The lack of any remits lined up for the NZ AIDS Foundation's November AGM is a sign that the organisation's members are happy with the work being done and the direction it is taking, according to its chief executive. "Having no remits is a sign that there are no constitutional issues and that members understand and are happy with what we are doing," Executive Director Shaun Robinson says. A lively public debate earlier this year was triggered by the release of the 2014 HIV epidemiological report which showed a continuing increase in new HIV infections. The debate centered on whether prevention techniques other than condom use should be more widely embraced and promoted by the NZAF. "That debate was clearly healthy and showed that we needed to communicate such matters more clearly and fully with the members," says Robinson. Apart from regular housekeeping matters the only business scheduled to be covered at the November 21 AGM will be the election of a new board member from four candidates. Jason Cooper is a Wellington-based lawyer for Inland Revenue who is living in a sero-discordant relationship. James Hudson is involved in Auckland gay community organisations and is a Principal Adviser to the Independent Maori Statutory Board, providing advice on Auckland governance, strategy and policy. Jason Myers has worked in the HIV field for several years, including a stint as an NZAF staffer. He is currently on the leadership team of Oxfam. Tawhanga Nopera is a transgender person who has lived with HIV for eighteen years. Current work as a consultant to the Rotorua Lakes Council and was preceded by several years at Tenancy Services advising both landlords and tenants. Robinson says the candidates are of a high calibre and he believes the Foundation is lucky to consistently attract such capable Trust Board candidates.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News
First published: Thursday, 22nd October 2015 - 10:06am