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Association Update March 2024 |
Tēnā koe <<First Name>>,
A message from your National President |
| He pai te tirohanga ki ngā mahara mo ngā rā pahemo engari ka puta te māramatanga i runga i te titiro whakamua – It's fine to have recollections of the past but wisdom comes from being able to prepare opportunities for the future.
This whakataukī is particularly relevant as we continue our work to modernise the RNZRSA, and reflect on the work that was done during the National Council Workshop at the end of last month. |
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As I said during my address to the Workshop, we are an organisation that has been here for over 108 years. We have a lot of history, and a lot of decisions that have been made over time continue to affect us today.
I can’t help but look at the media reports around the state of NZ Rugby and the problems they are having with their Governance, and draw parallels to what is happening right here in the RSA. They are experiencing many of the same issues we are around unclear leadership models and fragmented lines of communications across the organisation.
I was really encouraged during the National Council workshop by the energy all participants showed, and a willingness to put our differences aside and work together for the good of the organisation.
What came out really strongly during the workshop was that while ALL members are equally important, the reason we are all part of the RSA is because we believe in the value of military service and we want to ensure the Veterans of New Zealand can access support when they need it.
We gathered some excellent feedback during the workshop, and the Constitution Working Group have been analysing that information and have now produced a report. A link to that report is included in the newsletter below.
There is a lot of ground to cover in the coming months as we continue the Modernisation Programme, and I hope you will all stay engaged with the process and continue to give us your open and honest feedback. There are more direct consultation opportunities coming up - so please keep an eye out for them and get involved wherever you can.
We are now in our busiest time of year, with preparations for both Poppy Month and Anzac Day well underway. I want to take a moment to thank all of you who volunteer countless hours to make both these activities successful and meaningful in communities across the country. Your efforts are so often unseen by the public, but I am incredibly grateful for the work you all do.
Ngā mihi nui,
Tā Buck.
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In this edition:RNZRSA Modernisation Programme Poppy Campaign Updates Anzac Day Updates Official Charity of ITM Taupō Super400 Invictus Games Sponsorship Opportunity National Support Services Calendar Facebook page for Association Executives Upcoming Events Public Notices Merchandise
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RNZRSA Modernisation Programme
In February we held Part Two of the 107th National Council. The Council was conducted as a workshop which considered four questions designed to provide feedback to the RNZRSA Modernisation Programme.
The results have now been consolidated into a report titled: “Realigning the RSA, National Council Part Two Feedback”
The full report can be downloaded using the button below. |
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Poppy Campaign Updates |
As April rapidly approaches, we know that Associations around the country will be putting the final touches on their plans for Poppy Collections. Below are a few final points to support planning.
Poppy Campaign Guidebook
If you haven’t yet received a copy of the Poppy Campaign Guidebook, click on the button below and download your copy now.
The guidebook is full of resources to support your Poppy Collection and provides full details of the National Marketing Campaign. |
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Support from Major Retailers
Four Square |
The RSA has been lucky enough to once again partner up with Four Square. Their Eastbourne store was used as the filming location for the Poppy Campaign’s television commercial, which you’ll be seeing again on screens in April. |
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Four Square are keen to support the RSA and would like to see counter-top boxes in all their stores across New Zealand. In order to ensure the donations stay within communities, Associations are strongly encouraged to reach out to their nearest store and provide them with counter-top boxes and Poppies.
You can use the link below to find contact details for the stores nearest you. https://www.foursquare.co.nz/store-finder
The Warehouse Group |
RSAs with a Warehouse or Noel Leeming in their area are invited to reach out for 2024 Poppy Day collections outside stores.
As each store has different restrictions based on location, RSAs are encouraged to touch base with stores as soon as possible to begin planning. You can |
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use the below Store Finder webpages to help you locate the participating stores closest to your RSA.
Click here for The Warehouse store finder Click here for the Noel Leeming store finder
ANZ Bank |
The ANZ Bank are once again welcoming the RSA’s Poppy Collection Counter-top Boxes in their local branches. |
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The process is slightly different to previous years and full details on how to work with your local ANZ branch can be found below.
Step One: Approach your local ANZ branch directly
Step Two: Drop a Poppy Box off to your ANZ branch, and make sure to provide your Association’s bank account details, your name, and your contact information for the ANZ Branch Manager. ANZ have asked that you add your name and contact number somewhere discreet to the box so it is easy for the ANZ branch manager to contact you. Please also advise them how frequently you would like deposits made.
