OPen Day 13 March comment and future events in the Shed

We would just like to recognise the efforts of the sheddies that put in the time to make the Open Day the success that it was.

Thanks to those of you who put in the extra effort to get the pamphlets delivered, shed tidied up, decorated and ready for the opening. You know who you are! Well done!

Thanks especially to Nigel & Andrew for the great work done on the visual display powerpoint, forms and for manning the barbie!

Photos of the Open Day to be put on the blog as soon as they come to hand.

Just a gentle reminder that there are a few things happening for the sheddies to join in with, like…

MONDAYS

Doug has advised that he is involved with a walking group who meet regularly and has suggested that any Sheddies who would like to partake, can meet at the following locations:

Each Monday the group meet at 10am at the Cornerstone (2 Ganges Road), which is the Community House in Khandallah, this walk usually goes for 1 hr.

On checking the bus timetables, we see that the only bus (free to SuperGold Card holders) that will get you there on time leaves from the Railway Station (stop D) buses no 43 or 44 at 9.03am. The bus journey takes approx. 30 mins.

The other walking group meet every second Wednesday (next date 24 Feb, then fortnightly thereafter) in Johnsonville, at Raroa Park, Burma Rd, between Malvina Major & Onslow College. A train can be caught to Raroa Station and there is a track from the station that leads to Raroa Park.

These walks usually take in historic places of interest and or flora and fauna and are more of a 'dawdle' than a workout! The Wednesday walk is 2hrs approx.

If you are interested in joining the walking groups, for more information call Doug on 938 7965 or 0274373285.

TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

The Shed will be open each Tuesday & Thursday morning from 10am for any woodworking activities, whether it be a community project or something you would like to bring along to work on.

WEDNESDAYS

Norman is keen to have other sheddies join him on Wednesday afternoons 1pm - 3pm for the 'Grumpy Old Men' sessions where you may be able to solve the problems of the world! So if you are keen to voice your opinion and share your thoughts… Nothing beats a bleat over coffee and biscuits at The Shed.

If you have any suggestions for other activities that you may like to participate in at The Shed please share your ideas with the committee.

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Agenda - MenzShed Grand Opening Saturday 13 March 10 am

The agenda for the day, will run as a follows:

• 10am doors open and tea and nibbles will be served.
• The plan is for people to be able to talk with the 'sheddies' and have a look around the shed at the different projects that are underway.
• We are planning to have Kieran Monaghan (male nurse) to give a five minute presentation on mens' health and advise his availability to the group.
• A welcome speech is set for around 10.45am where an overview of the MenzShed and the many benefits to older isolated men will be given.
• At 11am, so not to conform to the usual 'ribbon cutting' ceremonies, we are hoping to have you wielding a pair of wire snips to officially cut 'the wire'!
• Once the official part of the day is over, people are welcome to mingle and ask question

For your information, below is the press release which is being used to advertise the day.

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Press Release - Official Opening of MenzShed Wellington

On Saturday, March 13th at 10am, MenzShed Wellington will be officially opened, marking the culmination of several years of preparation.

The MenzShed, has been created to meet the needs of older men in Wellington, with a particular emphasis on meeting the needs of those who are socially isolated.

MenzShed Wellington is up and running, with a mix of men using the facilities to pursue their own hobbies, enjoy companionship and to participate in community projects. Join us for tea and nibbles and a look around the shed before the opening ceremony at 11am by Sr. Margaret Anne Mills of the Sisters of Compassion.

ALL WELCOME

MenzShed Steering Committee

p: 022 621 1902
e: menzshedwgtn@gmail.com
w: menzshedwgtn.blogspot.com

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What's On at the Shed, 25 February

Last Thursday was the usual meet and greet which started with tea, biscuits and conversations, which included:

* Monday Walking Group - Doug informed that the Monday walking group happened as usual with some of the 'sheddies' joining in and getting in a bit of fitness and historical info along the way. Garry, who attended and enjoyed the session, suggested that as the lady walkers far outnumbered the men, it may be an opportunity to form some nice relationships! For any enquiries about how and where to meet, give Doug a call on: 938 7965 or 027437 3285

* Norman's Wednesday Afternoon 'Grumble Sessions' - Norman is keen to organise a Wednesday afternoon session at the Shed for anyone who would like to join him in conversations on any subject, the skys the limit! What's on your mind? What would you like to discuss?

When: Wednesday afternoons 1pm, starting 10 March 2010.

* SuperGrans' - Thanks to Erin McMenamin, who gave a talk on how to shop smarter and save money on your purchases.

