BLUESKIN RESILIENT COMMUNITIES TRUST

by Scott Willis

The start of the new financial year (1 April) is when the trustees of the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust (BRCT) set their annual work plan. This year, funding support from the Lottery Grants Board, the Otago Community Trust and the Hikurangi Foundation have ensured we can begin our year well. Our annual plan is ambitious and we want to thank these key supporters of our community work.

Our Annual General Meeting is earlier this year than in previous years, to keep in line with our financial year. BRCT's mission is "to strengthen our communities in the immediate, mid- and long-term future with emphasis on energy, food, water and community resilience". One of our long-standing trustees is stepping down at this AGM and BRCT is inviting expressions of interest from those in the community who would be prepared to serve on the trust. The range of the trust's activities can best be seen on the BRCT website: www.blueskinpower.co.nz. If you want more information or want to indicate an interest in serving on the trust please contact one of the trust's co-chairs by email: Chris Skellett: skellett@actrix.co.nz or Ross Johnston: ross.johnston@otago.ac.nz. The AGM date is Friday 31 May, and it will be held at 7:30pm in the Waitati Hall. All are welcome.

We also want to acknowledge the good work put in by the Waitati A&P Society at their recent Blueskin-on-Show day in Bland Park. They did an excellent job of pulling together the wide range of community organisations, local businesses, schools etc, and arranged perfect weather! Thank you for all your hard work. Most community interest at the BRCT stall was in: the Blueskin wind cluster, climate change planning, energy advice and the Solar Syndicate.

In March and April BRCT was invited to present in two national forums, the Wind Energy Association Conference and the Philanthropy Conference. Both forums provided good platforms but also, more importantly, opportunities to meet inspirational individuals, big-hearted philanthropists, and enthusiastic support organisations.

Visit us at at the office at 1121 Mt Cargill Rd, Waitati (on Waitati School grounds), or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blueskin-Resilient-Communities-Trust/180367402010248). Telephone us on 482 2048.