EWB July Monthly Update
UPDATES FOR JULY
Engineers Without Borders NZ Conference
On Saturday 16th the inaugural Engineers Without Borders NZ Conference brought together 200 people from around New Zealand and Australia who were interested in knowing more about engineering in the developing world or who were looking to hone their current skills. The conference was a big success with speakers giving passionate talks on ending poverty, disaster relief and how the success of engineering projects is closely linked to culture and politics. Oxfam NZ’s Executive Director Barry Coates gave a particularly thought provoking key note speech on the difference clean water and sanitation can make to the lives of those less fortunate. It was a great day to mingle with like-minded individuals and the stage is set for 2012.
Thank you to all who attended and we welcome your feedback on the event!
Clean Water for Life Programme
Did you know 1 billion people in the world lack access to clean water to drink and cook with? Are there any solutions to this global problem? Yes! There are now 300 year 9 students from Epsom Girls Grammar School, Alfriston College and Mount Roskill Grammar School in Auckland that can tell you all about cheap and simple yet life-saving technologies that could provide clean water to those in need. Thank you to the 20 EWB volunteers who have presented our Clean Water for Life programme this year; you may have helped inspire and motivate a brilliant future social entrepreneur or development practitioner that will eradicate this problem once and for all.
We have recently completed a volunteer training session in Wellington and will have some training workshops in Auckland at the end of August. If you are interested in volunteering please email schools@ewb.org.nz. When training dates have been confirmed they will be posted online at www.ewb.org.nz/education
EWB Takes Part in the NZ Pacific Mission for 2nd Year
EWB volunteer and Auckland Professional Chapter Committee member James Russell travelled to Tonga, Samoa, The Cook Islands and Niue with the Pacific Mission, a group of civil servants, MPs, local government officials and NGO workers led by Hon. Murray McCully, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. James attended as the EWB representative, with the purpose of scoping future projects in the region and to meet with other people conducting development work in the Pacific.
Among opportunities found for development projects where EWB can potentially contribute to, renewable energy generation stood out in several of the visited nations. This is highlighted by the Cook Islands government’s plan to have a 100% renewable energy supply by 2020. Other areas of potential engagement included technical support to local industries and the local support groups such as the Samoan based Women in Business Development Incorporated (WIBDI) that supports these. Watch out for the full article on James’ visit, which will be included in the Quarterly newsletter. Contact James Russell at james.russell@ewb.org.nz for more information.
EWB Receives a Mention in NZAID Official Newsletter
As you may be aware EWBNZ has been working with MFAT and NZAID on a rain water harvesting system in Kiribati. The project was profiled in this month’s NZAID News Letter. Check it out here!
EWB Canterbury University Office Now Open!
We're excited to announce that our University of Canterbury office is now up and running. Drop by Room 338C (next to the drawing room) to catch up with Sam and the Canterbury Students Chapter. A huge thank you to the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for hosting us!
UPCOMING EVENTS
EWB Running Without Borders
Running Without Borders is an initiative that EWBNZ has been organising for the past few years. It involves students getting their friends, family and others to sponsor them because they have taken up the challenge of running a long distance event. This year’s Auckland event will culminate in the 10km, 21km or 42km events in the Waitakere Ranges on the 17th September. The funds raised will go toward the implementation of a wastewater system for Tavolavola School on Ambae Island, Vanuatu. The students from the Canterbury chapter have been working on this project for the last 18 months and need require funds to see it completed! If you wish to take part in the event, email Stella at rwb@ewb.org.nz or to make a donation head to the fundraising page http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/EWBRunningWithoutBorders/
Auckland Students Chapter Getting Their Running Shoes On
The Auckland Students Chapter will be strapping on their running shoes in six weeks time to take on the Arthur Lydiard half marathon to help raise funds for EWB. If you're interested in supporting the team please contact William Mao: william.miao@ewb.org.nz
Project Zero Campaign
As Engineers looking to confront poverty and improve the quality of life of communities in the Pacific and NZ it is hard to avoid the ever growing impacts of climate change. Extreme weather events and the risings sea levels are already having a devastating impact on Pacific nations, as are the rising living costs brought about climate related droughts, floods and crop failures.
As young New Zealanders and Engineers we have a role to play in ensuring our country and community does its share in taking on the climate crisis and our dependence on fossil fuels. As such we have joined an alliance of other youth organsations in the Generation Zero campaign that aims to make a push for greater ambition in reducing our emissions and more sustainable policy at the upcoming general election and beyond. To find out more or keen to get involved click here or get in contact Danidu at danidu.wijekoon@ewb.org.nz
Financial Budgeting and Reporting for NGOs
This workshop will provide participants with practical information and exercises in developing budgets, using principles of zero-based budgeting, creating budgets by objectives, using MFAT/SDF budget templates. The financial reporting component will consider contract compliance issues in donor reporting, designing financial reporting for partner use, and consolidating reporting for MFAT/SDF requirements. MFAT staff will also be presenting.
Date and Time: Wednesday 17 August, 09.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Oxfam, Auckland
Contact: rachel.vince@oxfam.org.nz
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Vice President
Assists the chapter president in all of their duties which includes overall coordination of Auckland Professionals chapter, reporting & liaison with National group, networking, presenting to prospective sponsors, volunteers, partners, clients while representing the chapter and EWB. They will also assist the president on matters such as carrying out project reviews, lessons learnt sessions, helping coordinate resources from chapter to assist other chapters when needed (and vice versa) , and act as a contact point for members of other chapters.
Secretary
Organises regular committee meetings, arrange meeting locations, prepare minutes and agenda. The Secretary also answers queries or forwards them to relevant persons within EWB, maintains the Auckland Professional Chapter member list, keeps Teamview document sharing portal updated, and distributes information relevant to team members. Ensures membership fees are paid, records ‘time sheets’ to keep track of the number of fortnightly hours members have spent on EWB work and edits documentation such as reports. Finally, ensures that all key names and contact details across the organisations are updated distributed to membership.
The secretary is one of the most important chapter members that ensures the smooth functioning and productivity of the chapter. He/she will also be required to take on the duties of the president if both the president and vice president are away.
Engineers Without Borders
Nga Kaihanga Kore Here o Aotearoa