MNZ Volunteer Awards 2021 Nominations Open

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MNZ Volunteer Awards 2021 Nominations Open


The purpose of these awards is to highlight the volunteer effort required to support families with multiples in New Zealand. The awards recognise individual achievement, while publicly acknowledging all voluntary effort. These awards are an opportunity for members, clubs and Multiples NZ to publicly express thanks to our volunteers.

All the information and nomination forms are available below. 

Nominations will close at 11pm, 1 September 2021.

AWARD CATEGORIES

EMERGING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a volunteer who has stepped up and made a difference in their club or the New Zealand multiples community in their first 18 months as a volunteer (either on a committee or in a specific volunteer role e.g. starting a sub-branch, running a playgroup, being a contact person). The award highlights not only their contribution thus far, but their potential/intention to contribute to the multiple’s community in the future. 

The volunteer must be a financial member of a Multiples NZ affiliated club or Multiples NZ

Prize includes $50 cash and $100 to the winner’s local Multiples NZ affiliated club.

 

SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a volunteer who has provided exceptional service by supporting a family or families with multiples in the past year. 

The volunteer must be a financial member of a Multiples NZ affiliated club or Multiples NZ

Prize includes $50 cash and $100 to the winners local Multiples NZ affiliated club.

 

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

This year the nominees of the Volunteer of the Year award will be made up of the award winners of the Volunteer of the Month Award. All monthly winners from September of the previous year through to the month of August will be considered as nominees for the Volunteer of the Year award.

The Volunteer of the Year is awarded to a volunteer who has provided exceptional service for the

betterment of families with multiples within their local area or nationally.

The volunteer must be a financial member of a Multiples NZ affiliated club or Multiples NZ

Prize includes $50 cash and $100 to the winner’s local Multiples NZ affiliated club.

 

 

COMMUNITY DEDICATION AWARD

Awarded to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to their club or the New Zealand multiples community for at least five years regardless of their role – from committee members to those people helping behind the scenes. 

Prize includes $50 cash and $100 to the winner’s local Multiples NZ affiliated club.

 

CLUB OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a Multiples NZ affiliated club that encompasses all or some of the following attributes:

  • Has built and/or maintains a strong sense of belonging in its members.
  • There has been significant membership growth and retention of members.
  • Develops and implements innovative projects that support the needs of multiple families
  • Is governed by a committee that acts in the best interests its member families, understands its responsibilities and has systems in place to exercise them properly.
  • Shows a willingness to share ideas and experiences at a national level.
  • Grows and maintains positive relationships with the wider community, support agencies and national sponsors.
  • Recovered after facing significant challenges such as dwindling membership, lack of committee or finances.

Must be a financial member of Multiples NZ

$300 cash prize

 

NOMINATIONS

In all categories, the person nominated must be a “volunteer” – defined as someone who does not derive a significant source of income from the role that they fulfil. They may receive honorarium or expenses in completing the role that they are nominated for.

 

Many volunteers could qualify in more than one category. However, the nomination of a person may be for only one category each year. It is acknowledged that many volunteers’ efforts are the result of several years of commitment and involvement, so a nomination may recognise the volunteer’s total contribution to the New Zealand multiples community, over the last few years.

 

Membership status of those nominees for awards which specify the recipient must be a financial member of a Multiples NZ affiliated club or Multiples NZ will be confirmed with the relevant clubs. Nominees for the Community Dedication award do not have to be financial members of a club.

Nomination forms are to be emailed to awards@multiples.org.nz with the subject line – Multiples NZ Award Nomination 2021. 

An important aspect of ensuring your nomination has every chance of success is to make sure you complete each section thoroughly. Please provide all the information requested in detail.

 

Nominations will close at 11 pm, 1 September 2021.

 

JUDGING

The judging panel will consist of:

  • Multiples NZ President
  • Multiples NZ Patron
  • Multiples NZ Life member
  • A New Zealand based experienced Volunteer

 

In the event that a large number of nominations are received, they will be reviewed by the Multiples NZ President and Vice President. Depending on the number received, nominations will be shortlisted to five finalists in each category and presented to the panel for final judging.

 

The judges’ decision is final and no other correspondence will be entered into.

 

PRESENTATION

The winners will be announced at the Multiples NZ Gala Dinner on Saturday 6th November in Christchurch.  Each winner of an award will receive a cash prize and a donation will be made to the winner’s local Multiples NZ affiliated Club. 

 

Those category winners not in attendance on the night will be contacted following the announcement.

 

PRIZES

Each recipient of an award will receive a combination of a cash prize, a certificate and a donation to their local Multiples NZ affiliated club. Each recipient will determine how the cash donation is to be spent in their community. This will be coordinated by Multiples NZ and communicated to the recipient Club. The recipient club will be required to produce a report about how the funds were spent in the community suitable to be included in the Multiples NZ magazine.

Multiples NZ will forever be grateful for the many hours that volunteers give to supporting families with twins and triplets and more throughout New Zealand.

