Regional Focus
CANTERBURY DSA GOING STRONG FOR FOUR DECADES Donna Higgs has been the Regional Co-ordinator for the Canterbury Down Syndrome Association Committee for nearly a decade and looks back at where the CDSA came from and where it is heading. In 2012, I stepped into the shoes of Angelique van der Velden as Regional Coordinator. Angelique, who is still a committee member of the CDSA and NZDSA has been an amazing contributing member of the CDSA for over a decade. In that time I have worked with many wonderful people in the Christchurch Community. Recently, I came across a business plan written in 2009 and before I tell you more about the current CDSA, I would like to look back at some of the early history as it was described in that 2009 document. In 1985, the Canterbury Downs and Special Needs Support Group started and organised socials, a library and provided information and support to the families of children with DS. In 2000 this group became known as the Canterbury Down Syndrome Association and continued to organise monthly socials for families and an annual Christmas party. In May 2005 a separate group was launched called the Canterbury UPP Club, a peer support group for teenagers and young adults with DS and is run by a paid Programme Co-ordinator. In September 2008 the CDSA became incorporated, with governance and support by volunteers and continues to provide information
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Mums at 2020 Christmas party
and support to the families of children with DS through quarterly socials, a quarterly newsletter, coffee evenings, an advocacy service, a Christmas party and weekly football sessions over summer with Halswell United AFC. We are an organisation of 96 families (2009), each with a child with Down syndrome and are governed by an elected committee currently with 9 members. T h e 1 0 - ye a r g o a l i s c o m p l e t e f i n a n c i a l independence. Financial independence for the CDSA is the ability to fund advocacy for individual families, a d m i n i s t ra t i ve a n d c o m m u n i t y s u p p o r t objectives. Major education and advocacy events will be expected to be cash flow neutral or in the case of events for professionals cash flow positive. For 2010 onwards we aim to be $10,000 cash flow positive allowing us a financial base to underwrite an expanded education program. As we are now preparing for World Down Syndrome Day in 2021, for me personally it gives me great pride to see the dedication of the past and present committees continuing to deliver the original vision of 2009. We now have a current membership of 156 families, a committee of 11, a beautiful new logo and website designed by Dan te Kaat. Dan also designs all of our flyers for workshops and events. Dan has been a member of the CDSA committee for 9 years, over this time has
