Shaking off the stuffiness

She wants RWNZ to be one of the main rural organisations people turn to.

“We have a very powerful voice in Parliament, we do great charitable work and we have a strong network,” she told Rural News.

The theme for the coming year is ‘C to the Power of three – Communication, Connection and Collaboration’. Then there’s the fourth ‘C’ -- community.

“Those are the really important things… communication between our members and other organisations, connecting with other people and within ourselves,” says Gower, who lives at Port Waikato.

“With collaboration – we are keen to get partnerships going, using the synergies of the organisations we are already involved with to move things forward.”

They will be working with Young Farmers, Federated Farmers, Dairy Women’s Network, Agri Women’s Development Trust and the Country Women’s Institute, to name a few.

“We will look to get some good partnerships going, and some financial partnerships, to help drive everything else forward.”

She does not agree with the perception that women’s rural groups are dated. They are rejuvenating and simply need to communicate more to get that message out.

“Some of the women we have in our organisations who are really enjoying it are learning and they’ve got connections because many have moved from different districts and don’t know anyone.

“We are picking them up and being the ‘aunties’ and mentors and providing a social network for them and the social support they need.”

RWNZ needs to better communicate so people understand they are doing a great job in that space.

Gower had a literally shaky start to her term: the Kaikoura earthquake struck on the night of her becoming president.

RWNZ has resurrected and is reworking the aftershocks fundraiser launched after the Canterbury earthquake; it then raised $130,000. The fundraiser is red-and-white socks (Canterbury colours) bearing the Richter scale picture of the earthquake.

Gower refers to RWNZ’s “amazing” members doing great work on the ground in the Marlborough and Kaikoura regions. They want to support the women and children to make sure they have what they need.

RWNZ now has a new board rather than a council. This will help formulate good strategies to take out to members.

“I can go anywhere in the country and never feel lonely. Wherever I go I can find members, whether individual or a branch; there is someone there you can always call on and say ‘hello’.”

People can be members without being part of a branch. Not all people can get to meetings but they can still be part of the organisation and involved in the work it does.

“The support and growth I have got out of it has been incredible.”