One of our longest standing and most committed volunteers has left us for a new life in OZ. Richard Webster moved from Wellington to Brisbane with his family just before the floods arrived there. Not a good move I hear you say, and I heartily agree. Richard was our treasurer and accountant for ten years and now we need to find a replacement!
You may well never have heard of Richard. Though a long standing committee member, he generally worked quietly behind the scenes. Highly qualified, competent, patient, reliable and unflappable, Richard has given a huge amount of time to Nga Uruora for which we are deeply grateful. No more so than in the past few years when funding requirements have become tighter and tighter, a process which required us to professionalise. We no longer apply for a grant – receive the money – spend it and then apply for another one. Successful funding applications now entitle us to submit invoices for expenses incurred.
Moving from the old way to the new was a difficult process since the new regime requires we spend the grant before we receive any money. In practice this meant working for a period of about three months entirely unfunded. Such a change could bankrupt an organisation. The non-profit sector being prohibited from borrowing money, this may have been the aim, but they didn’t get rid of US! We were safely navigated through this process by Richard Webster, and Eileen Lockherd both of whom have the patience of saints. Our administration staff were successfully inducted into the mysteries of MYOB; we now have an understanding of budgets, invoicing and cash flow; and acronyms like gst and ird hold no terrors.
But, first Eileen, and now Richard have moved on and though we can still crunch the numbers there is a requirement for financial oversight by someone competent or qualified. This could be an accountant, a Treasurer, informed membership of our Finance sub committee, or all three. Without this oversight, our ability to apply for government funds will be compromised if not curtailed altogether.
Now I’d rather be up a hill cutting boxthorn – in the rain; but Richard and Eileen are living proof that some people prefer playing with numbers. If you are such a person and are looking for a way to contribute to the community or an organisation like Nga Uruora, please get in touch. If not, please pass this email on to someone who might be.
Hoping to hear from you. Or Call Joe on +64 4 905 4473