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Over the years the NZ Federation has offered support and encouragement to members on a variety of fronts including:
Regional Meetings
Usually held annually in the different regions; full or part day programmes, including speakers, demonstrations, tours of local interest, an opportunity to share news of activities and concerns, refreshments and networking time. Hosted by member societies, and co-ordinated by the Federation Executive (currently through the vice-President, Kenneth Stringer).
Regional Outings
Usually one-day programmes held about six-monthly - including historical lectures, demonstrations, visits, and a meal (usually midday). Co-ordinated by the Federation Executive (currently through the vice-President, Kenneth Stringer). [ more on Events ]
Annual Conferences
Organised and hosted by a member society with the aim of moving around the country. The conferences include the AGM, and a variety of educational, historical and entertaining activities. Usually over a weekend in the autumn. [ more on Conferences ]
Communication
Written and now also by electronic messaging, through the quarterly newsletter, 'Keeping in Touch', and the Federation’s magazine, 'Legacy'.
Monetary Support for Projects
The Federation wishes to assist member societies where applicable with publication costs of historical writings. The Federation is fully aware of the tremendous efforts that many societies are making in the way of publications and this proposal may be of assistance to applicants getting over that final hurdle of publication costs. Any Society can apply to the Federation to see if it qualifies for assistance.
The maximum amount loaned for any one project will be $2,000, which is expected to be repaid within 18 months. The Federation has committed a block of money to this scheme, but accessibility by member societies relies on prompt repayment of the loans. For more detail see 'What we Can Do for You'.
LIAISON OFFICER
The position of Liaison Officer was created at the 2007 AGM of the Federation and immediate Past President Robin Astridge of the Cambridge Society was appointed.
The idea is that the Liaison Officer will offer another form of communication and support for member societies, and also act as a promoter of the Federation to societies who are not currently members of the Federation. Selected area visits will be undertaken at least once annually.
Click here to read Liaison Officer's Reports
Writing Contests
Over the years the Federation has organised writing contests for school age children, students, and adults, and articles from these competitions have been published in the newsletters and magazine. Trophies and prize money have been awarded. Currently the Writing contest has been removed from the Federation’s agenda, but some societies still hold local and regional competitions.
Application to Government for Setting up Grants to Societies
Between 2005 and 2007 the Federation actively worked on a project where they tried to get the Government to agree to set aside an annual grant of $50,000 to assist Historical and Museum Societies throughout New Zealand with projects up to the value of say $2,500. The idea was that this fund would be run by the Federation.
All member societies and some others were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing information about their society, and listing projects which required financial assistance. A selection of these was chosen for presentation to the Government with the submission.
Despite written submissions and face to face meetings with the Prime Minister (as Minister of Culture) and Judith Tizard on more than one occasion, the Federation was not successful in this request. However it was a very useful project - in that it gave the Federation information about the sort of projects being undertaken up and down the country.
The idea is still alive, but is 'on hold' at present, until politicians can be convinced of the need for this type of scheme - run by historical people for historical projects.
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