The Newsletter
Te Awamutu
Branch
NZ Society of
Genealogists
No 174
July 2007
Convenor: John Graham 871 8986
Email: jmrg@xtra.co.nz
Secretary: Karen Glew 871 7778
Email: kglew@xtra.co.nz
Treasurer: Sandra Metcalfe 871 3250
Email: Metcalfe@wave.co.nz
Editor at large: John Graham
Te Awamutu Website:
Email: jmrg@xtra.co.nz
www.teawamutu.net/genealogy
New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc. www.genealogy.org.nz
Meetings are held in the Masonic Centre, corner of Sloane Street and Albert Park
Drive, Te Awamutu, at 7.30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month – February to
December. Visitors are most welcome.
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Next Meeting: Tuesday 3 July - Karen & Ken Glew attended the recent annual
conference in Wellington and will share their thoughts and share their experiences. Also
there will be an opportunity to discuss the Charities Commission changes.
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Convenor’s Corner:
Unfortunately I couldn't attend the last meeting, but from all accounts it was well
attended with 17 members. Karen kindly gave me a summary of proceedings:
Peter Fletcher speaking on the history of the Domesday Book and gave an example of the
information written about a village in the year 1610?
Margaret Main showed the new repository books we had brought and two other books in the
Library.
Karen Glew explained the Burial Locator: This version 1 of the Burial Locator is a directory
containing over 1.3 million names and includes approx 890 cemeteries. Its purpose is to assist
in the location of a Burial or death, generally in New Zealand, but includes some that
occurred overseas. Because the records have been collected from so many sources more than
one entry may appear for any name and, because they have originally been kept for different
purposes, there will be differences in presentation and style and even in the abbreviations
used. It is necessary in all cases to go back to the source listed and find the record. Version 2
is expected out before Christmas.
Members then spent an hour using the burial locator, exploring the Domesday Book and
generally sharing information. Thank you to Sandra Metcalfe and Ngaire Phillips for
bringing along their laptops enabling more people to use the CDs. REMEMBER all members
can borrow the CD resources we have from Jan McBeth.
Te Awamutu Branch NZSG # 174 – July 2007
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure the information published is accurate
Page: 1
Please read the article on page 3-6 regarding changes to the Charities Commission and
how it is likely to affect our branch.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND & ABOUT
Morning Group:
A reminded that these are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, Time 9.30 - 12 30 at
228 Longs Rd. (2nd house on left from Puahue Rd end.) Bring a problem and let's see
if we can help sort it!! This will recommence in February.
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The next Regional Meeting is being held in Thames on Saturday, 7 July 2007.
Thames is hosting this meeting at the St John Ambulance Hall, Tararu Road
Thames. Coming from South, go straight down main road (Ngati Maru Highway
and Queen Street) which becomes Tararu Road at the North end of town. The St
John Ambulance are on the right just past the 70Km speed sign
Morning Tea at 10.30 am for a meeting start at 11 am.
A major item of business will be the Registration with the Charities Commission.
This is a chance to get your questions answered and hear the thoughts of others.
If anyone is keen to attend please let John know, this will allow for car pooling
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New Zealand's Dead Famous People
The NZGDB is a new website for New
Zealand's Dead Famous People (OK
dead famous in New Zealand). It's free
to join and meets the privacy codes and
new legislative rules of the 21st
Century. It's by and for New
Zealanders.
NZGDB lets you share your family
information safely and securely with
your relatives - you control your own
database. You alone can add, correct,
delete or enhance your data. You
control access, and only you can see
your records of living people. If you
want to join your tree to another, that's
up to you - you make the links, not a
computer program, and you get to
decide whether to accept or reject
someone else's "facts"
Our vision is of a "New Zealand
Family Tree", a living repository where
you add photos, documents, and data as
you would on your own computer, yet
with the Internet’s advantages of
linking, publishing and collaborating.
NZGDB is just beginning, but already
there are over 650,000 individuals with
3.7 million facts recorded in it’s
databases.
