Two new Board members have been appointed the co-chairs of Auckland Pride Festival Inc. Vinnie Sykes and Kirsten Sibbit have taken on the roles. The Board held its AGM this month. Kirsten Sibbit and Vinnie Sykes, the new board co-chairs Sibbit is a UK-qualified lawyer, who began life working in corporate law before moving into major event consultancy. Sykes has has an extensive background working with multi-national corporate organisations. Auckland Pride says both are passionate about the potential for the Auckland Pride Festival to impact positively on the lives of lgbtiq people. Shirley Allan has been made Secretary and Julie Swift is the new Treasurer. Allan is an event specialist with a freelance television background. Swift has been on Auckland Pride's Board since its inception, and steps down as Secretary role to take up the role of Treasurer. “Now that we have a full complement of Board Members with an exceptional range of skill sets and experience, Pride can continue to move forward and build on the past success of the Festival," says Sykes, after being appointed co-chair. “Over the next few months we will hold a series of community meetings and we will be calling for expressions of interest to deliver key Pride Festival events.” Auckland Pride says at the AGM commitments were made to focus on: -Improving governance and code of conduct - Securing additional major commercial partnerships - Increased engagement with the LGBTIQ Community, Stakeholders and Consultant Members - A review the Rules/Constitution to include Treaty of Waitangi obligations - Incorporating a Human Rights focus in the Festival - Obtaining Charitable Status - Trademarking the Auckland Pride Festival brand
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 30th July 2015 - 3:03pm