Multiple Birth volunteers celebrated through inaugural awards programme
This week, in line with National Volunteer Week, the New Zealand Multiple Birth Association (NZMBA) and PORSE In Home
Childcare have launched the inaugural PORSE NZMBA Volunteer Awards.
The purpose of these awards is to highlight the volunteer effort required to support multiple birth families in New
Zealand. It recognises individual achievement, while publicly acknowledging all voluntary effort. NZMBA President and
mother of twins Carolyn Lister says “Although we as the NZMBA Executive are all volunteers ourselves it is at grass
roots level in the regions that the critical support for families happens. People who have no experience of a multiple
birth may not appreciate the difference having contact with our volunteers who have “been there, done that” can make.
Our volunteers can be a huge sanity/life saver for the new mum struggling at home with two or more demanding newborn
babies.”
These awards are an opportunity for parents, clubs and the NZMBA to express thanks to the people and organisations that
make such a big difference within the New Zealand multiple birth community.
PORSE In Home Childcare, the Multiple Birth Club’s national Sponsor is extremely proud to be supporting and working
alongside Multiple Birth as part of the national Volunteer Awards 2014. PORSE Community Team Coach Andree Sullivan says
volunteers in any capacity are a crucial part of supporting our local families to grow and foster relationships to gain
successful outcomes for our communities. The Multiple Birth clubs across the country have an amazing group of people who
volunteer their time and experience to support other families when they need it most. The Multiple Birth club members
bring true community spirit to their local communities.
The winners will be announced at the NZMBA National Conference, which this year will be held in Christchurch from the
3rd to the 5th of October. Each winner of an award will receive a cash prize and some awards will see a donation made to
the winner’s regional multiple birth club.
Categories include:
• ‘A JOB WELL DONE’ AWARD – for a volunteer who has provided exceptional service for the betterment of multiple birth families within their local
area or nationally.
• EMERGING LEADER AWARD – for a volunteer who has stepped up and made a difference in their club or the New Zealand multiple birth community in
their first year as a volunteer.
• COMMUNITY DEDICATION AWARD – for a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to their club or the New Zealand multiple birth community over
many years.
• CONTACT/BUDDY/SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR – for a volunteer who has provided exceptional service in the role of a Club Buddy, Contact Person or support person.
• ONLINE SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR – for a volunteer who has provided exceptional online support via Club or NZMBA Facebook pages, or Twitter
CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD
For more information and to nominate visit the New Zealand Multiple Birth association website www.multiples.org.nz.
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