Skot Barnett and Heather Carnegie have both been nominated as President Current Gay Auckland Business Association President Skot Barnett is being challenged for the role by Executive Member Heather Carnegie, with the vote to be held at the organisation’s AGM tonight. Supporters of each of the candidates have been rallying members to attend the AGM at The Empire from 6PM, and vote. Barnett has been on the GABA Executive for three years, and President for the past year. “My focus has been on leveraging my business experience and connections to advance the cause of GLBTIQ people in the Auckland business community by raising the profile of the organisation, raising our voice across different issues and raising the level of what we do above and beyond being a social and business networking organisation. And this focus has paid off,” he says. “Initiatives such as the AUT GABA Business Series, the launch of the GABA VIP zone for the Pride Parade and using my representation on the Marriage Equality Committee and the 100%OK campaign to bring a business focus has attracted new interest and new sponsors to GABA. In my time thus far as President, membership has increased, our finances have become stronger, corporate involvement has grown and more member offers than ever are coming through.” Barnett says he wants to continue to grow and build on the relationships GABA has, “especially those new ones we have developed, like our new venue in the Hilton for the Charitable Auction for 2014, and raise the profile and impact of GABA on our communities to benefit those communities, and our members and their businesses”. Carnegie is a health and safety specialist with a double Masters in Management and Occupational Safety and Health, as well as a Masters in Business. She has been an Executive Member of GABA overseeing events for the past year, and led the team that ran the 2014 Auckland Pride Parade “GlamZone”. “I am also proud to have been a part of the Auckland community for many years, owning Footsteps night club and also co-owner of Glamz! Cabaret in Hamilton. The new membership card scanner was an initiative I introduced this year, which has sped up door entry and improved the experience so members have more time to network. And there’s more benefits to come,” Carnegie says. “I have the enthusiasm and passion to drive forward many projects to completion, and look forward to serving my community as GABA President. My skills include professionalism, integrity, leadership, listening, innovation, drive, and passion to succeed. My visions for GABA include increasing membership and retention, encouraging a team approach to achieving shared goals, and generating ideas to take GABA in a new and exciting direction.” Roger Hiscock has been put forward as Treasurer, and Ashley Barratt as Secretary. Stuart Angel, Blair Cooper, Toni Duder, Mark Fisher, Sheryl Glasse, Andy Jalfon, Mark Jenkins, Richard Kittelty, Charlotte Lee, Richard Pereira and Jackie Russell-Green have all been nominated for the GABA Executive. There has been some discussion about the voting system and after taking legal Advice, GABA has announced there will be one vote is provided per paid up membership entity, not to all individuals under the entity. “There were a variety of interpretations of the rules as set in the constitution, which as a result will be reviewed and any agreed changes made as part of a future constitutional review,” the group says in a post on its website. There will be no votes by proxy. GABA AGM The Empire, 137 Victoria Street West 6PM-7PM
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 20th August 2014 - 11:56am