - Is there such a thing?

I recently read an article about how schools are crazily chasing the charity dollar in an environment where fundraising is tougher than ever.  This hit a nerve with me, as I had just handed over $60 of my own hard-earned cash to buy a box of chocolate from a local toy library fundraiser as I didn't have the heart to hit up my mates to buy a chocolate bar for twice as much as they could get it for at the corner shop.

And I thought to myself - what is the answer?

On the Community Connect discussion board we also pose the old question - if you were trapped on a deserted island, what would be the one thing you would take with you?  But wait - before you say a sarong or good book, read the small print - you have to answer on behalf of your voluntary organisation!

Jump onto www.communityconnect.co.nz to read more and to have your say...and take part in our first discussions with the Community Connect community

If you have a topic you would like discussed, or an issue you would like to get some feedback on, suggest a discussion topic here.

Envirofest

Live smarter and cheaper - and find out how to do it for FREE!

Envirofest is being held at the Kerikeri Domain on Saturday 12th March.  Envirofest celebrates environmental sustainability with amazing ideas, innovative products and services and lots of fun and competitions.  The focus is on practical solutions that save money and enrich the environment.

Check out details of this great event at the TrustPower Community Connect Event Calendar - just click here.  Or go to the Envirofest website by clicking here.

And remember you can promote your organisation's events through the Community Connect Event Calendar.  Just login to www.communityconnect.co.nz and click on the Events tab.

Want Your Event Promoted Here?

Get FREE publicity for your voluntary group's events and activities through the Community Connect Events Calendar.

Just login to www.communityconnect.co.nz (or join Community Connect if you haven't already), click Add Event and enter your event details into the Calendar.  Then email us a great picture to illustrate your upcoming event and you might just get it profiled in the next Community Connect newsletter.  Click here to email us.

And remember - AFTER your event upload your photos to your group's Community Connect listing and your voluntary group may be profiled on the Community Connect home page!

Social Media - How to start your organisation's online conversation

Social media can be a great way of communicating to your organisation's members, supporters and funders....but if you are new to the social media medium where do you start?  And if you have started, how do you now make the most of your online presence?

The Resources section at TrustPower Community Connect offers information, advice and links to resources on all sorts of issues facing the voluntary sector, including Social Media Marketing.

In this article, Kerri Tilby gives some tips on social media time management and how to get started in this new medium.  We also provide links to relevant information such as staying safe online and how to knit together your various online content, as well as case studies from organisations who have made social media work for them.

Just click here to read all about it!

Join Us On Facebook

Keep up to date with the TrustPower Community Relations team on Facebook.

We'll keep you in touch with all our regional Community Awards so you know when nominations open, close and who the winners are.  You'll also see photos from our Awards events and other community activities, as well as updates on what's happening at Community Connect.

Just go to www.facebook.com/trustpower and be part of the TrustPower community online!

This newsletter is published by CommunityConnect.co.nz. TrustPower Community Connect provides an online space for New Zealand's voluntary groups and organisations. It provides a place to connect with other organisations, search for resources and discuss topics and even promote events.

Copyright 2010 TrustPower Community Connect. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.

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TrustPower Community Connect
Private Bag 12023 Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga, 3143

Contact: enquiries@communityconnect.co.nz
or call 0800 87 11 11, press 0 and ask to speak to Community Relations.