The NZ AIDS Foundation is losing the services of another senior staff member, with the resignation of national Fundraising and Marketing Manager Les Hill after barely a year in the job. Les Hill Hill, described by the Foundation today as "a valuable member" of the staff, was employed as the NZAF's National Fundraising and Marketing coordinator late last year after the resignation of the previous incumbent, Larry Jenkins, who had quit the staff and subsequently joined the Foundation's board with a publicly declared agenda of addressing management issues within the Foundation. Hill soon found himself also acting for an extended period as communications coordinator after the April resignation of Chris Banks, whose replacement, Dawn O'Connor, was appointed just over a month ago. Earlier this year Hill also stepped up to cover as HIV Prevention and Communication Manager after the hasty retreat of his immediate boss who left after only three months in that position. Hill also shouldered a heavy load while the Foundation's Executive Director was overseas for an extended period earlier this year. The NZAF has also re-advertised the position of Wellington Regional Manager after Camille Smith had been in the job less than a year. Hill could not be contacted this evening, however the NZAF says he is leaving "effective Friday October 17... to concentrate on expanding his existing business in PR and Event Management." In a statement to GayNZ.com this afternoon the Foundation quotes Hill as saying "I've had a wonderful time at the NZAF, I’m genuinely sad to be leaving and this was not an easy decision to make. In my time here I've worked with a team of great people and I've had the opportunity to make a difference in HIV Prevention". Rachael Le Mesurier, the Foundation's Executive Director, says that Hill "has bought a wealth of experience and talent to our work of preventing the transmission of HIV and supporting people affected by HIV and AIDS to maximise their health and well-being. We are excited for the opportunity he has to move forward with this own business interests". The vacancy created by Hill's departure will not be filled immediately. "The NZAF is committed to reviewing all vacancies as they arise to check that they still meet the current needs and are aligned with the goals articulated in the NZAF Strategic Plan 2005-2010. As Simon Harger-Forde, National Manager for HIV Prevention and Communications at the NZAF is currently overseas at the World Social Marketing Conference in [the] UK this process will be delayed a little," says a spokesperson for the Foundation. In recent years the NZAF has been criticised for shedding too many staff members. It has countered by attributing the turnover to the structural reorganisation of its Gay Mens' Health team and to natural attrition due to people moving on up their chosen career path. [Editor's note: GayNZ.com understands that Larry Jenkins will be withdrawing from the NZAF's board at this year's Annual General Meeting, likely to be held in late November.]
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 26th September 2008 - 8:51pm