In doing this I noticed, through my contacts that the YMCA was also going for the same contract so rather than competing I collaborated with them in applying for the contract.
I believe that I am an expert in my field (Then Truancy) and after meeting with their CEO and senior staff, I believed that they could provide a lot to our wayward truanting youth in Taranaki through their service links.
Unfortunately we missed the contract and it was given to an inexperienced Maori organisation.
The reason that the YMCA did not get the contract for the Taranaki (new) Attendance Service.
Reason your tender was unsuccessful
Your proposal met most of the requirements requested under the RFP but was not ranked overall as the preferred respondent for the service in question. Specifically the evaluation considered that your proposal failed to demonstrate your cultural capability for Maori and Pasifika.
Does that say that they are NOT culturally sensitive? Or is it saying you have to be Maori/Pacifika to operate a Truancy Service in Taranaki?
I am European and successfully operated two District Truancy Service's in Taranaki for 12 years.
Many of my clients were Maori. all of those families would rather work with me that their own Iwi.
So the (new) service is given to an organisation who has little understanding or sympathy with any European Culture, they didn't want to use any of the existing services (Experts in the work of Truancy over the past 18 years), did not want any files relating to historic families etc.
It also needs to be understood that Taranaki has a 50/50 Euro/Maori Attendance problem with very few Pasifika. Pasifika has a small church in New Plymouth which is the only link to that particular culture base.
And thats NOT mentioning the Iwi problems that are going to evolve (North Maori vs Central & South etc)
I believe that once again the Ministry of Education has made a hash of things. A bit like NO(va) Pay.
But as usual we are 'dictated to' by the powers that be.
I can really relate to the Principal that accused the Ministry of Education in New Zealand of being like Nazi'
The way they implement their agendas has a familiar ring to it.
sd :)