The YWCA goal of nurturing economic independence in young women is perfectly matched with Women in Super, who seek to spread the message about the need for women to be more financially aware throughout their lives, and to plan for their retirement.

The two organisations are running fun-filled financial lessons for life workshops for young women at high schools in Auckland and Wellington.  In Wellington, three workshops are being held to add to the school’s existing financial and accounting courses. In Auckland, as part of the YWCA Future Leaders Programme, the workshops are run by SavY, a student run charitable trust.

YWCA and Women in Super see this new partnership during Money Week as a great opportunity to improve the financial literacy of young New Zealand Women.

(from scoop.co.nz)

Many young women across Wellington spend a huge amount of money on their school or university ball or graduation ceremony – their ‘one night’ Cinderella experience.

YWCA spokesperson Vanisa Dhiru says, “With ball season kicking in (and we all know how much a night out, let alone a ball/graduation is) the YWCA is holding pre-loved ‘Cinderella Sales’.  There are two sales – the first to be held on the 16^th June in Porirua at Pataka Museum and the second in Lower Hutt on the 30^th June at The Dowse Art Museum”.

“We need your dresses – all shapes, colours and sizes. Young women come in all sizes and shapes so we need a huge range for them to select from”.

“Dresses will be priced between $25-45 each and evening bags will be sold at $10-15.  Only students with current school or university ID will be able to try on and purchase items from the sale – it’s going to be a fun day for dressing up and finding bargains!”

“If you don’t have any dresses of bags to donate, there are other ways to get involved with the event.  You or your business can sponsor a sale rack or help by being a collection point or holding a collection drive for people to donate dresses to”.

The YWCA will coordinate volunteers for the set-up and sale, including a group of volunteers from Eftpos New Zealand.

Vanisa says, “The YWCA started this concept in 2011 with great success in the Hutt Valley, but we think Porirua young women can definitely benefit from our work. Any proceeds from the sale are put back directly into programmes and services of the YWCA – that includes alcohol / self defence programmes and career talks in participating schools around the Greater Wellington region”.

If you are interesting in donating a dress or sponsoring a rack, email cinderellasale@ywcawellington.org.nz or ring/text Rachael Thwaites on 027 894 9632 or Lydia O’Regan-Barnett on 021 705 998.

The YWCA of Greater Wellington is an organisation which empowers and supports women to make positive life choices.  They run alcohol and self defence courses in schools and provide leadership opportunities for young women to experience good governance and management. www.ywcawellington.org.nz

This is a finance seminar, run by NZFGW Wellington Branch for women of the Wellington region (partners are welcome), in conjunction with the Financial Literacy and Retirement Income Commission and Massey University Wellington’s Centre for Personal Financial Education.

• Find out how to manage debt levels and protect your assets
• Learn the secrets of successful saving
• Make your money work for you by planning for the future you want
• Take home skills and information you can use immediately
• Learn to use the www.sorted.org.nz site

Don’t leave it too late to take care of yourself financially.
You put time and effort into your health, what you eat, and what you wear.
You put time into your family, your education, and your career.
You OWE it to yourself to spend time today to look after your tomorrows.

When: Saturday 9 June
Time: 10.00am – 3.45pm
Where: Massey University Wellington, Wallace St, Block 5, Level C
Cost:  $25.00 includes lunch and refreshments
Register by by Friday 1 June 2012 

Please send your registration to Jean Fuller gjfuller@clear.net.nz with subject line Financial Literacy Seminar, or send your registration from and cheque [made out to NZFGW (Wgtn)] to Financial Literacy Seminar, PO Box 2006, Wellington 6140 or Direct credit: NZFGW Wgtn [put your name under particulars and Fin Lit under reference] Westpac acc. # 03 0518 0180237 00

Who can attend?  Any woman who wants to learn how to look after her money. This is a practical, ‘hands on’ forum with excellent presenters and workshops to give you skills you can take home and use immediately. 

Lots of young women across our region could spend a huge amount of money on their school or university ball or graduation ceremony – their ‘one night’ Cinderella experience.  Our YWCA supports local young women to look great in affordable, recycled dresses… but we need your help.

We want your support to collect formal dresses and evening bags on our behalf.  We need your help – we want as many workplace and community collection points as possible, and lots of donations!

Interested in helping collect dresses?
Have something to donate?
Don’t have a dress to donate, but keen to sponsor a sale rack?

Collectors info and resources
Cinderella Sale 2012 – Collectors info
Cinderella Collectors Poster 2012 – colour

Confirm your support to cinderellasale@ywcawellington.org.nz or ring/text Lydia on 021 705 998.

In association with the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Shed 11, Wellington Waterfront from 27th April – 8th July 2012, 10.30am – 4.30pm daily. Admission is free.

