Building Welcoming Communities in Gore
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Building Welcoming Communities in Gore
Micro-credential 2024 Cohort Profile
Guillaume Willemse, Community Development Team Lead at Gore District Council
Guillaume Willemse, the Community Development Team Lead at Gore District Council, plays a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and community-led development through the Welcoming Communities initiative. This MBIE-endorsed programme aims to support newcomers and migrants, easing their transition while promoting social and economic integration.
Reimagining the Welcome Pack
I’ve been tasked to reinvent and relaunch a Welcome Pack that gets handed to newcomers when they arrive in the district. The pack contains information about the district, settling-in assistance, and is distributed through local businesses, our information hub, and the library. I also use the forms included in the packs to collect and collate data for the council.
To improve, we’re revisiting resources like the Welcome Pack, which can become outdated. We’re working on a digital version to ensure accessibility and reduce costs, with support from our communications team to align with internal policies.
Embracing Diversity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Coming from South Africa, a country with eleven official languages, I’ve learned that respecting diverse cultures is essential for fostering inclusivity. This belief drives my work, especially as I plan a significant workshop on Te Tiriti o Waitangi for newcomers and migrants in the Gore district, home to forty-five ethnicities.
During the planning stages, I consulted with the local Runanga to seek their blessing and input. This collaboration is vital in ensuring that the workshop is culturally appropriate and well-received. A Southland Māori tutor approved by the local Kai Tahu iwi will lead the workshop, offering a culturally inclusive and meaningful experience for our newcomers.
Challenges and Adaptations
Initially, I thought organising the event would be straightforward. I planned to collaborate with a group who specialise in delivering workshops about Te Tiriti o Waitangi. However, I encountered resistance. The local Runanga expressed their discomfort with using that group, emphasising the importance of having a tutor approved by Ngāi Tahu.
At this point, I realised that moving forward without consulting the local iwi could lead to strained relationships with key community leaders. What seemed like a challenge soon turned into an opportunity for growth. By engaging with local leaders and iwi, I secured their support and built stronger relationships. This experience underscored the importance of involving the right stakeholders.
Reflection on Growth
Reflecting on my manager’s feedback, I recognise that while I have a solid understanding of the requirements expected of a facilitator in CLD, there are still areas where I need to improve. My manager noted my strengths in delivering across all facets of the role and acknowledged my growth during my thirteen months in the position.
Feedback from a peer highlighted my strengths as a facilitator. During a session I led, I shared my personal story, which helped build trust and connection. My facilitation resonated with the diverse audience of migrants and locals, who appreciated the relatability of my journey as a newcomer myself.
Through this work, I’ve learned the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone, collaborating with diverse groups, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Mistakes are part of the process, and as long as I own them and learn from them, I will continue to improve.
Key Insights and Future Directions
Every piece of work should encompass all CLD principles to ensure every facet of the project is addressed. These principles include growing from a shared local vision, building from strengths, working with diverse people and sectors, fostering collaborative leadership, and learning by doing.
To ensure continuous growth, I’ve developed a reflective practice plan. This includes maintaining a reflective log, engaging in peer reflection, and gathering feedback from the community. I will continue to learn through workshops and courses, integrating new knowledge into my work.
By embedding these practices, I aim to foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring my facilitation remains responsive, adaptive, and impactful for the community.
Through their work with Welcoming Communities, Guillaume Willemse demonstrates the power of cultural inclusivity, collaboration, and reflection in building stronger communities. This journey highlights the importance of adaptability, stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to growth in community-led development.
Are you ready to join a growing community of changemakers? Learn more about the CLD Micro-credential here.
This case study is drawn from Guillaume Willemse’s mahi over the course of the Micro-Credential in Community-Led Development (CLD) Facilitation. Shared in their own words, it has been lightly edited by Inspiring Communities for clarity and to suit a blog format while staying true to their experience and insights..