Diane's role with The Centre Trust
The Ōmokoroa Centre Trust, otherwise known as ‘The Centre’ or ‘The Community Op-Shop,’ is a small community op-shop that sells donated second-hand goods and gift items from local craftspeople. All profits go back to the community. This year alone they have donated over a hundred thousand dollars to 35 different community groups, including the Red Cross Disaster Relief.
For the past eight years, Diane has dedicated her time to volunteering with The Ōmokoroa Centre Trust. This article provides insight into her significant role at The Centre.
What is your role with The Centre?
I am on the Board of Trustees and have the responsibility of managing the finances. This includes keeping accounting records, managing the bank accounts and payments, preparing the annual financial statements, and filing the annual tax returns with the Charities Office.
Why/how did you get involved?
I was approached by Rachel Millard back in March 2015, when the original trustee who set up the charity in the first instance resigned.
What skills/experience do you have that make you right for this role?
My accounting knowledge and experience of acting as a treasurer for different community groups, and my love for the Ōmokoroa community.
How is The Centre different now from you when you first got involved?
Very different, especially in regard to record keeping. We now have a Management Committee who share the day-to-day responsibilities of managing The Centre, rather than a Centre Manager. This seems to work better. Plus, we have moved to an Eftpos system.
What are you most proud of from your involvement in this organisation?
I take great pride, along with the other trustees and all the volunteers, in how much money we actually put back into the community. We have distributed over $450K back into the community since 2015. I just love the morning tea that we host each year, that allows us to meet each group that has benefited from a donation from the Trust, and they tell us how the funds have helped their organisation.
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