'People Sustainability’ on the agenda in a new Share Market

‘People Sustainability’ on the agenda in a new Share Market

A new Share Market in New Zealand is to be launched and it’s not the financial brokers that will rule this one. It’s for NZ business and community leaders and these shares won’t be as volatile as the stock exchange.

Business and Community SharesTM (BACS) is a brand new online hub which has been designed for New Zealand to develop better community investment between companies and communities in a more streamlined and effective way that combines service and information in one space opening on the 1st August.

Within the new website a ‘Share Market’ will be available for responsible businesses to share their resources with communities and it’s not just about giving money or old computers. There is an emphasis on providing skills and experiences with an acknowledgment that sharing works for the benefit of both parties. The Share Market will be available from 1st August for applications to begin trading on the 1st September.

Profiles of both business and community groups will be listed so they are visible for those seeking a partner rather than having to go door knocking. Through the process and visibility more partnerships are likely to form and create greater benefits.

Members on the site will be able to submit events and news that acts as a hub for those looking for answers in where to participate with articles and reports made available from New Zealand and overseas by members.

BACS founder Julie Donvin-Irons is well established in community investment, as a previous senior manager within the Prince of Wales’ Trusts in the UK, a world-leading organisation in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) she has worked in New Zealand in the capacity of CEO for charities and formed her own company that specializes in community investment.

Her depth of knowledge means that the website will not be just run by I.T. geeks setting up a matching tool but can react and respond to what is happening in this specialized field.

“What frustrated me was the number of businesses that wanted to partner and make a difference in communities- of- need in New Zealand and didn’t have a pathway or know where to start. With BACS I saw a solution that was easy to access and a hub of knowledge for all parties. And for those that say times are tough and business must look after themselves first they need to remember who their customers are, if communities are buckling under the weight of recession there will be no customers left. The concept of sharing means involvement with all parties, community leaders have skills and knowledge that can be useful in business practice, it’s a two way transaction.”

Sir Ron Carter has provided a quote in support of BACS:

“I have come to realise how much wisdom exists in communities that is never released so that it can benefit all. Societies, after all, are a just collective to which we can and should contribute our own abilities. Partnerships offer a low-key approach for each of us to be involved in the success of our community but do so where we feel our skills are “best fit” to success. By becoming active in a partnership which relates well to your individual strength it is possible to make a difference without moving beyond your comfort zone. Businesses too have particular areas of strength –they can give back to their community through a partnership approach –the Team that makes a difference gives satisfaction to all sides.”

BACS has teamed up with FoundationCommunity™ from Rev-ID International, experts in building web based tools and reporting systems to develop the BACS Share Market.

CEO Chris Lindley says:
“There is a real difficulty in trying to attract business support when as a small community group you don’t know how to start. Our partnership means they have the best and most efficient way of doing things right at their fingertips. The community organisation too has a better chance of being approached more readily when profiled. Results are collected through the user friendly measurement tools and can provide answers for those wanting to know where best to invest.”

Vanisa Dhiru CEO of Volunteering New Zealand said she joined up because of the learning opportunities, measurement systems and other tools available as well as networks for particular groups. She says that being a new CEO “I can use BACS to find a mentor from the business world that could provide an extra pair of eyes and ears for my organisation.”

BACS is building its own capacity carefully to be sure that it is providing the right services whilst populating the site. Once opened there are big plans afoot with building continuing offline to provide a larger resource later in the year.

The call now is for both responsible businesses and community organisations to come forward and join BACS, to develop the Share Market and be involved in real ‘people sustainability’ in New Zealand.

Further details: www.bacshares.org.nzGOES LIVE 1st August 2012

ENDS

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