In conjunction with the exhibition a speaker series of ‘brown bag lunches’ will take place every Wednesday t 1pm in the Gallery. The talks will last for around 20 minutes.

2nd May – Bev Short – “My All Woman Journey”
9th May – Catriona Williams – “Dare to Dream”. Catriona is an ex international equestrian and founder of the CatWalk charity for research into spinal injury.
16th May – Melissa Clark Reynolds – “Women and Money”. Melissa is an entrepreneur and CEO of minimonos.com
23rd May – Elena – “My Blessed Life as a Violinist”. Elena has a successful solo career as well as being part of the Wellington Vector Orchestra.
30th May – Jules Esther – “Our young people are our greatest resource – Let’s get
along side them.” Jules is a guidance counsellor at Paraparaumu College.
6th June –
Rae Julian – “Women and the UN”. Rae is Chair of the UN Women Aotearoa NZ National Committee
13th June – Prue Hyman – “The F word – why we still need feminist analysis”. Prue is part of the Wellington Womens Studies Association.
20th June – Dr Rosy Fenwicke – “To be or Not to be. Who makes the decisions…. Women and abortion in the 21st century.” Rosy has been a doctor for thirty years and now concentrates on Occupational Health and Women’s Health.
27th June – Ruth Herbert – “Violence against women – our national shame”. Ruth is Director of Family Violence with the Ministry of Social Development.
4th July – Kerry Prendergast – “My Defining Five C’s”. Kerry is ex mayor of Wellington and now Chairs the NZ Tourism Board and is Executive Chair of the NZ International Arts Festival.

Bev is also available to escort school trips and visits from photographic clubs. Bev’s contact details are:
bevshort@xtra.co.nz
04 476 8114
021 2266 112

Please contact the Gallery Director, Avenal McKinnon, for further information: 027 4444 775
or 04 472 2298 / dir@nzportgal.org.nz

A debate between local MPs – Holly Walker, Trevor Mallard, Chris Hipkins and a Hutt Valley High Schol debating team. Come and see the young people pit their wits against the policians as they debate the moot:
That party lists should be gender balanced

Date: Monday 30 April 2012
Time: 7.30pm start time
Venue: Waiwhetu Uniting Church Complex, corner of Trafalgar and Grenville Streets
Cost: $10 per adults, $5 per student
RSVP: to ncwnzhv@gmail.com or phone 004 565 0336 by Fri 27 April, for catering purposes

Light refreshments will be provided.

‘Women and Equality: From Global Rhetoric to Local Reality’

Date: Friday, 27 April 2012
Time: 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
Venue: 406 Old Kirk, Kelburn Campus, Victoria University
RSVP: Dolores.Janiewski@vuw.ac.nz

 In 1988, Gill began a decade-long stint on the Vic staff, first as liaison officer, then director of student services, before becoming assistant vice-chancellor in charge of equity, and was an active member of AVUW and Staff Representative on the VUW Council. Then she became executive director of Family Planning, moving to London in 2006 to become director general of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

For her work in promoting global sexual health, she was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the British New Year’s Honours List. She’s now returned to Wellington and has a consulting service Time plus Talents.

For more details about Gill, see http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/gillian-greer/

Sponsored by the Association of Victoria University Women

We invite members to submit nominations for President, Treasurer and board members before Friday 5 May 2012.

If you would like to be a nominee for the board, read more in our YWCA Board Recruitment Pack and fill in the attached board application form.

Constitutional remits are also welcome – contact us with your ideas by email info@ywcawellington.org.nz

Our 105^th Annual General Meeting of the YWCA of Greater Wellington details are:

Date:      Monday 21 May, 2012
Time:      5.45 refreshments, 6.15pm start
Venue:   KPMG boardroom, Level 9, 10 Customhouse Quay, Wellington

Please join us – would love to see you there. Meeting papers will be sent to members and will include:

• 2012 draft YWCA AGM Agenda – 21 May 2012
• 2011 draft 104th AGM minutes – 23 May 2011
• YWCA of Greater Wellington Constitution – approved in 24 April  2010.

At this year’s AGM, members will hear about our past year, receive the financial statements and receive a copy of the draft 2011 Annual Report.

RSVP for catering purposes to info@ywcawellington.org.nz by Friday 18 May, 5pm.

Annual End of Season Clothing Sale

 30^th March 10AM-6PM

New Location: 80 Willis Street (old Paddington Coat Factory space), Wellington

 Great prices on work attire and accessories

As well as vintage and retro clothing

 Please pass this information to all of your work colleagues, family and friends! Come along and shop!

 All proceeds help to run Dress for Success Wellington programmes and services.