Newsletter – July 2019

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Term 3 Courses and Workshops

Term 3 starts Monday 22nd July and we have a great lineup of both Courses and Workshops for you to attend. Thought about writing your memoirs? Keen to make better use of Google Maps? Still uncomfortable about Internet Banking or OneDrive? We have a Workshop coming up for each of these. How about learning to properly use the camera on your Smartphone – the Course starts Monday 29 July.

Why not plan ahead now and make some bookings with Elaine (ph 021 169 6256).
The Courses can be found here and the Workshops here.

Changes around The Learning Centre

We’ve been working closely with our Landlord (KCDC) to get a variety of problems and issues resolved with the building. It’s never a quick process but Barry (our Facilities Coordinator) is persistent and patient!

In recent months the following things have been sorted out

  • Our Heatpump/AirCon has been fully serviced and is now working more efficiently than it has in a long time
  • The aging linoleum in the kitchen, entrance and toilets has all been replaced. It’s good to see a safer “carpet” in the entrance especially on rainy days.
  • Both toilet units have been replaced
  • Shortly we’ll also have safety hand rails installed on the toilet cubicle walls.
  • Last week we had new LED lighting installed in the ceiling above all the computer desks to provide better lighting for our members during classes.

Interestingly, during the LED installation, we discovered that the ceiling insulation wasn’t replaced when the roof was fixed last summer. This has been brought to the attention of KCDC and Barry is chasing them to get the situation rectified as soon as possible.

We hope all these changes add to your comfort during classes. Remember if you see anything that needs sorting around The Learning Centre, note it down on a Course Feedback Form or just tell a Tutor or Committe Member.

Your 2019-20 Committee

The new Committee is up and running and everyone has something they are responsible for.

For full details (and mugshots) click here

Message from the Chair

I’d like to start my section by acknowledging those members of last year’s Committee who stepped down at the AGM. Brian Milne, Jim Heron, Peter Thomson, Erik Herdahl-Thorsing and Patrick Stephens have all served for many years on our Committee and their wisdom and institutional knowledge will be missed. Thank you all for your commitment to SeniorNet Kapiti.

I would also like to welcome Val Jeal who has joined the Committee this year. Thank you for being willing to get involved and we look forward to your contribution.

Our new committee has already met for the first time and a number of key “projects” are now underway.

  1. For over a year now, we’ve been debating and discussing the possibility of installing an Automated Electronic Defibrillator (AED) in the vicinity of our Learning Centre. The nearest 24hr unit is in Raumati Village over 800m away which we believe is just too far to be of practical use in a real emergency. Our proposal has always been to install a 24/7 secure unit on the outside of the Arts & Crafts Society building where it’s visible to everyone including those using the playground.
    Our problem has always been the cost (around $4,500) and with the Arts & Crafts Society unable to offer any funds, we have not been prepared to fully fund it ourselves.
    Believing in the importance of this lifesaving device, your Committee has decided to undertake a Fund-Raising Campaign this year to raise the necessary money to partner with Rotary and get a unit installed. We will be preparing bids with several funding organisations shortly and have set ourselves a deadline of 30 November to raise the necessary funds.
    If any of our members feel they would like to contribute towards this effort, we are accepting donations which can be made in cash, cheque or bank deposit. Remember SeniorNet Kapiti Inc is a registered charity (No.CC22420) which means your donation is tax deductible.
    Our bank account no is ANZ 06-0501-0746900-00 – please use Reference “AED”
  2. We are again revisiting the possibility of offering EFTPOS to our members at The Learning Centre. Historically this has proven to be a frustratingly expensive option for us but technology is changing so fast that we’re going to try again with our bank and see what’s available in 2019! No promises yet but fingers crossed.
  3. After feedback from a number of people, we’re looking into the option of signing new members up during our Coastlands Day (next scheduled for 26 September). In the past we’ve guided prospective members to our Open Days before accepting their membership application but we suspect many don’t follow up!

In closing I’d like to thank Barry Bailey for his ongoing efforts working with KCDC (our landlord).  The changes are described above but if you see Barry around The Learning Centre, please let him know what you think of the improvements.

As always, I encourage all members to support our sponsors. They are an important part of the SeniorNet family and several offer excellent discounts if you show them your 2019-20 Membership Card. If you haven’t got a 2019-20 Membership Card then it’s probably a good time to renew your membership for the coming year.

Until next time, happy computing and if you’re heading away for a winter break – enjoy!!

Peter Bunkall
Chair SeniorNet Kapiti Inc.