The Bright Five

The Quick Guide to the Programmes used to Implement our Objectives

The Bright Five are five programmes each overseen by one Young Nationals Southern Region (YNSR) Executive Member and implemented with the help of all of our Members.

1. Brighter Prospects
Our objective is to increase and enhance the career prospects of our Members. This programme aims to connect Members to other Party Members and individuals within the business community through 6 month internships. By doing so we provide a tangible incentive for membership within the YNSR in order to increase our membership. We also develop connections between YNSR Members and other Party Members, local authorities and officials, and other influential individuals. This enhances our ability to influence decision making at all levels.

2. Brighter Connections
Our objective is to create new and vibrant social connections and networks for our Members. This programme aims to provide our Members with coordinated social activities and events under the YNSR and National Party banner. It aims to create an environment conducive to fun and teamwork, while developing a sense of belonging within the National Party brand. We will create and subsidise both social sporting and non-sporting teams and events to compete within the community and provide a more social aspect to the YNSR. By doing so we provide reasons for joining the YNSR that might not normally apply to the usual types of Members. This enables us to broaden our membership base and maximise our membership opportunities. By developing a positive social culture based on teamwork and activity we are able to show ourselves as more than just an advocacy or lobby group. By interacting with other groups and teams outside of the normal political sphere we are also able to develop some influence in non-traditional areas.

3. Brighter Communities
Our objective is to develop a strong reputation for positive community involvement and support. This programme aims to strengthen ties between the local community and both YNSR as a whole, and with our individual Members. We will engage regularly with local community groups and charities to offer assistance, support and volunteers however we can. We will put our Members forward to be part of local community boards and committees to

make a positive contribution. Bi-monthly, we will undertake a community project aimed at improving some aspect of our local community. This programme provides valuable connections to proven community work for Members, which is an asset to any persons CV. More importantly, it increases our reputation as a genuine community group and positive contributor to local groups and charities. By acting in a manner which allows others to view us in a positive light, we increase our influence at a local level. We also increase our influence by directly contributing to decisions made at community board and committee levels.

4. Brighter Voices
Our objective is to assume the position of strongest advocate for youth in the Southern Region. This programme aims to position the YNSR as the strongest and most well respected advocacy group for youth in the Southern Region. We will represent our Members on all matters which directly affect them as young people in the Southern Region, and as New Zealanders. We will implement a strategy of cooperative-confrontation with the University of Otago and the Otago University Students Association by, wherever possible, working with them to achieve positive outcomes for our Members, and, wherever necessary, holding them to account when they are not acting in the best interests of our Members. We will aim to have our Members participating within those organisations in order to represent our Members interests, and we will run campaigns which seek to further our Members interests. We will adopt this strategy when dealing with any other relevant organisations and institutions. Positioning ourselves as a credible alternative advocacy support group will be important to our Members as the University and the OUSA work closer together. By acting reasonably, professionally and in our Members interests, we will become an attractive and viable organisation for disaffected young people to join. This will enable us to extend our influence throughout the Southern Region where Members have issues with other organisations.

5. Brighter Studies
Our objective is to ensure the academic and intellectual strength and success of our Members. This programme will connect older and more knowledgeable Members with younger Members who require assistance with their studies. We will connect Members and run free tutorials and study sessions where possible in order to ensure our Members are able to do as well as possible in their educational requirements. We will pair new Members with older Members where necessary in a mentoring relationship. Producing positive academic outcomes for our Members will result in them being better able to articulate our policies and points of view to others. Successful Members will be able to reflect a successful organisation. It also provides a tangible reason for young people to join the YNSR.