From the State Office

The NHW State Office has been working tirelessly over the past 4 months to ensure a smooth transition with our new sponsor, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). From a NHW State Office perspective, we will be working very closely with the REIQ local police and NHW members at all levels of the NHW Program to ensure currency, relevance and that the future is well planned, communicated and embraced by you and the communities in which you live. To ensure currency and relevance of the NHW Program a number of changes and proposed changes to current NHW policy, procedures and processes are outlined for your information below. Also, please remember that there is an appropriate communication channel for responses to any queries or resolving of any NHW issues that you may have.

This communication channel is outlined in the NHW Administration Procedures, Section 1.4 ‘Processing of issues’.

NHW State Newsletter

Over the next 12 to 18 months you will observe and experience significant changes to the format, production and distribution of the NHW State Newsletter. These changes aim to encourage a wider reading audience through the use of information technology (e-mail, internet), encourage effective communication between NHW groups and local police and significantly reduce the workload of the NHW State Office.

One of the changes will be the reduction in hard copies that are posted out by the NHW State Office. From the next edition a maximum of 25 copies will be available to individual NHW Groups. However, NHW Groups will always be able to obtain as many newsletter copies as they require to promote the NHW program. These extra copies are available and can be printed from the newsletters link on the NHW internet site at www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/crimePrevention/nhw/ or through contact with your local District Crime Prevention Coordinator (DCPC) and/or a local supporter.

State Rally News

The 2007 NHW State Rally is being held on Saturday 20th October at Kershaw House, Glenmore Road, Rockhampton. The theme for this years rally is Moving Forward. Sergeant Ashley Hull from the Rockhampton DCPC (07 49321594) and his team are in the final stages of organising the rally. You will see from the agenda, it is an event not to be missed. The registration brochure is available through your DCPC and is being placed in the upcoming events link on the NHW Internet site at www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/crimePrevention/nhw/

See you there!

Insurance

All NHW Groups have been provided with Public Liability Insurance with Suncorp Metway, Policy Number CDP89871C refers. Any queries relating to this policy and any change of contact details for your NHW Group should be directed to AON Insurance Services on 1300 309 797. Please ensure that you are fully aware of the scope of cover offered, any unacceptable risks and the mandatory exclusion.

It must be stressed that the provision of Public Liability Insurance for NHW groups does not preclude any NHW Group from negotiating their own Public Liability Insurance Policy. A Public Liability information brochure is available for your perusal at the following link www.treasury.qld.gov.au/subsites/groupinsurance/

NHW Groups seeking to obtain Voluntary Workers Personal Accident Insurance and/or similar type of insurance are encouraged to make contact with an accredited Insurance Brokerage Company. AON Australia Brokers have negotiated a premium for Voluntary Workers Personal Accident Insurance that is available to members of Neighbourhood Watch Queensland. Any NHW Group seeking to obtain this type of insurance can make contact with AON Insurance Services on 1300 309 797 or another accredited insurance broker.

Any Insurance Policy taken out by NHW Groups will be managed directly by them with the relevant insurer.

NHW Forums

During May to August 2007 the NHW State Office in partnership with local police and NHW groups conducted both Regional and District NHW Forums in North Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns and in selected rural areas of Queensland. These forums provided a platform for NHW issues to be raised that required consideration at a State level. The timing of these forums also allowed the NHW State Office to provide extensive information to NHW members and police about the current status/future direction of the NHW Program.

A number of changes to the NHW Charter and Administration Procedures have been identified and will be addressed shortly. As these forums were very successful, a similar format in May and June 2008 is being proposed for all police regions.

Please remember that the proposed forums for 2008 to be conducted by the NHW State Office will supplement your local and district forums and will only involve NHW members representing their respective districts.

NHW Merchandise

New merchandise with the REIQ logo has been ordered and is expected to be delivered and made available to NHW groups in late August or early September. Included in this order are NHW reflective vests which were very successfully trialled at the NHW forums. The merchandise order form is being updated to reflect these changes and will be able to be accessed shortly.

NHW Stationery Requisition Form

Conclusion

Currently we have 632 active NHW groups in Queensland. Each of you play a very important part in ensuring that Queensland is a safe place to live. With your continued support and commitment to promote crime prevention, personal safety and in engaging with your local community, you make my role o ne that I thoroughly enjoy.

Sergeant Steve Batterham
State Coordinator NHW
Ph 3234 2111