Funding model high priority for new KB chair

The new chair of the Knowledge Bank, Cynthia Bowers, is focused on future-proofing the charity to ensure it can continue to preserve the stories and events that have shaped Hawke’s Bay.

Ms Bowers is a former Hastings District deputy mayor with a background in accounting and management, with a strong interest in culture, heritage and the arts. Supported by current board members Kevin Atkinson, Helen Walker and Barry Cole, Ms Bowers takes over from retired chair Peter Dunkerley.

The Digital Archives Trust is a charitable organisation that runs the Knowledge Bank. It digitises the stories of Hawke’s Bay donated by residents – from letters and photos to diaries, newspapers and magazines, with the on-line material free to access by the general public.

Ms Bowers says the Knowledge Bank plays an important role in preserving community history.

“I’ve taken on the role of chair of the trust because the Knowledge Bank is a valuable, community asset with a great team of staff and volunteers.  Previous boards have done an excellent job in securing our home at Stoneycroft and over the past 13 years have built an impressive digital record of Hawke’s Bay and its people.”

She said the vastly changed financial landscape over the past few years – including Covid and then Cyclone Gabrielle – meant grants that charities traditionally relied upon were increasingly difficult to come by and charities such as Knowledge Bank need to refocus to ensure financial viability.

To achieve this aim, Ms Bower is keen to build on the skills of the board with added trustees.

“My objective is to use my political, business and people management experience to future-proof Knowledge Bank for the next few decades. To assist with that, over the next two months the board will seek additional trustees to join the governance team. The positions will be advertised and we are likely to be looking for people with fundraising, people, technology and/or legal expertise.”

Ms Bowers says the level of commitment and loyalty and staff is impressive, “but we cannot survive solely on the goodwill of the team. We need to develop a more financially sustainable model.”

The board alongside staff and volunteers has undertaken a strategic planning exercise, and well underway in developing a clear plan for the next three year period.

Knowledge Bank continues to add to its pool of “incredible volunteers and donors who enable this work to be done,” she said. “I am excited about the future of the Knowledge Bank and I hope others will jump on the bandwagon to help us.”

People wanting to volunteer should contact Linda Bainbridge at the Knowledge Bank: 06 833 5333 or email [email protected].  For other offers of help or to share ideas contact Cynthia Bowers: 027 443 2999 or email [email protected]