* Open Day - Menz Shed Wellington will be celebrating with an Open Day on Saturday, 13th March 10am - Come along and join the celebrations.

* Projects for this Thursday: We have the Johnsonville West Kindergarten's wooden fire engine at the Shed for repair, which is having some steering problems and is need of a bit of a touch up. Any one interested in lending a hand are most welcome, even if it's just to pass the screwdriver!

* Welder needed - Phillipa from the Soup Kitchen is in need of some assistance which requires a little welding job, can you help? If so, speak to one of the committee members.


Hope to see you all at the Shed on Thursday, 10.30am.

Grand Opening of the MenzShed Wellington 10 am Saturday 13 March

The Grand Opening of the MenzShed Wellington will iake place at 10 am Saturday 13 March at our premises 6 - 8 Haining Street, Wellington.

Further details can be viewed here.

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SuperGrans presentation 25 February 11 am at the Shed - nutritious and easy food preparation

The SuperGrans will make a presentation on preparing easy and nutritious food. This will be related to the needs of older people.

Encourage your friends to come along to this talk - especially if they are living alone or on a limited budget.

These talks have been well received by various community groups.

What's on at the Shed 18th February 2010

The business included:

* Account of current projects listed- several, including box garden, chicken coops & Fire engine (not life size!).

* It was noted that Bill has completed a number of Menz shed projects, (the garden by the Soup Kitchen and arranging for bookshelves at the Newlands Community Centre) sometimes under the collective radar and thanks have been given by Gary and now thanks are being given by the collective.

* Announcement and discussion about proposed presentation by SuperGrans: next Thursday 25th February.

* The Wednesday PM gathering at the Shed will be formally announced by an email mail out - Norman to oversee.

* Menz Shed Survey to be checked to ascertain direction to be taken re activities, talks etc.

Steve (SC):

1. Thanks to be made to Ms Helen Albright for jig saws donation to Menz Shed Library. System for borrowing explained.

2. Adult Community Education (ACE) interview to be arranged with Gabriel (who volunteered) to be our “Poster Boy” for the ACE publicity.

3. “Wellhung Sheddies Calendar” idea discussed. General excitement about concept and a few blokes very keen to show what they’ve got…but idea left hanging.

4. Steve gave a short presentation on “Why I am Here” which affirmed his commitment to his client group’s needs and in particular to the older men amongst them. This is for the Steering Group, the next stage- provision of a welcoming environment for these men.

5. Notification of funding available - two sources recommmended

Discussion followed as to how to get Sheddies involved and up to speed around funding applications. Invitation made for a volunteer from the sheddies to join the Steering Committee, in learning how to apply for funds.

6. There are no surplus funds at Bunnings. All money must be obtained upfront before purchasing for Community Projects e.g chookhouses and community raised beds.

7. Finally Steve encouraged Sheddies to bring in their hobbies and projects.

Tom (SC): Affirmed Steves korero about “Why I am here” applies to Tom as well. Next week a plan for how we shall provide for a group of our clients at the Menz Shed will be announced.

8. Doug : said that the Sheddies would support the application for Charitable Trust status. Some additional input to application to be provided within the next few days.

9. Big discussion about the Menz Shed Blogsite and the proposed Web site that the Sheddies have developed.

In brief the sheddies believe that the Blog is not appropriate as the only internet site for Menz Shed Wellington, but after discussion saw a place for both after talking about the differences between Blog and Web site. Alan Royal who designed and built the Blogsite was not present to put his side of the debate. It was noted by Tom that the Blog site has been the sole IT voice of Menz Shed Wellington for better part of a year and so unilateral decisions from Sheddies (or Steering Group) are inappropriate and unhelpful. General recognition that proponents of both Blog and Website need to “manage the relationships” well, so that unnecessary offense is not given or taken. Will revisit this soon. Steering Committee to check in with Alan.

10. Pamphlet and Sign for outside of Building presented and discussed.

11. Steering Committee suggested some additional input to pamphlet. Doug and Tom to confirm over next day or two.

12. Opening Day is being planned for Saturday 13th March 2010.

Next week Sheddies and Steering Committee to meet 10.00 am before the next Shed meeting on Thursday 25th February.

This week at the Shed - Thursday 11 February

On Thursday there was discussion around setting up a regular programme for the shed.  Some activities discussed are as follows:

Doug has advised that he is involved with a walking group who meet regularly and has suggested that any Sheddies who would like to partake, can meet at the following locations:

Each Monday the group meet at 10am at the Cornerstone (2 Ganges Road), which is the Community House in Khandallah, this walk usually goes for 1 hr.

