Cornerstone - Whare Karakia Filled to the Gunwales!

Robyn from Kerikeri District

Last Monday evening (26 August), the user group organising an event at Cornerstone, plus the Cornerstone family who were present, were surprised and almost overwhelmed by the numbers of people who turned up for the Meet the Candidates event.

Usually these events have 50-60 people at best. The total count last Monday was 225.

As a result, there were a lot of things learnt and some decisions made to make things better for future occasions.

Although, when the unexpected hits, the situation cannot be anything but unexpected. Given the circumstances, those leading the night did an amazing job.

What is important for us now at Cornerstone is to be sure we have things in place that will help avoid problems and upsets as much as possible.

For example, we've bit the financial bullet and ordered another sound and visual control unit, to guarantee no glitches in controlling volume level (and avoiding squealing).

We know too that parking wardens are essential for any events likely to have 50 or more people.

The setting out of chairs is something that always needs care and consideration. And nobody needs to be left standing. (If they were with our chair count, we'd be over our official FNDC approved numbers!)

If you've any suggestions to help Cornerstone be the really good community facility we want it to be, please let us know. Our place is your place. Community Space with a Spiritual Heart. A place to feel at home.

Write your comments here or contact us at cornerstone@kkup.org.nz. If you'd be willing to be on an "as available" list of people who could help with support tasks for big events, e.g. parking, setting out extra chairs, being a group's technical assistant, please let us know. This could be voluntary or could be offered to groups as a paid extra.