Forums update August 2017 Posted by Posted by Linda Skates on 3 August 2017 Posted on: 3 August 2017

On the 1^st and 2^nd August 2017 there were three forums held in the MidCentral region. 

The focus of each forum was to discuss key messages from the recently released Cabinet paper on System Transformation and to select local leaders onto the MidCentral  Regional Leadership Group (RLG).

The MidCentral  Regional Leadership Group will:

• Promote and protect Enabling Good Lives (EGL) principles and values that System Transformation is based on
• Contribute to local prototype implementation
• Give direction to System Transformation ‘management’ team
• Provide feedback to the Minister
• Provide connection between local/regional transformation and National EGL Leadership Group
• Ensure a clear understanding of the priorities and perspectives of disabled people, their families/whānau and service providers
• Ensure the system will be accountable locally
• Create an ‘honourable space’ that promotes accessible and inclusive communities
• Bring key stakeholders together to discuss key issues of the community

There were a number of motivated and highly skilled people who presented an expression of interest to be involved in the MidCentral RLG. The people, selected by the forums, for the MidCentral Regional Leadership Group are:

Disabled people: Rachael Burt, Martin Sullivan, Antnz Burgess, Rose Boddy and Peter Allen

Families: Zandra Vaccarino, Pip Brunn and Selwyn Bennett

Service Providers: Carol Searle, Marshall Te Tau and Janice Gordon

People First, Mana Whenua and Pasifika are in the process of selecting RLG members.

A profile of all leadership group members will be available when the full group is confirmed. 

MidCentral Regional Leadership Group 1^st meeting: Wednesday 6^th September

All forums (i.e. disabled persons, families/whānau and service providers), chose to establish a “core group”. 

The core group will meet prior to each RLG meeting and its purpose is to:

• Support the people they selected to be on the RLG
• Provide guidance to their members on the RLG
• Offer a space where a wider group of interested local people can discuss ideas, potential impacts and perspectives on suggested changes
• Ensure there are informed people who can step in, when required, if a member of the RLG is unable to attend a meeting
• Assist with hosting community forums
• Provide a place where people with specific experiences and expertise can offer their views to the local leaders before RLG meetings

It was agreed the core group membership would be organic and flexible.  People will self-select, with the understanding that consistent participation is desirable.  The core groups will be focussed ‘working groups’ and will meet monthly for approximately 1 ½ hours each month.

• Participation in core group meetings is voluntary
• Local leaders on the RLG will attend core group meetings.

People interested in being involved in a core group can email Mark Benjamin at samsmb@xtra.co.nz .  Individuals who indicate an interest will be directly emailed with confirmed times, dates and pre-reading materials for these meetings.