COMMUNITY

The Angelman Network embraces the Māori worldview, where community and connection are deeply intertwined. Concepts like whanaungatanga (kinship and relationships), kotahitanga (unity and togetherness), and manaakitanga (hospitality and generosity) emphasize the importance of nurturing relationships and supporting one another. Kotahitanga refers to unity, togetherness, and solidarity, highlighting the importance of working together towards a common goal.

"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahiengari he toa takimano /

my strength is not that of the individual but that of the collective"

- Maori proverb

Our Vision / O motor kitenga

That people with Angelman syndrome are / Te tangata mau i te mate AS ka:

accepted and acknowledged as unique individuals / whakaaetia, manakotia hoki kia u ki to rátou mana ake
given access to a full language system (AAC) so that their voices can be heard / kia whiwhi ai ki nga ara reo kia rongohia ai o ratou reo e te katoa ma roto i te àpititanga me etahi atu whakamòhiotanga
valued as contributing members of their community / kia whai hua rátou hei tángata tákoha nó tó rátou hápori

The Angelman Community in Aotearoa NZ

Connecting as a nation-wide Angelman community, supporting each other, raising awareness, advocating, and fundraising, all go hand in hand. Through family gatherings and successful events across the motu, we’ve built stronger networks together, helped raised public awareness, and fundraised to support our objectives.

We encourage all New Zealand families impacted by AS to spread awareness in your own local communities, social circles, and workplaces. Proactive families inspire one another. We call on families to organize events or participate in local community events, and to share personal stories with your local media to reach a wider audience. By being visible, families can become a beacon for others - to help foster community support and reduce the isolation faced by those who live with Angelman syndrome.

The Global Angelman Community

The Angelman Network is connected worldwide through social media and partnerships with other AS organizations. The global Angelman community is a proactive, united force advocating for those who cannot speak, and their families. Together, we celebrate International Angelman Day on February 15th. As a united global community, our 'rare' voices are stronger and we are able to achieve more, together.

Would you like to organise a family gathering?

Please let us know when and where, and we can send out an invitation to our database to those families in your region. We can also post a notice in our Facebook groups or create a Facebook Event for you. Contact us directly if you need any advice or assistance.

Are you interested in fundraising?

The Angelman Network is a whanau-driven registered Charity based in Aotearoa NZ. Fundraising for The Angelman Network goes directly towards supporting families in NZ, helps to raise awareness, and educates local communities. A Fundraiser is also a great opportunity to share stories about the challenges families face, and the importance of advocacy and research. Fundraising connects groups, organizations, and supporters.

We encourage families to create events inspired by your loved one with AS, and by sharing their story to advocate for change, acceptance, and more research. If you'd like to host a fundraising event, we’re here to help! Please read through the legal implications, below.

Working Together to Raise Funds

The Angelman Network will:

provide a Letter of Authority to you to proceed with your fundraiser, if required
sign up you/your team on our Givealittle fundraising site as a CHAMPION or an EVENT – this will provide/ensure automatic email receipts for tax deductible donations and is a simple and secure way to collect donations.
provide informative material – TAN brochures and flyers – that help to explain Angelman Syndrome and the objectives of The Angelman Network
advertise your event through our social networks (Facebook group/page) and via our newsletter database
send Certificates of Appreciation and a personal Thank You note, to any corporate group, school, or organisation assisting you.

Legal Obligations for Charities in NZ

NB: To comply with our legal obligations as a charity, we must consider the following when fundraising:

We are a registered charitable trust based in NZ.
We rely entirely on fundraising & grants to fund our expenses and activities to support those impacted by Angelman syndrome in Aotearoa NZ.
Please note: Any event that uses The Angelman Network or International Angelman Day logos or promotional material, must first be approved by our Trust Board.
We will send you a Letter of Authority if you wish to run a fundraiser. This protects both you and TAN. The person to whom the is addressed will be responsible for the event.
You will need to ensure the safety of the event (OSH). We can assist you with a safety checklist but The Angelman Network cannot provide public liability insurance cover on behalf of third parties. We would suggest you liaise with your venue to obtain details of your guests’ insurance cover.
Upon completion of your fundraiser event, please provide all outstanding funds to The Angelman Network asap so that we can complete receipting requirements.
Please also provide us with a tally of any taxable donation receipts we need to provide to your attendees.
Please ensure that no debts are incurred in the name of The Angelman Network as we will not be held responsible for any debt that we do not guarantee.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who fundraises for our charitable cause.