Educate Plus is the only Australasian organisation for professionals in the education sector and it is largely run by volunteers who are passionate about supporting individuals in educational advancement roles. The organisation aims to connect professionals with their peers, engage in professional development, and build collaborative partnerships within the sector. Members of Educate Plus have had an increasingly strong interest in Recollect, as a tool for community engagement, which led to NZMS’s decision to become a New Zealand Chapter Partner.
Recently our team was invited to attend some of the Educate Plus networking events taking place across Aotearoa. These events allow members to form strong professional relationships with others in the education field and share ideas.
Alison Barnett, our Northern Regional Manager, was invited to speak at Auckland’s networking event, which was held at the Diocesan School for Girls on the 23rd of November. Despite the overcast Auckland morning, the event was well-attended, and participants enjoyed the opportunity to network in the Diocesan House Dining Room.
During her presentation, Alison highlighted how archives can be used to surface shared experiences, create identity, and build community. She focused on the incredible work done by librarians in this space and offered examples of the impact of community engagement technology when it is supplemented by well-executed communication strategies.
“A community is not necessarily the same as a group of people with common interests or affiliations. Shared interests or experiences may be the starting place, but communities are built by people who value connection. Community archives can play a vital part in the process of surfacing connections and establishing a sense of belonging.”
Alison demonstrated how platforms like Recollect can unlock the value of archives by facilitating access to important collections, encouraging contextual storytelling, and forming strong community connections.
Contact our team today if you would like to discuss options for your archive or collections!
The final Educate Plus networking event for 2022 will be held in Christchurch on the 16th of December at Bijou Bar. Follow this link for more information — we look forward to seeing you there!