Mainstreet co-ordinator appointment explained

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 550, 23 August 1994, Page 4

Mainstreet co-ordinator appointment explained

Half a dozen applications were received when the position of 'Facilitator/Coordinator' of the OhakuneRaetihi Mainstreet group, together with a budget of $30,000, was approved by the Community Employment Development Scheme . (CEGS) earlier this year. The vacancy was advertised nation- wide as well as through the NZ Employment Service and in local newspapers. Among the six applications received, three were from the WaimarinoRuapehu area. The position called for a "highly self-motivated ... person who is able to communicate with a wide range of people with ease and con-

fidence" and one who is able to operate independently as well as being able to work with a team. According to the job description the Mainstreet facilitator/co-ordinator was to undertake a number of projects already identified as important for the enhancement of the area. These included working with other local community groups to achieve the following objectives: □ To create a design consultancy which would serve to enhance the townships of Ohakune and Raetihi. □ To complete six community beautification initiatives already agreed upon. □ To conduct and complete a series of business skills training seminars with follow-up sessions. □ To undertake promotional visits to towns which generate visitors to this area. Applicants were asked to submit evidence of experience in two or more of the following: □ Project development and team management. □ Involvement in community development.

□ Involvement in promotional activities. □ Demonstrable evidence of public speaking. All applications had to be received by 1 5 April and the two member Mainstreet panel responsible for recommending the appointment to CEGS - Mainstreet chairman Robert Horne and actingRuapehu South Business Association (RSBA) chairman Phil Abel - made their decision the following month after careful and considered comparison between each of the applicants. Sue Allomes - who had served as interim Facilitator-Co-ordinator since 1 February when, because of the short notice and the urgent need to make a start on some of these projects before the coming winter months and before funding was available for both advertising the vacancy and providing finance to employ a person in that role - was appointed to that position in early June. Chairman of the selection panel, Robert Horne, said he and Phil Abel had TURNTOPAGE5

Mainstreet From page 4 been absolutely meticulous interms of objectivity when considering each of the applications and, if anything, applied an even more stringent set of criteria to someone whose appointment might be criticised or challenged on the grounds of favour or nepotism as Sue Allomes was already well known and active in the community through her role as former chairman of the RSBA. But it was this very role and her proven track record in project development and management, community projects, promotional activities and as someone who was already well-versed in presenting and speaking to submisions to various local bodies and organisations that made her a front-run-ner for the position, said Robert Horne. "Others might have had been more highly qualified in some areas but did not have the experience overall and the more we examined the curriculum vitae of each of the applicants, the more we returned to Sue Allomes." "We were looking for someone who was good at lobbying for funds from government bodies and council with good PR skills and local knowledge of who to contact and how to go about applying for funding assistance," he said.