(right to left): outgoing WIFT NZ President, Catherine Fitzgerald; incoming WIFT NZ President Debra Kelleher.
We are extremely pleased to be able to announce to you the makeup of the new WIFT NZ Board taking us forward for another year. But before we share this exciting news, we need to first congratulate you - the membership - for coming to the party and really engaging with the voting process. Thank you!
Just over 21% of you (Full Members) participated in the voting and it was an extremely exciting and very close election with - in a couple of cases - only one vote difference between candidates! The scrutineer triple-checked the results and we can assure you that it was a nail-biting few hours in the office last Wednesday.
We would like to thank all the fabulous candidates who put their name forward. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of people willing to give of their time voluntarily to the organisation. We hope to see you back again next year when we will have to go through the process all over again!
And, it goes without saying, that we are indebted to the previous Board for steering us through a difficult year. Three Board members resigned during the year due to work and/or family commitments. Thank you Stephanie Bennett, Rachel Gardner and Imogen Johnson. Particular thanks go to outgoing President, Catherine Fitzgerald, for her unwavering commitment to the organisation and to Teresa Brown, former Vice President and Acting President for a few months in 2010, for unconditional support during a challenging time.
Our Christchurch members in particular have been in our thoughts many, many times and we would like to acknowledge the incredible resilience of Janine Morrell-Gunn, who in spite of what was happening around her, still managed to participate in Board meetings. Kei te wahine toa koe!
So, without further ado - drum roll....
President
Debra Kelleher
Auckland Representatives
Amanda Beckett
Teresa Brown
Melanie Langlotz
Wellington Representatives
Glenis Giles
Robin Laing
South Island Representative
Janine Morrell-Gunn
General
Bernadette Kelly
Fiona Milburn
In case you are wondering why there are three representatives from Auckland and two in the General category, it is because those candidates were tied equal. This resulted in a decision being made to offer both a place on the Board. Another thing you may notice is that we now have two Life Members on our Board: Robin Laing and Fiona Milburn. It is an asset to our organisation to have Board members who have been involved with WIFT for so long.
For those of you who were unable to make the AGM last Wednesday evening, and would like a copy of the Audit, please e-mail the office. Our valued Treasurer, Amanda Beckett, had this to say about the Financial Statements for WIFT (NZ) Incorporated for the year ending 31 March 2011:-
"The results show a $10,746 loss was made on the 2011 activities as well as a strengthening of Member's Funds in the balance sheet.
The major contributor to the loss was the 2010 WIFT Awards event not achieving budgeted profit; however the event itself was a success and played an important role in recognising and celebrating women's achievements in the Film and Television industry.
Members' funds grew to $55,376 due to the introduction of funds from dissolving the WIFT Wellington branch. This introduction of funds was large enough to offset the loss incurred. However the Board is aware that this cash inflow is a one-off event and that the organisation must take steps to prevent future erosion of Members Funds.
When reviewing the Income and Expenses for the 2011 financial year and comparing them with the 2010 figures please bear in mind that the 2010 results are for 9 months only. Although WIFT NZ was incorporated in April 2009 financial activity didn't start until August. Therefore the two sets of results look slightly mismatched due to the timing issues. A better comparison will be able to be made in 2012 when we will have two full year results to evaluate.
Membership is our lifeblood and we are dependent on your participation and financial support. There is strength in numbers and so I encourage you to both continue your membership and introduce others to WIFT NZ.
I look forward to continuing to serve you as your Treasurer.
Thank you Amanda and we sincerely hope that many of you will introduce others to WIFT NZ, as well as - of course - renewing your membership so that we may continue to go from strength to strength.
And finally, let me welcome the new Board to WIFT NZ! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!
Susi