It is interesting how Wanganui manages to run events in our City without the need for lots of highly paid corporate bodies and staff.

Our city has a huge network of people who just want the city to be a better place for its citizens or for its visitors, who then enjoy being here.

How does a smaller NZ City run events such as; the Mobile Home Owners Convention, with 1000 plus mobile homes, or the Masters Games with 7000 to 8000 competitors, without employing hundreds of local folk. Well, in Wanganui our city is jammed-packed full of people who just want to make a difference, whilst making their only reward their participation, and being part of the success of the event.

Companies in the city contribute vast amounts of money or services to these great citizens and their events, quite often with the only return being the knowledge that they have somehow made Wanganui a great place to be.

Sounds like the Sunday sermon, but it really is the reality of living in Wanganui.

My family, as usual went to the Anzac dawn service and I can truly say it was different than ever before. I was moved by the acknowledgement of the speakers to approx 5000 attendees, including many young Wanganui people who got out of bed that morning and were part of this remembrance. They talked about what happened at dawn and sunset way back then, but the point that really did it for me was that it was said that these young people in our city are the people who will take over from where the present generation has been, a generation that hasn’t got it totally right. Perhaps therefore we all need to revisit what we are doing and what contribution we are making, so the people who follow on from us will have an even better place to bring up their children.

Corporate Philanthropy appears to be the international phrase for what Wanganui businesses have been quietly doing for years. As a businessperson in your city, step back for a moment and say to yourself; am I really doing the best I can in making Wanganui a better place to be. Is there a way I could contribute in a different way to what I have done before? Have a look at the people who work for you and see if you could change your sponsorship generosity to assist them and their families.
Do your employees’ kids play a sport, or does their school need a helping hand. We all give to organisations in the city, but why not see how you can benefit the people who are in your employ and their kids. I am sure the rewards will be wide spread.

Make your staff aware of the other companies that contribute to Wanganui and when they are spending your money on goods and services, ask them to support another local company that is also contributing to our great city.

If you are on a board or a committee, ask are they doing the best they can for the City they live in? Perhaps we can grow something that has quietly been happening without most of the citizens realising.

The ABN AMRO Craigs’ Wanganui Chamber of Commerce Business Awards is coming again at the end of October 2006. The contribution of business in Wanganui and the acknowledgement of your business as part of that are worthy of your entry. Have a look at the Wanganui Chamber Website for dates of workshops starting in May that can assist you with your entry.

The acknowledgement of your contribution to our city is a part of the awards that is worthy of recognition. Your staff will get a huge buzz that you think their contribution is worthy of an entry. If you receive an award as an acknowledgment of theirs and your success, then spend the following 12 months and more, telling everyone about it. It’s not the Kiwi way, but people do enjoy being part of a success story.

Warren Ruscoe
Chairman/President; Wanganui Chamber of Commerce Inc.