White Ribbon Day - 25th November 2007
White Ribbon day is the day set aside internationally to promote the elimination of violence against women and children. It is a day where men recognise their responsibility to assist all men to learn to live in a non violent way. The KWC applauds and supports this sentiment.
A group from Kapiti Women’s Centre gathered near the Boat Club at Paraparaumu Beach with other supporters of White Ribbon day. Wearing our KWC T-shirts we moved with the crowd onto the beach where everyone held hands, chatting and watching the line grow. Our voices were drowned out as Bag Pipers approached leading another line of people from further down the beach. The two lines merged holding hands and were lead by the pipers up the sand dunes, through the park and then over the bridge. As the procession gathered by the stream, we were formally welcomed by local Iwi and the procession moved to our final meeting place behind the Boat Club. A Karakia was spoken then young children sang Maori action songs. Once the entertainment finished Jenny Rowan, our Mayor, welcomed everyone and spoke about the history of White Ribbon Day and what White Ribbon Day means to Kapiti. Other people spoke with Men for Non Violence ending the afternoon speeches. Everyone was invited to say and share a BBQ.
KWC has made a commitment to support White Ribbon day. Wearing the white ribbon is a personal pledge not to commit, condone, or remain silent, about violence towards women and girls.
KWC has supported White Ribbon day every year. Wearing the white ribbon is a personal pledge not to commit, condone, or remain silent, about violence towards women and girls
The Annual Fundraiser Quiz Night
Every year the collective raises funds for our annual planning team building hui. We also fundraise for equipment and other items required to operate the Centre. This year we have also established a building fund for future additions to the building.
This is the biggest fundraising event the collective plans. Along with our goal to raise money, Quiz night provides an opportunity to promote the Centre and the work we do. Our communicty provides wonderful support for this fundraising event, without them we would not be able to provide such a fun evening. A big thank you to all our supporters. A list of our supporters are acknowledged in our Newsletter.
The venue again was held at the Community Centre where our long suffering friend and supporter Pat allows us to take over the Centre for the evening.
Our compere was "Mother Goose" our very own Carine ably supported by Nicci who was the sole judge for the evening. Onerous taks done with good humour and panache. Dressing up for play is fun so KWC honours this year with the Colours theme, and may of our guests dressed up for the ocassion and they love doing so.
Our pamper yourself raffle is as ever popular a basket full of goodies donated by the collective and the community - DONNA was our winner this year.
Hui 2007
Every year the collective goes away for a huit. Why do thatù You ask. The reasons are varied and many. KWC is one organisation is by its nature very diverse with many women working in various sectors of the organisation to ensure that we provide the best possible service to women in our community. However, this often means that we are working in isolated groups, often not seeing each other and communicating via email, notes and phone calls. Hui is one of those occasions when the collective has the opportunity to be together, spending time in each other's company to know each other better, sharing stories about our work at the centre, our vision and passion for the work we do and our hopes and dreams for this wonderful place we call the KWC.
Intrepid, brave and courageous! Big words that command respect and condiseration. We push those comfort zones, let ourselves be challenged and give it our best shot! We had fun this year, the highlight being an entertaining of various performances. We had Boots made for Walking, a most fun-inspired performance and giggles abound. "Jacinderella" a twist to the classic interpretation by the Centre Workers and a wacky version of "The 3 little pigs". Such an enormous effort on everyone's part to make it a success, filled with fun and laughter.
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Annual KWC Banquet 2007
Every year, the collective recognises those women who train to become Centre Workers and to volunteer their time to provide services at the Centre. It is also a time to acknowledge those women who excel in their work and those who are moving on to other things.
Sopranos was the venue for the annual Kapiti Womens Centre Banquet. The theme for the evening was a “Masquerade”. In true collective fashion, the women dressed to reflect their view of the world - a myriad of styles and approaches.
The evening begun in recognising the new graduates - Barb, Charlotte, Lisa, Sara and Sherrie. These women were presented with certificates of achievement for having completed all the elements required to become Centre Workers. They attended a twenty four hour training programme, did six hours of practical training and completed thirty hours practicum - wonderful
achievement!
In between the wonderful meal that we enjoyed, there were also presentations to the women who had given more than two years service to the collective. Carine, Glen, Kerry and Trish received certificates to mark this remarkable milestone.
Then sadly there were farewells to be said. Julie has served for three years at the Centre, as a Centre Worker and a member of Hub. Julie found herself an exciting new position where she can indulge her passion for music. Unfortunately for us that meant that she does not have time to give to the centre on a regular basis. Marguerite joined the counselling team in 2002. In this time she took part in the review of the counselling service, offered her wisdom to the many women who came to see her, mentored new counsellors and took a full part in collective activities. Our last farewell was to Sara who has served the collective in many capacities, firstly as a Centre Worker, then a Counsellor and finally as the Chairperson of the HUB management team. Sara gave her all to these roles, sharing her knowledge, insight, energy and leadership. It was sad to farewell these women who have served the collective so well. We wish them well in their new adventures and trust that they will not be strangers and will remember their time at KWC with fondness.
The final awards were to Alison, Carine, Carol, Faye and Kerry in acknowledgement of all the extra tasks they take on to ensure that the collective operates in the very best possible way, offering an ethical, valuable and effective service to the women in our community. It was a wonderful evening of celebration of endeavour by all the women of the collective who give so freely and willingly to others - an inspiration to us all!
The Kapiti's Womens & Girls Triathlon & Duathlon
4th March
The iconic event encourages the women and girls to "give it a go". A dearest dream come true is a sentiment shared by the many women who took part in the Kapiti womens Triathlon. The castles poem in our March newsletter may seem like a fairy tale wish, women have done just as it prescribes - dreamed a dream, worked to make it happen and reaped the rewards of their achievement. For some it was to better their last efforts, for others it was a fun and casual morning's exercise, but the day belonged to the first timers, whose nerves and anxiety turned to relief and jubilation as they cross the finis line. That was where the cameradie of women supporting women was felt the most - the looks on their faces as they realised that their dream is a reality. So although many may not realise it, taking part in a triathlon is not to get fit and go fast. The experience of empowerment of making your dream come true.
Ballentyne's Fashion Parade
A Fashion Parade was a new fundraising venture for the collective. This event was sponsored and supported by Ballentynes. Julie thought it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to raise additional funds for the Centre and then promptly set about organising the collective to ensure it happened. Some shy, hesitant and reluctant collective members were persuaded to be models and like so many experiences at the Kapiti Women’s Centre, it was one that women thought they would never be able to do. As Glen said “ When I joined the Centre I never thought I would being doing half the things I have done in the past two years!” However in true KWC fashion, the eight models overcame their inhibitions gaining a sense of achievement for taking on the challenge and succeeding. “I am so pleased I did this - it was an amazing experience and so good for me”, was Charlottes response after the parade was over!
We would like to thank Pat, Fiona and the staff at Ballentynes and the Health and Beauty students at Whiteria for their wonderful organisation, support and encouragement.
Garage Sale
There are two intrepid women in the collective, Carine and Glen, who just love Garage Sales to the extent that they organised a second sale for the year.
Garage sales fit within the ethos of the Kapiti Women’s Centre, so is a fitting way for us to raise money by recycling our “no longer needed goodies”. A team from the collective were there to set up on Friday and others were there bright and early on Saturday morning ready and waiting for the bargain hunters.
