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When
300 Citizens Advice Bureau workers gather in one place there's a
lot to talk about. Like the fact that they dealt with over half
a million enquiries in the past year, or five million in the past
decade. Or that they provide at least 550,000 hours of service free
of charge each year.
The
bureau workers attending their national organisation's AGM and conference
at Victoria University this weekend will represent their 2,400 colleagues
working in 91 bureaux spread between Kaitaia and Invercargill. They
will debate national information systems, membership standards and
a number of issues around service delivery.
The
CAB workforce is one that many businesses envy. They turn up at
least once a week for work without being paid, they are committed
to a high standard of service delivery to their clients, they are
loyal, dedicated and their love for what they do drives their work.
Christchurch
Central MP and backbencher responsible for the International Year
of Volunteers, Tim Barnett, will thank the bureau workers for their
work at an event that will take place at lunchtime on Saturday.
The bureau workers will be given a gift by the Association in appreciation
for their continual efforts over the years. Many of those at the
conference have volunteered for CAB for over 10 years.
CAB's
popularity lies in the fact that it's a free service providing information,
advice and support to anyone about anything. Last year for example,
top enquiries included queries and complaints about consumer goods
and services, requests for budgeting assistance and free legal advice,
employment contracts and conditions of work, benefit enquiries and
contact details for sports, music, arts and social activities.
Each
bureau worker undertakes a basic training course when they enrol
with CAB that covers communication skills, Treaty of Waitangi issues,
information retrieval and a range of other skills that are needed
to be a CAB worker.
Nick
Toonen, Chief Executive Officer of the national Association that
represents and supports the 91 bureaux, stresses the importance
of the human touch. "The personal touch is a central value of the
Citizens Advice Bureau service, and the human contact that bureau
workers provide is a vital part of the support clients receive.
"We
also recognise that information technology increases the opportunities
for clients to access information. CAB has a web site (www.cab.org.nz)
which offers information about topics such as the breakdown of relationships,
the Disputes Tribunal and the rights and responsibilities of landlords
and tenants, as well as how to contact your nearest CAB.
"Or
people can call 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222) at no cost to themselves.
Retaining personal contact while extending the technological options
available to clients for connecting with our services is critical
to our future," Nick Toonen says. |
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