Rainbow Youth's Executive Board has chosen Thomas Hamilton as the organisation's new Executive Director. "I'm grateful for this opportunity": Tom Hamilton (pics: Rebecca Swan) Hamilton brings with him several years of experience working within the LGBT community, including working in queer-specific organisations in Australia and the USA, and positions on the boards of GenderBridge and OUTLine NZ. He has extensive knowledge about community law, support work/counselling, and office and volunteer management. He has most recently worked at the Waitakere Community Law Service for two years. "I've always hoped to work for Rainbow Youth," he explains. "I'm grateful for this opportunity to develop one of New Zealand's most unique queer organisations, and really look forward to working with a youth board." Hamilton started on Monday and will be based at the Rainbow Youth drop-in centre at 281 K' Road. "Over the last few years Rainbow Youth has seen record numbers through its doors and at events, while visiting over 80 high schools in the Auckland region," says Rainbow Youth's Board Chairperson Daniel Chorley. "Now is a very exciting time to be a part of New Zealand's largest queer youth organisation." Rainbow Youth, which started as a seedling group twenty years ago, is now blossoming into a mature, professional organisation with its sights set on achieving an acceptance of the diversity of sexuality and gender throughout the whole of Aoteroa New Zealand, he explains. "Thomas will be responsible for overseeing the growth and expansion of Rainbow Youth, as well as staffing, project management, funding, and will provide a face for Rainbow Youth in the community". Chorley says that while financial woes have impacted many in the not-for-profit sector recently, Rainbow Youth is financially stable. However, funding will be one key area of focus in coming months to ensure they can continue to provide all their services around Auckland. "Thomas will be instrumental in this," he adds.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 13th February 2009 - 10:21am