Step Three: Visit your local branch again after Poppy Day to collect Poppy Boxes and any left-over Poppies
Step Four: Your local ANZ branch will transfer donations directly to your Association’s bank account
Merchandising Opportunity: Cookie Time Cookies |
The Rangiora RSA Club is the brainchild behind the opportunity for the RSA to team up with Cookie Time for a special fundraiser - featuring the limited edition Golden Chewy Oat Cookie!
Associations can purchase the cookies and sell them in their areas to raise funds during the Poppy Campaign.
How it works: |
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•Purchase a box of 240 cookies for $250 (incl GST), each order comes with a display box and thank you stickers for customers
•Sell the cookies for $2 each – providing a 48% return for your Association
•Once you receive the cookies, place the boxes out in supporting retailers throughout your area – or have them on hand to sell during the street appeal.
•Minimum order quantities apply.
Click here to find out more and download an order form. |
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Anzac Day Updates |
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Requesting Support from NZDF
Any Associations still wishing to request support from the NZDF for their Anzac Day services have until 29 March to submit their requests.
The only way to request support is to use the form found at the link below.
Examples of support the NZDF is able to provide at a local level include guest speakers, wreath bearers and layers, flag orderlies and potentially buglers and parade commanders.
Requests for flypasts may be considered depending on operational priorities. Firing parties will not be provided to domestic Anzac Day commemorations.
Catafalque guards will only be provided at the national commemorative services at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Atatürk Memorial and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and at designated services identified by the NZDF’s Heritage Commemorations and Protocol unit. This is due to protocol, practicality and security reasons. You can access the support request form here: https://forms.office.com/r/ABwFZZQe2f
If you have any questions or want to made amendments to a request you have already submitted, contact ANZACsupport@nzdf.mil.nz
Find an Anzac Day Service
Each year, in order to help New Zealanders find their nearest Anzac Day service, the RSA creates a page on their website listing all known Anzac Day services.
In order for this to be as accurate as possible, all Associations are asked to provide the details of their Dawn and Civic services by completing the short survey below.
Last year this resource was accessed tens of thousands of times in the lead up to Anzac Day, so it’s well worth ensuring your services are included.
The page will be live on the website from early April.
Please note: Auckland Associations do not need to complete the survey. A complete list of Auckland services has already been collated.
Please also note: If you have previously submitted the details of your 2024 Anzac Day service using the survey you do not need to resubmit them. |
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Official Charity of 2024 ITM Taupō Super400 |
The Supercars are heading to Taupō this April, and the RNZRSA has been named the Official Charity of the 2024 ITM Taupō Super400.
The RNZRSA and Taupō RSA will be onsite conducting a range of fundraising activities. With races starting on 19 April, our status as Official Charity raises the profile of both the RSA and the Poppy Campaign.
Click here to visit the ITM Taupō Super400 website
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Invictus Games Sponsorship Opportunity
More than just a sporting tournament, the Invictus Games uses the power of sport to help ‘wounded warriors’ physically, psychologically and socially. The games are attended by men and women from around the world who have served their country and now face a long recovery journey, and in many cases, a change of career and life.
The power of sport, and the focus these games provide, provides competitors the ability to reconnect with family and friends, to employment, to fitness, both physical or mental, and it also gives them a renewed sense of pride, purpose and belonging.
In the past the RNZRSA has provided relatively small donations to help reduce the personal costs of the NZDF Invictus Team members attending the games. At the same time, many Associations have also made smaller contributions to either the NZDF team or to individual athletes.
The opportunity By pooling the collective donations from all Associations wishing to contribute to the NZDF Invictus team, alongside the RNZRSA’s donation, we have the opportunity to be a named sponsor for the team.
This would see the RSA’s logo on the team uniforms, and public acknowledgement of all participating RSA’s.
An Invictus Guidebook will be created to enable participating RSA’s to download branded materials which can be used on websites, Facebook Pages and newsletters to identify your RSA as a supporter of the Invictus Games.
