|
"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," says Nick Toonen, the
new Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand of Citizens Advice
Bureaux (NZACAB).
Nick
Toonen is visiting a number of Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) in
Auckland City on October 5 and attending the AGM of the North Region
of CAB (which covers 34 bureaux between Kaitaia and South Auckland)
on October 6.
Without
the 2,700 volunteers who staff the country's 91 CABs, there would
be no CAB service, says Nick Toonen. "I want to acknowledge the
incredible contribution that volunteers generally make to this country,
and to focus in particular on those who give their time and energy
to CAB.
"The
contribution that CAB volunteers make to their community is enormous.
They provide free information, advice, support and advocacy to a
diverse range of people on many issues. Between July 1999 and June
2000 bureaux workers advised over half a million New Zealanders.
Nationally they are to be commended for their commitment to providing
the best possible service to those seeking assistance.
"Members
of the public are often not aware of the time and energy that CAB
volunteers put into their bureau. Every bureaux has agreed to a
set of standards (through the national Association) that ensures
quality and national consistency in the fundamental aspects of information
and advice service provision. In order to meet these standards,
they are required to take part in ongoing training courses, and
ensure their bureau is up to standard. All this involves a lot of
extra time in addition to the three hours of direct service each
bureau worker gives every week.
"While
the strength of the CAB service is the human contact that bureau
workers provide, 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."
Next
year has been designated International Year of Volunteers by the
United Nations and the NZACAB encourages people to acknowledge all
volunteers in their community.
|
![To see what social issues we are currently working on [through advocacy and media]](../../images/socialp.GIF){kind=small}
