SeniorNet New Plymouth
To all members and other interested parties
It is with regret that we report that SeniorNet New Plymouth is closing down so we will no longer be offering courses and workshops on digital communication technology.
It has taken a long hard time to reach the decision that it is the time to cease operating.
As an independent Incorporated Society and Registered Charity our members, following the requirements of our constitution, confirmed that SeniorNet New Plymouth Incorporated will be winding up.
The movement arrived in New Plymouth in 1997 when Geoff Souster started SeniorNet New Plymouth in response to a need in the community.
Over the years more and more people have gained experience using digital technology at work. Fewer people are starting out using computers and now handheld devices outside the workplace. There is also an increasing number of organisations offering training in the necessary skills. These include welfare and leisure special interest groups.
Most people want to learn digital skills to support their personal interests so are not interested in long term membership of a computer orientated organisation. Consequently they come to learn the basics and then disappear back into the community.
We received 2 proposals from outside bodies for continuance of the society. Our team of volunteers carefully considered both options but did not consider that either would work to the long term advantage of our target membership or the SeniorNet organisation itself.
One factor supporting our decision was that we do not see two organisations working successfully out of one building where one organisation has paid staff offering free teaching and the other where paid up financial members are taught by other members with the requisite knowledge.
SeniorNet New Plymouth as the group of financial members would definitely be the loser.
We have appreciated the support that we have received over the last 23 year particularly from Federation of New Zealand SeniorNet Societies, TSB Community Trust, Janko, Primo.
We wish all our SeniorNet New Plymouth members, other SeniorNet Societies around New Zealand and the Federation all the best for their future activities.
We will send out a final newsletter to all our members once all the legal requirements for winding up an incorporated society and registered charity have been completed.
Marian Macklin
President
SeniorNet New Plymouth
September 2020
President
SeniorNet New Plymouth
September 2020