Wellington Region AGM - Chairperson Report

Robbie Wathne (Treasurer), Karen Clarke (Chair), Joanna Ludbrook (Secretary)

Wellington Regional Report for AGM 2014

After our AGM last year held at Wellington College, thank you Brent, the Wellington Committee ran a very successful Slanza National Conference. After 2 years of planning, meetings and very hard work the 2013 Slanza National conference was held at Wellington Girls College in July.  Even though the weather tried to stop delegates from arriving, an excellent conference was enjoyed by all. We had 215 delegates, 55 of those were first time attendees. The author’s breakfasts were well attended, as well as the dinner at the spectacular Te Papa.  The workshop timetable was full with a variety of workshops.  The trade stand space was full and the trade people said they had a very good conference. Eventually after everyone had left and the committee had finally sat down we found we had made a small profit which we sent to National Executive for the next conference in Christchurch in 2015.

Overall it was an amazing experience to be part of the organising committee one which I would recommend to anyone. Even though it seems a monumental task when you begin, with a great team you can achieve it.

Our next event in term 3 was at Scots College. Thank you Sue, Sue reprised her workshop that she had presented entitled ‘Bring the boys in’. Also we had two people talk about their conference experiences as they were recipients of the free registration that we offered.

Our term 4 meeting was held at Tawa Intermediate, thank you Elaine. We had 3 more recipients of the free registration talk about their experiences at conference.  We also farewelled Linda Forbes, long time National Library representative.  We also said thanked and farewelled Michelle Whiting the outgoing Chair of Wellington region. We were very lucky to have Michele’s wealth of experience as a Principal as the head of our conference committee. Then Karen Clarke, took over the Chair of Wellington region.

This year we started off with our term 1 event which was held at Raroa Intermediate, thank you Clare. the event started with a presentation to Adaire Hannah of  her Life Membership Badge for her efforts on behalf of Slanza and the Wellington region. We then listened to Matt McGregor regarding Creative Commons issues.  A lively discussion enthused after his talk suggesting that we found the ideas he presented fascinating.

The main project for the Wellington committee this year as all regions is the Membership Drive. Membership of Slanza has fallen over the last few years.  There are many reasons for this including funding cuts to libraries, libraries being shut, staffing of libraries, lack of a National Library presence in regions and lack of transparent communication by National Executive.

Being the Wellington National Executive representative for Wellington I hope you will find that we have rectified that concern.

 Our committee has contacted all non-member schools in the Wellington region and we will be bring them up to date with the advantages of being a slanza member.

As Bridget Schaumann the President of Slanza stated ‘ Slanza is all about community.  the membership fee of $50 has not gone up in 12 years. For that fee you get regularly meetings with people who do what you do, who work at a similar coalface as you do and have the same work problems you do’

The Wellington committee is committed to providing the Wellington region professional Development opportunities each term that is relevant to school libraries.  We know there are concerns regarding time constraints and distance travelled for our members and this is taken into consideration when organizing an event. In the coming year we intend to have events throughout the Wellington region and I hope to see many new faces at each event.


NE report 2014 AGM

At the last AGM it was reported that Michele Whiting had stepped down from the NE rep role and Karen Clarke had filled that role.  Each year as the NE rep you attend three weekend meetings during the year.  Usually held in March, July and November.  Since the last AGM NE has:

1.    Seen Fiona Mackie s handover the Presidents role to Bridget Schaumann

2.    NE was involved with the National Reading Initiative by attending the Creating Readers hui in Auckland.

3.    We presented the Slanza awards and Life memberships recognising excellence in school libraries.

4.    NE commented on the Ted Dawe ‘Into the river’ controversy

5.    NE published 3 editions of the online magazine Collected

6.    The NZ Education Gazette published an article entitled ‘The transformation of school libraries’ which NE was asked to participate.

7.    The online professional development has started and each course has been oversubscribed.

8.    During the year LIANZA and National Library visited and communicate with NE during the weekend meetings

9.    The Pool of Talent was started

10.  We commented on the closure of Learning Media

11.  We added a new registration resource to the website

12.  We were asked to participate in the Reading for Pleasure survey by the Book Council

13.  We notice the rise of MLE and are taking an interest in their development and how they include school libraries.

14.  We commented on the closure of schools and their libraries in Christchurch

15.  All regions in New Zealand have participated in the membership drive.

16.  Have presented the seed money to Aoraki in anticipation of the 2015 national conference to be held in Christchurch in September.

The National Executive  aims to strengthen and promote the role of school libraries, to enable all school communities to become information literate.

Karen Clarke
Chair- Wellington Region

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Librarian's trying to solve quiz questions

After our AGM we had a brain testing quiz run by Clare Forrest and Marianne Dobie.  There were great prizes and some very funny responses to questions.  Great fun was had by all.  Thank you team for the convivial conversations, food and drink.