Have a look at the website, take the
guided tour, and then let us know what
you think. If you have any questions,
click here.
Te Awamutu Branch NZSG # 174 – July 2007
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure the information published is accurate
Page: 2
Email and call us with your feedback.
Logon to www.nzgdb.co.nz and upload
a gedcom to see how it works for you.
Robert Barnes
NZGDB Developer
Phone (09) 418 4415
robert.barnes@xtra.co.nz
site can update their story whenever
they wish, add photos or images, and
visitors to the site can comment on
stories.
I am more than happy to edit or help
write stories for people who don't have
the confidence to write.
Tony Cairn
NZGDB Administrator
Phone (04) 934 8669
tony.cairns@paradise.net.nz
The site will also double as a History
Blog as I have been researching early
NZ history for more than ten years.
My name is Juanita and I am writing to
advise you about a new family history
website I have recently launched. The
website is: www.myancestorsstory.com
I have created the site to give family
history enthusiasts the opportunity to
publish their stories on line for free. It
all came about after I spent many years
researching my own ancestor and
wanted to publish it. Contributors to the
I am really excited about the site and
would love to have some stories from
your region. Please pass my website
address onto your members and fee free
to contact me if you have any further
questions etc.
Kindest regards
Juanita Gibson
My Ancestor's Story.com
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"To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source,
a tree without a root."
.. Chinese Proverb
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REGISTRATION WITH THE CHARITIES COMMISSION
The following is an extract from a NZSG council report describing how the changes will
affect the society and its branches, and recommendations for the way forward. Branches
are required to respond by 4 August 2007 as to whether they which to become affiliates
and therefore registered. Feedback is welcomed; there will be an opportunity to discuss
this at the next branch meeting on 3 July.
The committee recommend the branch register under the parent body (NZSG)
Pro’s and con’s for our branch
Pro’s
Con’s
Access to charity funding
Reduced access to funding sources
Remain tax exempt
Loose tax exemption
Access to NZSG resources Potential loss of membership having to be a member of NZSG
No access to NZSG resources (unless individual member)
John Graham - Convenor
Te Awamutu Branch NZSG # 174 – July 2007
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure the information published is accurate
Page: 3
Extract from NZSG council
As you will know the government has been undertaking a major review of Charities and
the way they are registered. We have summarised the situation and how we are required
to deal with it.
Background from the Charities Commission:
Registration with the Charities Commission offers a number of benefits to organisations
which choose to register and we have outlined these below:
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Supporters will find detailed information about your organisation on the
Charities Register.
Potential donors and supporters can look at the Register before they make
decisions about the charities they wish to support.
Funders will be able to find detailed information about your organisation on
the Charities Register.
Potential funders can look at the Register and access detailed financial and other
information.
Eligibility for tax exemption.
As a registered charitable entity, your organisation can expect to be eligible for
tax exempt status. Changes to the Income Tax Act 2004 and Estate and Gift
Duties Act 1968 mean that only charities registered with the Charities
Commission will be eligible for tax exempt status. Tax exempt status means
registered charities don't have to pay income tax, and donors of gifts to registered
charities don't have to pay gift duty. The changes take effect from 1 July 2008.
Show that you meet our criteria.
You can display your unique registration number on promotional and
identification material and quote it over the telephone to prospective donors or
funders as proof of your registered charitable status.
Improved public confidence.
Registered charities should enjoy improved public trust and confidence as
information about their activities and the way they use their resources will be
available on the Charities Register.
Contribute to valuable data that will affect policy making decisions.
By registering, charitable organisations will provide the Commission and the
Government with important information about the charitable sector in New
Zealand. The collection of this data will help us understand the charitable sector
and make policy decisions affecting the sector and the general public.
How will the public use the Register?
Once the Charities Register opened in February 2007, members of the public will be able
to look at it to find information about registered charities, e.g. their activities, areas of
operation, charitable purpose, and so on.
We are already a charitable trust – do we need to register?
Yes, if you wish to keep your tax exempt status.
