From our Chapter President

As we hit Send on the final Chapter e-news for 2021, there are several people within the Educate Plus NZ whānau who we would like to acknowledge.

In a year when the popular Educate Plus International Conference was postponed for a second time, and our Chapter was not able to “pivot” to a Chapter Conference alternative, with the support of members throughout the country who have kindly hosted several events, we have delivered over 26 networking opportunities in eight regional locations, and published six Chapter e-news. We have events coming up over the next few days and weeks in Wellington, Palmerston North, Auckland and Christchurch so if you have not already done so, you can register by clicking here.

The indomitable input of Educate Plus NZ matriarch and maestro, Carolyn Prebble; provided the energy required to get so many of these events to air. Our sincere thanks to Carolyn for her tireless efforts and dedication. 

Thanks to Communications maestro Jennifer Roshan, Chapter Manager Kate Eatts and Educate Plus Marketing Manager Sheila Molloy for their efficient teamwork that enabled us to remain in email contact with you all. For various reasons our trusty comms crew are all moving on to new horizons in 2022 – they leave big shoes to fill! 

Throughout 2021 our Chapter was privileged to have enjoyed the kind and efficient services of Chapter Manager, Kate Eatts. In only a handful of hours each week, Kate’s proactive initiative and efficient, diligent, “get it done” tenacity was a massive support to our Committee, partners and members. Kate has understandably decided to move on to other opportunities. Her departure at the end of this month will be our loss. We wish her well in all her future endeavours.

Tomorrow’s 2021 AGM sees a changing of the guard in the Committee ranks and the departure of three Committee stalwarts, all of whom are Educate Plus Fellows and former Chapter Presidents who have collectively served over 30 years (!) of invaluable voluntary service to our organisation and its members.

There aren’t any words to adequately represent the input and express the gratitude deserved by Naomi Wilde, Shelagh Murray and Chris Klaassen. All three have kindly agreed to be available as NZ Chapter advisors and will undoubtedly continue to have impact in their various leadership capacities throughout the advancement sector in Australasia.

Over the ditch in Sydney, at Educate Plus HQ (as we affectionately call Head Office!), after ten years at the helm, Neil McWhannell steps aside into retirement and as Neil and wife Heather look forward to spending time with their family and a series of international travel adventures, the Educate Plus Board and members welcome Mandy McFarland into the CEO role. See our tribute to Neil in this e-news.

Mandy is a highly-respected leader throughout both the schools and tertiary advancement sectors in Australia. As a former WA Chapter Committee President, Board member and Board Chair, Mandy knows our organisation extremely well. Many New Zealand members will recognise Mandy from the 2018 International Conference in Auckland and as a key figure (who travelled a total of 32 hours!!) to speak at and support the 2019 New Zealand Chapter Conference in Dunedin. We are excited at the prospect of working alongside Mandy during the years ahead.

As 2022 looms we look forward to the staging of the (2020) Educate Plus International Conference in Adelaide in May, and a New Zealand Chapter Conference in Auckland in July.

Lastly and most importantly, sincere thanks to all members of the NZ Committee who, despite an array of changes and uncertainties in their day-to-day roles and lives, have found the time to contribute their time to the Educate Plus cause to serve members throughout the country. Co-Vice-Presidents Graeme Mullin and Sharon Roux; Secretary Penny Curran; Treasurer Kirstyn Sandall; Membership Co-ordinator Carolyn Prebble; Naomi Wilde; Jennifer Roshan; Nicole Bassett; Craig Whitehead; Chris Klaassen; Shelagh Murray and Chapter Manager Kate Eatts. They all deserve a (border-free!) well-earned summer break! 

Our collective special wishes to Jennifer Roshan who will be away on maternity leave in 2022 as she and husband Emil embark upon their parenthood adventure!

Enjoy the various networking and professional development events happening throughout the country over the next few days.

Ngā mihi nui

Vicki Fowler
Chapter President, Educate Plus NZ