VOLUNTEER-AWARDS-2021-Information-Application-Pack.docx-1.pdf (905 downloads)

 

MNZ-Volunteer-Awards-2021-Nomination-Form-1.docx (982 downloads)

 

MNZ-Volunteer-Awards-2021-Nomination-Form-Club-of-the-Year-1.docx (889 downloads)
Butterfly

The Purple Butterfly initiative

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 The Neonatal Trust and Multiples New Zealand have partnered up to bring the ‘Purple Butterfly’ initiative to New Zealand. Both organisations share a common objective of supporting families facing stress and anxiety due to the arrival of new babies.

The Purple Butterfly sticker initiative has been developed in the United Kingdom by Millie Smith after the passing of one of her newborn twin daughters. Her daughter Skye had been diagnosed at 12 weeks with anencephaly and only lived for three hours after birth.

The family was allowed privacy, so when a parent of crying twins staying at the same hospital unwittingly commented that Smith was lucky she did not have twins, Millie was devastated. She believes that “A simple sticker would have avoided that entire situation.”

This emotional experience prompted Smith develop the purple butterfly initiative to represent the loss from a multiple and to make a difference to grieving families.
For more details about Millie’s experience, visit: www.babble.com/parenting/butterfly-stickers-milli-smith/

Neil O’Styke, Executive Director of The Neonatal Trust, said that “the Purple Butterfly initiative is great and will assist families struggling with the process of mourning the loss of one child while also looking after and bonding with another”.

It is more likely for a multiple pregnancy to result in premature birth. Carolyn Lister, President of Multiples NZ says “40% of twins are born early, as well as 90% of triplets. The gestational period is shorter than single births and as such they are subject to further risk”.

A Givealittle page has been developed to:
· Raise funds for a donation to the Skye High Foundation, in recognition of the work undertaken developing this concept and the resources
· Develop the Purple Butterfly initiative for use in New Zealand NICUs and SCBUs
· Supply Purple Butterfly stickers and create posters and resources to explain their purpose.

The initial goal is to raise $5,000. If this is exceeded, The Neonatal Trust will use this to provide additional support of neonatal families in New Zealand. Further, a joint resource development project between The Neonatal Trust and Multiples NZ is planned.

New Zealand is a world leader in neonatal care and research with an incredibly high survival rate for newborns. Unfortunately a very small number of babies do not survive, the families are supported through the grieving process and cherish any memories of their child.

Note to editors
Images are available for use. For these, and more information on The Neonatal Trust and neonatal care in general, please contact:
Neil O’Styke, Executive Director
The Neonatal Trust (Registered Charity CC42886)
neil.ostyke@neonataltrust.org.nz  www.neonataltrust.org.nz

For more information on Multiples New Zealand, please contact:
Carolyn Lister, President
Multiples New Zealand (Registered Charity CC48192)

For reference:
Donations to help bring the Purple Butterfly initiative to New Zealand can be made on a specifically created Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/purplebutterfly2nz

For more information about The Neonatal Trust visit www.neonataltrust.org.nz

The Purple Butterfly initiative in Australia: http://www.amba.org.au/amba-launches-the-purple-butterfly-initiative-to-help-bereaved-families-of-twins-triplets-or-more.html

Multiples Awareness Week 2019

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Multiples New Zealand and the community of local organisations that supports New Zealand’s families with twins, triplets and more is celebrating Multiples Awareness Week from 24 February to 2 March.

Many parents of multiples feel isolated and overwhelmed due to their unique situation. Mental health issues occur at a much higher rate in parents of multiples. A strong sense of belonging is essential for good mental health and wellbeing. Our network fosters these connections by linking families to a community of local families with multiples.

Those who actively ‘share the journey’ with their peers often develop strong bonds and lifelong friendships through the shared experience of parenting multiples and the many unique joys and challenges this brings.

By getting involved in club activities such as information sessions and playgroups, parents will have the opportunity to share their stories, knowledge and skills as well as offering words of reassurance and encouragement that build confidence and a sense of belonging.

We know that parenting multiples is a journey best shared. Through our national Facebook campaign we will be encouraging our wider membership to share stories, photos and connect with others.

Volunteer Awards 2018 Results

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Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and thank you to all those who submitted a nomination.

It’s time to announce the WINNERS of the Multiples NZ Volunteer Awards for 2018. 

The Volunteer Awards were presented at the Multiples NZ National Training Forum Gala Dinner, held in Wellington at the Brentwood Hotel on Saturday 27th of October 2018.

‘Emerging Leader’ Award 2018

Awarded to a volunteer who has stepped up and made a difference in their club or the New Zealand multiples community in their first 18 months as a volunteer (either on a committee or in a specific volunteer role e.g. starting a sub-branch, running a playgroup, being a contact person). The award highlights not only their contribution thus far, but their potential/intention to contribute to the multiples community in the future.

Prize includes $50 cash and $100 to the winner’s local Multiples NZ affiliated club.