Yesterday was the last official day for verbal submissions on the proposal to phase out TECT cheques.
Over the past three days members of the public got up one by one to voice their concerns, opinions and recommendations to a table of TECT trustees at the Historic Village in central Tauranga.
If needed, there will be an additional day of verbal submissions on Monday from 10am-4pm.
The current TECT trustees want to phase out TECT cheques, starting with a one-off $2500 cheque this year plus five more annual cheques of $360 each.
The trustees have proposed putting all the annual returns from its Trustpower shares and other investments into the TECT Charitable Trust that was set up in 2002 to ensure the share of the money paid to community organisations was not taxed.
They say they are trying to future-proof the organisation in a climate of rapid technological and political change.