Building Financial Resilience Through Community Leadership
Inspiring Communities’ Micro-Credential in Community-Led Development (CLD) Facilitation is designed for practitioners already working in communities who want to formalise their experience and deepen their practice. Through a mix of self-directed learning, guided workshops, and critical reflection, this qualification recognises the vital role of bringing people together, facilitating local processes, and driving community-led change. With the support of experienced facilitators and a structured process, students gain new tools, insights, and recognition for their mahi.
Below, meet one of our inspiring graduates from the 2024 cohort and learn how this micro-credential has shaped their journey.
Building Financial Resilience Through Community Leadership
Micro-credential 2024 Cohort Profile
Ruth Nonu, Community Innovation Worker at Te Hiko, Wesley Community Action
When financial challenges arise, many feel isolated and overwhelmed. But in Cannons Creek, Porirua, the Porirua Wealth Pool (PWP) is turning these challenges into opportunities for collective growth. Ruth Nonu, a Community Innovation Worker at Te Hiko Wesley Community Action, has been at the heart of this initiative. Through her leadership and facilitation, Ruth exemplifies how community-led development can empower individuals and transform systems.
“I have been involved with Community-Led Development since completing the Good Cents course in 2019. I joined the Porirua Wealth Pool in 2020, and since then, I’ve worked closely with our members to co-design processes, facilitate bi-monthly meetings, and provide relational support to those navigating financial challenges.”
The PWP operates on a simple yet powerful premise: community members save together and loan to each other interest-free. Ruth describes her role as a “bridge” between the community and the administrative systems that underpin the wealth pool. Her preparation for each hui (meeting) is meticulous:
“Before every meeting, I coordinate with our financial administrator, follow up on actions, prepare agendas, print essential documents, and even shop for kai. I also spend time with new members to ensure they understand our processes.”
Reflecting on her journey with PWP, Ruth highlights the importance of building trust and fostering shared leadership:
“For me, CLD is about creating spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. It’s about walking alongside people as they navigate challenges and celebrating their wins along the way.”
Applying CLD Principles in Practice
A standout example from Ruth’s mahi highlights the application of core CLD principles:
“At one hui, a member (MA) was facing a challenging financial situation. They felt a deep sense of mamae (pain) and shame. I chose to meet face-to-face, providing a safe, non-judgmental space to explore solutions together. This approach not only alleviated their immediate stress but upheld our shared values of trust and aroha.”
Ruth’s facilitation skills came to the fore when MA’s proposed solution required collective agreement. Ruth ensured the process was transparent and inclusive:
“During the hui, I introduced MA’s problem and shared our proposed solutions. Every member was given a chance to voice their perspective. In the end, we collectively agreed on a resolution, and I made sure to highlight how well we handled this tough conversation as a group.”
This moment exemplifies the power of CLD – solutions are co-created, and everyone’s voice matters.
Reflections and Learnings
Ruth is candid about the learning journey:
“I made a mistake in an earlier voting process, but with the help of our administrator, we adapted. Together, we updated our processes to prevent similar issues in the future. This is learning by doing—an essential part of our CLD approach.”
She also emphasises the importance of fostering leadership within the community:
“At every meeting, I encourage members to step into leadership roles. Guided facilitation allows them to build confidence while contributing to the group’s success. Seeing members grow and take ownership fills my cup.”
Insights
From an outsider’s perspective, Ruth’s work embodies several key benefits of the CLD approach:
- Strengthening Relationships: Trust and collaboration deepen when community members work together on shared financial goals.
- Adaptive Problem-Solving: CLD embraces imperfection, using challenges as opportunities to refine processes and grow collectively.
- Building Local Leadership: By nurturing leadership within the community, initiatives like PWP ensure sustainability and resilience.
The Value of the CLD Micro-Credential
Ruth’s story also highlights the value of the CLD Micro-Credential program, delivered in partnership with Otago Polytechnic. Through reflective journaling and real-world case studies, participants like Ruth gain formal recognition for their work while developing new skills and tools.
Ruth reflects on her learning journey:
“The micro-credential has been a valuable tool in my kete. It’s helped me to adapt and improve my facilitation skills, and to reflect deeply on our processes and practices. I’m grateful for the ongoing support from my team and the PWP members who continue to engage with aroha.”
Encouragement for Others
Ruth’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of community-led development. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or new to CLD, the micro-credential offers a pathway to deepen your practice and gain formal accreditation.
Are you ready to join a growing community of changemakers? Learn more about the CLD Micro-Credential here.
Walking Together
As Ruth often reminds her team, “What can we do together that we can’t do alone?” Her work with the Porirua Wealth Pool demonstrates that when communities lead, powerful change happens, not just in systems, but in the lives of individuals.