Nambawan Super Limited delivered its 2021 Annual Member and Employer Conference through the National Broadcasting Commission of Papua New Guinea (NBC PNG) on Thursday, 20 May 2021.
The partnership between NBC PNG and Nambawan Super enabled the Fund to become the first super fund in PNG to broadcast a Conference nationwide through television and radio.
Nambawan Super Chief Executive Officer Paul Sayer said he was pleased the Fund could reach more employer representatives and members to update them about the Fund’s activities in 2020, including highlights and challenges.
“We were able to reach a lot more audiences with members being able to watch on NBC Television, as well as listening in on NBC Radio. In addition, we had the video available on our website, YouTube channel, and Facebook and LinkedIn pages, for those who could conveniently access the internet.”
In addition, over 400 members registered they were planning on viewing the conference. Close to 100 employers registered 3,500 of their employees were going watch or listen to the conference from their workplaces.
“The most significant outcome is that we opened up access to our conference more than ever before, and being pushed to think differently due to Covid-19 restrictions in place.
Whilst going through 2020 results, highlights, and challenges, CEO Paul Sayer said we didn’t anticipate that we would actually be doing this employer conference via virtual.
“But it’s part of the responses that we’ve had this year in thinking around how can we still engage with our members although the environment has been changing,” Mr Sayer said.
“2020 wasn’t quite the year that we had planned. We’d started the year with our brand re-launch back in February and we also were thinking about many interactions with our members, large scale member engagements sessions as well as the employer engagements that we would have.”
Presenters had 90 minutes to share what is usually delivered in a one-day conference in Port Moresby.
As per tradition, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Vere Arava delivered a Prayer with Nambawan Super Limited Chairman, Mr. Reg Monagi did the opening Welcome remarks.
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Sayer, provided an overview of the Fund’s 2020 Performance and Highlights and outlined a range of initiatives the Fund has been exploring to help members buy a home.
New Chief Investment Officer, Mr. David Kitchnoge, presented the Investment performance in greater detail.
Presenting for the first time in 2021, Mrs. Evangeline Taunao, Manager Branch Operations, presented a detailed look of Member Outcomes in 2020 and outlined some new projects underway in 2021 such as the refurbishment of the Nambawan Super Mt Hagen Branch.
Mr. Chris Mota, Manager Employer Relations, provided an update on current Employer initiatives including the new Employer Payment Portal that will make remitting member contributions easier and more efficient for employers.
The final presentation was from the CEO of Nambawan Savings and Loans Society. NSLS has been helping Nambawan Super members save for their short-term needs for more than a decade.
Throughout the conference, four Members were featured, sharing their hopes and dreams for retirement – and with the benefit of hindsight paid gave their younger selves advice.
Some members reflected on how money wasn’t important once, but now it is, and learning how to manage money was very important.
Felix Nabanat said he wished his younger self knew about Voluntary Contribution – as he could have started sooner and had an even better balance now.
Philomena Malinguta said she would recommend her younger self to save money a bit earlier in life.
She also said now she saves money today to ensure she can pay for many important things, like school fees and customary obligations when they arise.
After the televised presentation, everyone was invited to switch to NBC radio to participate in the Live Question and Answers with presenters from the conference.
The Nambawan Super Employer Conference has traditionally seen Employer Representatives travel to Port Moresby to receive updates and engage with the Fund.
Last year, Nambawan streamed their conference to 5 streaming hubs, and to anywhere in PNG with an internet connection.
The format was extremely well received with attendees, but many people in rural and remote areas weren’t able to connect via Facebook or zoom.
Covid-19 restrictions have encouraged the Fund to explore new ways of delivering our services, including the Employer Conference.
