We were prepared to cope with NZ Lotteries delaying their grants by a few months but the recent news of our COGS grant being declined your committee has suddenly had to address a major financial shortfall. We decided to reduce our copying and phone costs - so those of you getting printed newsletters will find these have been printed in black & white. While these small savings will help the most drastic change has had to be with the NZ$ wages of Keith and Catie-Lou.
While it was disappointing and unexpected to miss out on the COGS grant we fortunately have the back-up of our very own local currency to help us out. Our staff have generously agreed to receive a G$ honorarium until we are back in a position to be able to pay wages again.
We will look at other grant options but we hope to receive some funding from our members. Rather than implementing stallholders fees we have decided to seek NZ$ donations at future markets. We also  hope more members will pay their subscriptions in $NZ. Plans are also underway for a (fund-raising) Concert and to run a sausage sizzle. Support for these plans and other ideas welcomed. More details to come.