Dealing with client conundrums and complications is not always what life at the office is about for Citizens Advice Bureau Helensville volunteers.
CAB Helensville bouquet
Some parts can be a whole lot of fun- in fact lately- limericks.
“Our branch delivered the most entries in the CAB North Shore/Rodney Limerick competition so there’s more than luck of the Irish at stake,” says manager Rani Timoti. “Our wordsmiths were on a roll, not only for a laugh but for a promotional outcome.”
The competition is the brainchild of volunteer Tim Charman, who is also our CAB North Shore/ Rodney projects manager who is keen to see limericks from our seven branches play out for future awareness campaigns.
Tim says the limericks will be very useful as part of his steering group’s work with Auckland CABs ultimately contributing to fulfilling the Auckland CAB’s Long Term Plan as agreed with Auckland Council.
Initially, information about the Limerick Citizen’s Information Service in Ireland inspired the competition which covers the topics: Why I became, or am, a CAB volunteer and a story about a client interaction.
So here are some of CAB Helensville’s contributions:
There was a mum from Helensville,
Who found she had some time to kill,
Help she would,
If she could,
Those put through the mill.
I thought that I might,
Like to join the good fight,
It’s all about fairness,
And raising awareness,
So everyone knows their rights.
When I was struggling and needed help,
All I had to do was shout,
People gathered in unity,
What a great community!
Now it’s my turn to help out.
A client proudly bought a truck,
But that was when things came unstuck,
Some added extras were not legit,
Which tempted him to throw a fit,
When then dealer said ‘You’re outta luck!’
The client approached our door,
He spoke, looking down at the floor,
But with info in hand,
Equipped to stand,
He left smiling and focussed once more.
Struggling to deal with immigration,
His wife is from a different nation,
Driving him berserk,
Were the loads of paperwork,
CAB helped relieve his frustration.
At CAB Helensville we go the extra mile,
To relieve a problem and generate a smile,
Our clients are diverse in matters and issues,
Some need support and others need tissues,
In the service we disperse we aim to reconcile.
Whakawhirinaki is our pou,
Reaping clients’ problems is what we sow,
He waka eke noa,
Rowing together, going forward,
Kia kaha, manakitanga, way to go!!!
CAB Helensville is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm or Saturday, 10am to noon. On Tuesdays we have our budget clinic and everyday there is a JP available on site or nearby.
