Sat 20 Jun 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Just minutes after Rainbow Youth's new Executive Board and officeholders were voted in, plans were in place to meet urgently on Monday to discuss the LGBT youth support organisation's agenda for the next 12 months - its 20th anniversary year. Fresh faces: Rainbow Youth's 20th anniversary Executive Board Outgoing Chairperson Daniel Chorley welcomed the crowd of around 50 young people to Rainbow Youth's centre on K' Road for its Annual General Meeting this afternoon, pointing out that the 2008-9 year has been one of enormous achievement. "We have seen significant growth in the number of youth accessing our services and facilities, including our popular social-support groups," he said. "We have experienced a huge influx of enquiries following in the wake of Dancing with the Stars and the publicity, recognition, and goodwill it has afforded Rainbow Youth is truly amazing." Gay TV weather presenter Tamati Coffey had danced his way to a win on the show with phone vote funds going to Rainbow Youth. The amount of money raised is expected to be announced in a few weeks' time. Along with a revamped education programme for secondary school students, Rainbow Youth has now gone live with its new website, produced as a result of a 24-hour FullCodePress web design contest last month. "This year will be the 20th anniversary of Rainbow Youth and we will be celebrating all of our accomplishments, those of our community and our continued cause of equity and equality for all people regardless of sexuality, gender, or identity," Chorley added. "We've got a bright future ahead at Rainbow Youth and all of us are here today to help ensure this." The new 2009-10 Executive Board was selected by secret ballot at the meeting. Rainbow Youth's new Chairperson is Toni Reid, who has served four years as a Board member. She's backed up by Clint Woolly as Vice Chairperson, John Kingi as Treasurer, Kestin Stewart as Secretary and fellow Board members Ariel, Daniel, Jess and Brendon. A youth-orientated network run by people aged under 27, Rainbow Youth also has three older volunteer 'adult advisors' and an Executive Director on staff who manages the day-to-day running of the organisation and its drop-in Centre on K' Road.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Saturday, 20th June 2009 - 5:38pm