Kia ora tātou,

I write this on Mātariki weekend, and I hope you are all enjoying the events that are occurring to celebrate this midwinter time of looking towards the stars, the turning of seasons, remembering the old stories and the people who have passed. A uniquely Aotearoa celebration with themes that echo in cultures all around the world.

Reflecting on our past year is something we are in the midst of, as we prepare our annual report for the year April 2023-March 2024. The summary of our mahi over the year always brings me pleasure. We do so much, with minimal financial and material resources! Pat yourselves on the back, we deserve it. Much of the work of compiling the report, both financial and narrative, is thanks to Sue Bingham our finance volunteer and Mathilde Le Goff, our current Board administrator intern. I say ‘current’ but am feeling very sad that in a week’s time that will no longer be true. Mathilde’s time with us has come to an end, and she will be travelling our beautiful country for a short while before returning to her studies in France. Merci beaucoup Mathilde, you have been fabulous to work with: I asked you to ‘be my brain’ while you were here, and that is what you have done – parfait!

Mathilde and Bruce Manning have made a great Property Team over the last five months, first project managing the installation of a new heat pump in our Brandon Street office, and now installing some AV equipment in the boardroom. We now have the capability for online meetings in the boardroom and are able to show presentations without everyone trying to gather around a laptop. Our thanks to them both for making it happen.

The Conference is coming up on 5 October, and we look forward to seeing many of you there. The Minister for Women, Nicola Grigg, has agreed to speak to us; we will be holding the AGM; and there will be three Action Hub workshops for you to contribute to. The evening dinner will include presentation of Distinguished Service Awards for Branch members, Organisational representatives and Action Hub members who stand out as our star contributors – we will be asking for nominations very soon.

We will also be asking for nominations for the Board. This year we have two members whose term is continuing – Anmar Taufeek and Kerri Du Pont. We will need to elect a President and three extra Board members and to appoint an Aspiring Board member. So, for all of you who are thinking about standing for the Board, there will be continuity and support for you! Not to mention our great team of operational volunteers.

We need people who are committed to the kaupapa of NCWNZ, and to the organisation as a means of amplifying the voices of women. We need people who are prepared to commit time and energy to the mahi, who understand that being on the Board is about publicly speaking for and promoting NCWNZ not their personal views (trust me, personal views are aired at Board meetings). Is this you? Are you ready to make a difference for NCWNZ? Talk to your NCWNZ colleagues, talk to Board members, and seriously consider – am I going to be one of the new Board members?

E mihi ana ki a koutou,
Suzanne

To read more articles from The Circular (May-June 2024) issue 647, click on the tag below.