All charitable organisations which wish to be eligible for tax exempt status after 1 July
2008 will need to register with the Charities Commission.
Te Awamutu Branch NZSG # 174 – July 2007
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure the information published is accurate
Page: 4
What if I don’t register?
You can still operate as a charity but after 1 July 2008, you will not be entitled to income
tax and gift duty exemptions on the grounds of charitable purpose.
Also, charities wishing to use the term ‘registered charitable entity’, ‘charitable entity’ or
any other term implying registration with the Charities Commission must be
registered. The Charities Act includes penalties for organisations which say they are
registered, when they are not.
Our Society:
NZSG has been recognised as a charity by the Inland Revenue Department for a number
of years. Our Rules have a clause indicating that our charitable status is important and
should not be jeopardised. For the reasons above, in order to maintain our charitable
status, we must register with the Commission.
Council has decided to register with the Charities Commission. NZSG has had a number
of discussions with the Commission regarding the registration procedure. Our particular
case is complicated by the number of Branches and Interest Groups we have and much
time has been spent getting the fastest and easiest procedure for the registration of the
parent body and its Branches and Interest Groups
The following is what Council has decided:
The parent Society will register as soon as possible, by itself.
This was strongly recommended by the representatives of the Charities Commission.
This will enable the Commission to examine the Rules, By- Laws, particularly in respect
of our Aims, no pecuniary gains clause, etc and hopefully accept them. If about 80
Branches and Interest Groups are included in the initial process, delays could be
incurred by the Commission having to read every single set of Rules, etc
Once the parent Society is registered, we will then register all Branches and
Interest Groups in one hit.
Once again this is strongly recommended by the representatives of the Commission as
the easiest way. Each Branch and Interest Group will receive a unique number based on
the parent’s number. Also, individual Rules and By-Laws will not be required as those of
NZSG will suffice.
There will be some rule changes for example the financial year will align with 31 March
Until then, the following procedure is to be adopted:
a)
There will be no change to the balance date this year (30
September) and the AGM will be at the usual time (OctoberNovember). Elections of Officers will be as per normal.
The next AGM will be after 31 March 2009.
Where Branches and Interest groups have a subscription, there
will need to an interim 18 month’s subscription set at the AGM
this year. This is because the next AGM (once the By-Laws are
changed) will be until after 31 March 2009.
Te Awamutu Branch NZSG # 174 – July 2007
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure the information published is accurate
Page: 5
4)
b)
Council asks that another six month’s Balance Sheet and Financial
Statement be prepared for the financial period 1 October 2007 – 31
March 2008.
c)
A proposed change to the By-Laws will be presented at the AGM in
Christchurch next year.
All Branches and Interest Groups will need to operate according to
requirements of the Charities Commission, the Incorporated Societies Act
and our Constitutional System (Rules & By-Laws).
In particular, The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 and its amendments must be adhered
to. The 1920 Amendment to the Act has been interpreted as requiring all Branch
members of an Incorporated Society to be members of the Society.
Therefore all Branch members must be members of the parent Society, the New
Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc.
(The majority of our branch members belong to the NZSG)
In summary:
a) Our charitable status is of prime importance to NZSG. It allows us to be exempt
from tax and permits us to receive donations that are tax-free. The
lifting of
the upper limit on tax-free donations is an opportunity that the Society must
explore.
b)
The Rules of this Society have made our charitable status something to be
protected.
c)
We have no other choice but to register with the Charities Commission as from the
perspective of NZSG, there is no downside.
d)
We should register the Society and follow that with registration of our Branches
and Interest Groups so that they can make use of the opportunities under the
Charities Act.
The full report is available on our website
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Smile a While
☺
A lady inserted an ad in the classifieds:
"Husband Wanted".
Next day she received a hundred letters.
They all said the same thing:
"You can have mine"
Next month I will publish the process required to access data held by the Te Awamutu
Museum.
Te Awamutu Branch NZSG # 174 – July 2007
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure the information published is accurate
Page: 6