It’s with great pleasure that we introduce our new ChairPerson, Sue Connor.

Congratulations Sue on your appointment and we wish you every success running our organisation.

From the Chair

This will be my first “From the Chair” as it’s my first Chairpersonship, confirmed at the AGM last month. I am very grateful to the Committee who have ‘re-signed up’ for this year and of course to the Immediate Past Chairperson Peter Bunkall, who is member of the incoming Committee. I am truly humbled by the help and assistance that this very experienced team can offer not only me but all of our members too.

I am looking forward to my time as Chairperson – with the current status of COVID-19, I believe we have the policies in place to act accordingly in everyone’s best interest and our members health is ‘front and centre’ for each of us. At times, things will be complicated and challenging but the team I have around me, supporting the ‘Chair’ are an amazing group of people.

I genuinely would like to thank the Committee for what we are about to do together and what we have achieved in the past.

Sue Connor
Chair, SeniorNet Kapiti Inc.

Feedback from our new Windows Users Workshop

We recently received the following unsolicited feedback from one of our members who attends the new Windows Users’ Workshop

I just want to congratulate the two Peter’s (Bunkall and Jones) for the very informative and interesting sessions they run on the first Thursday of each month for Window users. The sessions normally start with them answering any questions that have been sent in and then answering questions from the floor.

At the July session we were given some good reasons that, provided we are using Windows 10, we do not need to purchase anti-virus software from a third party such as Norton or McAfee. In answer to another question, a demonstration was provided of how to make a short video clip and then upload it to your YouTube account and then how to send out a link to your family and friends so that they could view it.

In addition, we were shown some new things. We learned about the Microsoft To-Do app and Quick Assist, the Windows built in Remote Access app. Quick Assist allows another person remote access to your Windows computer so that you do not need to download anything to enable someone to assist you to fix a problem you are having…and that person doesn’t have to leave their home to help you.

The reason I have put fingers to keyboard tonight is that I think it is a pity that more members are not availing themselves of the opportunity to learn more things about the capability of their Windows computer in a relaxed environment with the discussions and demonstrations being led by some very knowledgeable people. Generally other members also contribute to the discussion. In addition, you get a morning tea break in the middle and normally have an interesting conversation with other members of our group.

I would urge you all to come along if you wish to become more confident and understand many of the hidden features in the Windows software that is already installed on your computer.

Elizabeth East

Term 3 Timetable is Out – Book now!

Our course and workshop timetables for Term 3 (August to October) are published on our website. For Term 3 courses, click here and for Term 3 workshops click here

A number of the popular offerings are filling fast so to avoid missing out, please contact Elaine on 021 169 6256 as soon as possible and book a seat.

We are still looking for a Secretary!

We have yet to find someone willing to be our Secretary. The work involves handling our very occasional paper mail (in and out) as well as circulating the agenda for Committee meetings (from a template) and writing the meeting minutes.

If you are interested in assisting the Committee in this role, please contact us at kapiti@seniornet.nz or leave a message on our answerphone (04) 299 0754

AirCon Upgrade – Our Warmest Thanks 😊

With the winter months upon us, we’re very grateful to have been able to upgrade our aircon earlier in the year.

We would like to publicly acknowledge the donation we received from the Wellington Masonic Club Inc which went a long way towards the cost of the new equipment. Special thanks to our Life Member Jim Heron and his wife Lynda who were instrumental in lodging (sic!) the application and making our case to their Committee.

We’ve a Finalist!

SeniorNet Kapiti has been named as a Kapiti Region finalist in the Wellington Regional Airport Community Awards.

In 2021, the criteria has changed to recognise groups and individuals in the Wellington district who have demonstrated service to help keep their communities connected and strong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are proud of this recognition of our contribution to the community that we operate in.

Open Days – 27 July

Our next Open Days will be held prior to the start of Term 3. We will be at Coastlands on Tuesday 27 July and our Open Day at The Learning Centre will be Saturday 31 July.

If you have a friend, neighbour or acquaintance who is thinking about joining SeniorNet to build their confidence in things technical, please pass these dates on to them and encourage them to come and see us on one of these days. We will also be advertising our Open Day in local businesses as well as the Kapiti News nearer the time.

AGM & Our New Committee

Our AGM was well attended – thank you to all who attended this important meeting.

We now have a Privacy Officer – Heather Newell who is also the Executive Officer of The SeniorNet Federation as well as Privacy Officer for many SeniorNet Learning Centres around the country. Thank you Heather for assisting us in this important new role.

Our new Committee has already met once. Welcome to our new Committee member Vicky Sutton Cleaver and welcome back to Patrick Stephens.

Here is the full list of committee members for 2021-22

Chairperson – Sue Connor
Deputy Chairperson – Peter Jones
Secretary – yet to be filled (see above)
Treasurer – Teresa Urutia
Immediate Past Chairperson – Peter Bunkall
Barry Bailey
Vicky Sutton Cleaver
Elaine Hopewell
Val Jeal
Veronica Kemp
Ian McLuckie
Patrick Stephens

Editor’s Note: COVID-willing I will be somewhere in the Outback of Australia during August. As a result, there will be no Newsletter published for August 2021. .

Please Support our Sponsors

Please don’t forget to support our National sponsors – they’re important to SeniorNet and help us at the local level in many ways, including offering discounts to our members.

Always show your membership card and ask if there’s a discount for SeniorNet members – you might be rather surprised!

The best example is Noel Leeming where the SeniorNet discount extends well beyond computers to everything in their store!

Suzuki has recently reconfirmed their offer to our members of free on-road costs on new vehicles so it always pays to ask.

There are more details about the individual sponsorships on the Federation’s website here