More than twice the number of people are this year eligible to vote for new AIDS Foundation Trust Board members compared to last year, in a trend that the Board sees as extremely positive. The sharp increase in members, up from 158 to 330, comes after the board "prioritised enhancing membership this year," according to Chair Mark Henrickson. "A broad membership base provides an opportunity for elected Trustees to be elected by members who reflect the diversity of communities we serve, as well as increasing the potential pool of electable Trustees," he says." The NZAF Trust Deed states that the primary purpose of membership of the Trust is "to enhance and promote the work of the Trust." "New NZAF members have come from amongst gay men’s, African, Takatāpui, Pacific Peoples’, youth and positive communities," according to Henrickson. "Volunteers, individual donors, supporters and members of advisory and project groups have also joined. The NZAF staff responded with alacrity and the Board is very pleased at the large increase in the number of members this year." The current NZAF membership is made up of 45 employee members, 7 life members, 110 financial and HIV positive fee waiver members, 6 from the Board of Trustees, 5 Patrons or Vice Patrons and 161 volunteer members. Members of the Trust have the right to speak and vote at this Saturday's Annual General Meeting, however it is uncertain how many will attend in person. Postal voting for the eight nominated Board candidates, which is also double the number of nominations received last year, closes at 5pm this Thursday.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 25th November 2008 - 2:43am