Eileen Bone will be remembered as a tireless worker for Humanism in New Zealand and for the Humanist Society of New Zealand (HSNZ) in particular. It was Eileen's wish that her work should continue after her death (on 10 February 2000) and she left a generous sum of money to support her favourite Humanist causes. As one of Eileen's executors and her main beneficiary, I have decided to carry out her wishes by establishing a trust to administer her bequest. However, after some thought, I have extended the scope of the trust to administer not only Eileen's bequest but also any similar donation from supporters of Humanism in New Zealand. Each donation will be administered separately and in strict accordance with the wishes of the donor by the New Zealand Humanist Charitable Trust.
The named beneficiaries in the Trust deed are the Humanist Society of New Zealand (HSNZ) and the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (NZARH) but the scope can be widened to include any other group within New Zealand affiliated to the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). Beneficiaries can apply to the Trust for monies from any of the funds appropriate to a particular project. For instance, HSNZ might apply for money to support any future work with refugees; NZARH might apply for funding for a visit by an overseas speaker on voluntary euthanasia. Provided these applications meet the criteria for a particular fund (and money is available) the applications will be approved. Initially the only fund available is Eileen?s bequest and applications will have to be considered against Eileen?s wishes, which she set out in a letter.
Donations directly to any Humanist group are to be encouraged and it is not the intention of the Trust to discourage them. Rather it is hoped that the Trust will provide another option for those who do not wish to donate to Humanist groups directly. For example, the Trust will respect the wishes of those Humanists and non-Humanists who only wish to support welfare projects undertaken by Humanist groups.
The Public Trustee will administer the Trust.
The purpose of the Trust is to:
Provide funding for seminars and other educational activities to promote public understanding and discussion of ethics and Humanism;
Assist any charitable activities by any Humanist Group within New Zealand;
Make loans or advances to any Humanist Group or similar non-profit body in New Zealand for projects similar to the above.
The guiding principles for all activities of the Trust will be the principles of Humanism as defined in the Humanist Manifesto I, Humanist Manifesto II and Humanist Manifesto 2000.
'Humanist Group' includes HSNZ, NZARH and any other similar organisation in New Zealand the members of which are also members of IHEU.
The Trustee will be advised by a Committee of 3-7 members appointed by the Protector of the Trust. The Committee members must be members of IHEU directly or through an affiliated body. To begin with I will carry out the role of Protector but on my resignation or death the role will be assumed by the Trustee in consultation with the presidents of HSNZ and NZARH.
The members of the inaugural Committee are Geoffrey Palmer, Joan McCracken, Peter Offenberger and myself. For purely practical reasons I have restricted membership to people in the Wellington region. All of us have been national office holders in HSNZ and all are members of NZARH. Most of us are not currently active in organised Humanism and appointment to the Committee provides us with an opportunity to resume our contribution without placing a further load on those who are working elsewhere in the movement.
The Committee will meet two or four times a year to consider applications for funds. The Trustee will lodge a copy of the Trust Deed with both HSNZ and NZARH and will provide a statement annually to the AGMs of both organisations. I hope that the Trust will benefit all Humanist groups in New Zealand and that they in turn will support it through advertising.
The Trust will exist in perpetuity and I hope it will be a fitting legacy for Eileen Bone.
Donations or bequests should be made to:
New Zealand Humanist Charitable Trust, Public Trust, PO Box 5024,
Wellington.
