Auckland-based event manager Jonathan Smith has this evening withdrawn his candidacy for membership of the NZ AIDS Foundation trust board, citing likely conflict of interest issues. Withdrawing: Jonathan Smith Smith, who is a past board member and chair, is organiser of two significant events connected with the NZAF, the Big Gay Out glbt picnic day during the Hero Festival, and the annual Queen of the Whole Universe drag pageant. Smith says he allowed his name to go forward before fully thinking through the complications which might occur avoiding conflicts of interest between board membership and his work. "Also, I regularly do contract consulting work for the Foundation. And there are Charities Act changes coming up which I would also have to be careful about," he says. "I hadn't initially considered this situation but on reflection decided to ask the Board if there would be a conflict with my relationship as a Board member and as a contractor." Smith says he was offered two options, either to withdraw his nomination or opt out of his contracts. Due to his need to generate an income he chose to withdraw his nomination. He says he had received "considerable community support" since announcing his nomination only days ago, and expects that "there will be some very happy and not so happy faces at the NZAF" when his withdrawal becomes generally known. So far the only other board vacancy nomination to have been made public is that of West Coast 'tranny granny' and Human Rights Tribunal member Jacquie Grant. The Foundation AGM is likely to be held in late November when at least two trust board vacancies need to be filled.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 21st October 2008 - 8:00pm