I care about my community

A reflection by Aoraki Foundation Trustee Dale Walden

As I get older I realise that my motivations (what is important to me) are changing. When I was younger with a young family, my motivation was to love them, enjoy time with them, watch them grow up, and for me to work towards providing a level of financial security. My clients were significantly important to me as well….how could I help them, advise them, and work with them to provide a more secure financial future.  For forty years, this was my goal.

Now that I have retired, my family remains the most important part of my life however I realise that my community is becoming even more important than it once was. I feel a real desire to help make my community better, more successful, more resilient, and protected. My roots are somewhere between Pleasant Point and Waimate….the place that we know as South Canterbury. We are blessed to be living here, there are so many advantages and opportunities however we need to invest heavily in our people, our infrastructure, and our future.

Investing in our community can be achieved in a number of ways. These would include time and financial support. Time can be measured however financial support a little less so. Many of my former clients would speak about their desire to put something back into their community. However, the unknown for them was how to secure those funds for South Canterbury without the risk of seeing funds moved to “ head office “ or disappear into the New Zealand wide pool. This became a growing concern for many. These people understood their role in the community as “philanthropists”. What they wanted was an organisation that looked to the future, that was professionally and prudently managed, was staunch in its outlook, and where community support its main focus. They wanted peace of mind in knowing, even after they had passed away, that their wishes would be upheld. Across New Zealand, Community Foundations have taken up the challenge of being that organisation and here in South Canterbury, the Aoraki Foundation meets every one of those requests.

When approached about being a Trustee of the Aoraki Foundation, I asked myself whether this was one way for me to support my community. The answer was a firm yes, but why? My first thought was the people. With their direction, this was a vehicle that focused on a better South Canterbury, displayed professionalism, enabled funds to be retained in South Canterbury for South Canterbury, and provided scope for individual projects and causes. This was a way to match donors with those in need.

Being a Trustee, I am continually encouraged by my fellow Trustees (all volunteers) and management, who willingly contribute a huge amount of time and effort. Each responds to the donor's wishes with enthusiasm, commitment, and compassion. The focus is the single purpose of securing a better South Canterbury. I am proud to be a Trustee and believe that the Aoraki Foundation can assist individuals with their philanthropic ambitions and help build a stronger South Canterbury.

Personally, I know that the Foundation provides solutions to those things that are important to me because I care about my community.

 Dale Walden