Volunteer Marlborough (with assistance from volunteers), on behalf of the voluntary & community sector, and in conjunction with the Volunteer Centre Network of Aotearoa (VCNA) submitted a list of questions to those running for local office here in Marlborough. For consistency, effort has been made to ask the same questions of all candidates around the country.
Here, we hear from Brian Dawson, current Councillor, and running again:
What role do you think Council has in supporting a thriving Marlborough region for the voluntary & community sector?
The Council has an important role. Jodie Griffiths is doing a fantastic job for Council, working with the sector.
What do you think are the significant obstacles and opportunities facing the Marlborough region's voluntary & community sector over the next few years? If elected, how would you address these opportunities and obstacles?
I'd be very keen to better understand the challenges and opportunities ahead and see how we can work on them together.
How do you view volunteering in the community? i.e. Is it important? What value do volunteers bring? And, if elected, how would you personally support the voluntary & community sector in Marlborough?
Volunteers are immensely important. Much of what happens in the community would not go ahead without volunteers. Again, I'm very keen to learn more and see how I can better support.
We've had a lot of extreme weather events around the country lately, and we are rather earthquake prone as a country. How do you see the role of volunteers as part of the disaster response locally?
Understanding how they can link in with Civil Defence.
How do you see Council and community organisations working together to build a robust, resilient, and welcoming region and community?
By holding regular meetings and seeing how we can best collaborate.
If you are successful in these local elections, how will you recognise and support the vital role of volunteers, volunteer-involving-organisations, and volunteer support services in the electorate? And how might you see yourself working with Volunteer Marlborough?
I'd be happy to be guided by Volunteer Marlborough on this.
What impact do you perceive volunteers to have in our community? (Volunteer submitted)
Massive, of course.
Have you ever volunteered, and would you recommend it to others? (Volunteer submitted)
Yes, as a football coach and as a Trustee of the Civic Theatre Trust.
How do you think volunteers and not-for-profits could better the community even further? (Volunteer submitted)
I think that they are doing a fantastic job at present.
In what ways do you think Volunteer Marlborough could help to improve local volunteer programmes and further support not-for-profit organisations? (Volunteer submitted)
By working with other agencies to best understand the needs of the community.
What regional policies do you think are the most important for supporting our local organisations and volunteers in the sector so that they flourish rather than perish? (Volunteer submitted)
Council's Age Friendly Strategy
What resources and support do you plan to implement or maintain in order to continue to develop and support the not-for-profit sector as it stands? (Volunteer submitted)
Maintain the current level of community grants
What message would you like to share with the volunteers of our region? (Volunteer submitted)
A huuuuge thanks for all you do!
Thank you, Brian, for taking the time to answer these questions!