Farewell and thank you from the New Zealand Chapter Kiwis

to Educate Plus CEO Neil McWhannell

It is a privilege to write on behalf of the NZ Chapter to congratulate and thank Neil for his leadership of advancement professionals in Australia and New Zealand and for his outstanding contribution to the organisation during the last decade.

Neil’s, vision, expertise, knowledge and energy has turned the relatively small organisation, known to so many of us as ADAPE, into the re-branded Educate Plus success story we know today. Early membership was around 600 and in recent years the organisation has recorded remarkable growth with more than 2000 members today in Australia and New Zealand.

Neil’s professionalism, leadership, business acumen, commitment, warmth and kindness has seen members benefit from professional development opportunities throughout the year, the certified advancement practitioner training programmes and attending the annual and biennial international conferences which attract large numbers of delegates. Neil has also developed strong marketing for Educate Plus through the communications website and the Face 2 Face magazine. His work with the corporate partners and conference exhibitors has greatly enhanced the success of these conferences.

The NZ Chapter has always received excellent support and encouragement from Neil and he has attended all our chapter conferences. Some years ago, Neil greatly assisted our President and Committee with amalgamation so that we would benefit from becoming part of Educate Plus Australasia. The last international conference in 2018 was held in Auckland. A group of us were fortunate to work on a committee led by Neil to find excellent conference speakers, give all members attending the opportunity to meet, hear, share knowledge and discuss best practice in the pillars of fund raising, marketing and communications, alumni and admissions.

The last two years have been unpredictable world-wide because of COVID-19. The postponement on several occasions, of the 2020 international conference must have been as difficult and challenging for the international executive as it was disappointing for the Australasian membership. We are very grateful for all the work involved, so that the conference is now re-scheduled to take place in Adelaide at the end of May 2022.

Neil, we send our warmest wishes to you and Heather for the future. Thank you for enriching so many lives and making Educate Plus such a vibrant organisation. We hope when travel resumes that you will visit New Zealand again so that your Kiwi members have the opportunity to thank you and show sincere appreciation. Perhaps you will be able to join us for our NZ chapter conference which also will be held next year in 2022.

With very best wishes from the Committee and all the New Zealand Chapter Membership.