On checking the bus timetables, the only bus (free to SuperGold Card holders) that will get you there on time leaves from the Railway Station (stop D) buses no 43 or 44 at 9.03am.  The bus journey takes approx. 30 mins.

The other walking group meet every second Wednesday (next date 24 Feb, then fortnightly thereafter) in Johnsonville, at Raroa Park, Burma Rd, between Malvina Major & Onslow  College. A train can be caught to Raroa Station and there is a track from the station that leads to Raroa Park.

These walks usually take in historic places of interest and or flora and fauna and are more of a 'dawdle' than a workout! The Wednesday walk is 2hrs approx.

If you are interested in joining the walking groups, for more information call Doug on 938 7965 or 0274373285.

Other interests noted:

• There was  interest in arranging cooking classes for the sheddies. Alan will make some inquiries to arrange this.
• Next week, starting on Tuesday 10am, there will be woodwork activity at the shed.  Any one interested in giving a helping hand to build the Shed's box gardens are most welcome to join in.  It is probable that this work will continue on Thursday 10am also. 
• Inquiries are being made into the possibility of a regular Tai Chi class at the shed - watch this space.

This week at the Shed -28 January 2010

Hello everyone

Today's meeting started off with the usual cup of tea and biscuits and there were lots of Happy New Year greetings to be heard.

1. We had a good number of sheddies turn up to listen to Jenny Rains, WCC Manager of Grants Funding to give a presentation on the 'ins and outs' of what's involved, from applying for funds, to reporting back to the funder on progress made and everything else in between!

Jenny has offered to assist in any way she can in explaining processes and is happy to have open discussion with the group or individuals on ways ahead, down to filling in applications.

The link below will take you to the General Grants page, where you can find information about the Grants process and when the rounds open for application.

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/pdfs/instructions/general-guide.pdf

Once into this page, click on 'application guide' in the General Grants box and scroll down to the bottom of page 2 to the Social Pool for further information.

2. An informal discussion then took place and it was agreed that a closer liaison was required between the Committee and the Sheddies, so that everyone was privy to meetings and agendas and were able to contribute topics for discussion. The Committee extended an invitation to any member of the shed who would like to attend any future meetings and it was suggested that a paper trail of the meetings be available to members to be kept in the loop.

There will be a meeting at the Shed next Wednesday, 10am with the Steering Group and Committee. Those sheddies who wish to, are also welcome to attend.

This meeting has been called to discuss where we are at with the funding (we have under 6 months before reports are due to our funders) and any other topics up for discussion.

I am putting together an Agenda for this meeting, so if you intend to be present, please let me know by Monday at the latest, any items you wish to be discussed. If it's not on the Agenda you'll have to wait for the next meeting to air the topic!

3. Ruth Collingham, who is a Board Member of Volunteer Wellington has offered her services to speak with the group. Ruth has assisted many emerging groups on how to get up and running, providing information on putting in place good management practises and processes to suit both committee and members alike. I will advise when Ruth may be available to visit with us.

4. Liz Barrett from Refugee Services also dropped in to see what items needed to be collected and to extend a big thank you to everyone involved in the repair of the furniture, (especially Colin who has been looking after the electrical repairs) which assists greatly in resettling refugee families as they arrive in Wellington.

5. Steve advised that he has spoken to the Manager at Bunnings and the community projects will be starting up again in the next week or two after the Xmas break, so as soon as Bunnings get in contact we will have some hands on work to pump out. Steve also collected about 20 outdoor chairs which are shop damaged and brought them along to the shed to see if we can repair or make use of them.

6. Stuart kindly collected the safety gear for us, so we are now better equipped. Thanks Stuart!

I hope we've captured all the discussions of today to keep you informed, apologies if I have missed something out.

Till next time!

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This week at the Shed 28 January 2010

I trust everyone had a safe and relaxing break over the holiday period.

 

This week at the shed we have a guest speaker planned. 

 

Jenny Rains, who is the Grants and Funding Manager at Wellington City Council will talk to the group about applying for funding and the responsibilities that go with it.

 

We have a few community projects in the pipeline, so will need to look at coordinating some work plans to get this up and running

 

If any of you have projects that you would like to look at doing, we'll need to have a chat about coordinating this as well.

 

One of the things up for discussion will be around planning the Menz Shed 'Open Day'.  So bring along your ideas and suggestions!

 

See you all on Thursday 10.30am for a cuppa and a biscuit!

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