How to donate If your Association would like to donate to support the NZDF Invictus Games team, please contact either Tony Hill, District President Waikato on 021 440 093 or DP.Waikato@rsa.org.nz or Marty Donoghue, Chief Executive on martyd@rsa.org.nz. |
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National Support Services Calendar |
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Date | Location | Activity |
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29 - 31 Mar | Wanaka | Warbirds over Wanaka Support Services Stand | May | Waikato and Northland | Support Advisor Training
If you are outside these areas but have an urgent need to attend training, please contact Tricia Hague: DSM.Waikato@rsa.org.nz | |
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Get updates via Facebook
A Facebook group has been created as an additional means of improving information flow from National Office to Association Executives, and to provide a safe forum for Association Executives to seek support and advice from each other.
The group will also be used as one of the means to issue emergency communications when needed.
Membership of the group is restricted to Association Executives, and those joining the group will be required to provide their name, RSA affiliation and position on the executive to ensure the integrity of the group is maintained.
Membership does require individuals to have an existing Facebook profile, or alternatively the Facebook pages run by Associations can also be used to join. |
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Upcoming Events
April 1 April - Poppy Appeal begins 19 April - Poppy Day 19 - 21 April - 2024 ITM Taupō Super400 25 April - Anzac Day 30 April - Poppy Appeal ends
June 1 June - National Snooker Pairs Tournament Find out more —> 1 June - Victory Darts Tournament Find out more —>
October 16 - 17 Oct - National Council (more information available soon)
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Public Notices |
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Back to Timor Veterans’ Tour - Sponsorship Request
In July this year a group of veterans will travel back to East Timor to mark the 25th Anniversary of New Zealand's deployments to the country.
A documentary crew will be travelling with, and filming, the veterans during the visit to record their stories and help New Zealanders understand the impact our Defence Force has overseas, and how operational service continues to affect veterans long after they leave the military. The documentary trailer can be viewed using the button below.
The veterans will visit sites of significance to them, to New Zealand, including places where New Zealanders lost their lives during the deployments. The group consists of around 20 veterans who served in East Timor between 1999 and 2002.
The group are currently fundraising to try and cover the travel costs for the veterans taking part in the return. Associations wishing to contribute can choose either to sponsor an individual veteran or make a donation into a joint fund that will be used to reduce the costs across the whole group. The Gore RSA has provided a bank account to allow the donations to be collected and managed.
The group will be travelling to East Timor over the period 19 - 28 July with individual travel costs (incl accommodation and in-country transport) of $5500. Most veterans will be using the $2,500 travel warrant available through Veterans’ Affairs which should reduce the costs to around $3,000 each.
All Associations who donate funds will be acknowledged in the documentary credits.
Making a donation Associations wishing to make donations to help cover the travel costs for the veterans travelling to East Timor can do so by transferring funds using the bank details below.
Sponsoring an individual Veteran If an Association would like to cover the full travel costs of $3000 for a single veteran, they can make payment into the account detailed below and should email adhorrell@hotmail.com to confirm their donation is for an individual sponsorship. The team will connect you with the veteran you will be sponsoring. As all travelling veterans have already been selected, while every effort will be made to connect you with a veteran living close to your area - this might not always be possible.
Bank Account No: 12-3195-0002893-05 Particulars: Timor Doco Reference: (Name of your Association) |
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Merchandise
Children’s Book - Fittall the Flyer |
| Looking for a great story to read to children in the lead up to Anzac Day?
Fittall the Flyer is the heartwarming and true story of New Zealand Fighter Pilot Vaughan Fittall and his exploits during WW2.
Beautifully illustrated, the book doesn’t shy away from the realities of war, but takes the reader on a journey of hope, fear, triumph and love. |
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Packed with loads of interesting information on New Zealand’s war effort, and including a forward from Sir Tom Wallis (founder of Warbirds over Wanaka), the book is engaging for children and parents alike.
The book has been written by Toby Butland, who has generously offered to donate $5 to the RSA for each book sold.
You can learn more about the book and order your copy directly from the Author’s website: https://backintheday.co.nz/product/fittall-the-flyer/. Insert the code 13641 into the fundraising code field at checkout. |
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Smart Merino
As the weather begins to shift, it’s time to gear up for the chill. We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with a family-owned supplier renowned for their premium New Zealand-crafted merino and wool apparel.
Enjoy a 10% discount on their exquisite range of products. Plus they will donate 5% from each purchase to the RNZRSA. See the flyer below for more information, or visit smartmerino.co.nz/RSA to redeem your discount automatically with your order. |
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