President’s message
From your Educate Plus NZ whanau … “Go Well!”
Kia ora koutou
On behalf of the newly-appointed 2021 Educate Plus NZ Chapter Committee, it is my privilege to wish you all a very restful, restorative, well-deserved break once the wind-down of the next couple of weeks is officially behind you!
Before you depart please spare a thought for our outgoing, seafaring, Chapter President Naomi Wilde and the immensely tenacious, transformative and inspiring legacies that she leaves in her wake after significant contributions, firstly as Chapter Secretary and, more recently, as Chapter President.
Naomi’s commitment to her fellow members saw her lead three exciting initiatives over the past two years, and most importantly, like any yachtswoman worth her salt, set us on a clear and steady course forwards.
Firstly, Naomi was responsible for initiating the progressive step that resulted in the NZ Chapter now being represented by two Directors on the International Board.
Secondly, Naomi sought (and not surprisingly, gained!) approval of a professional development initiative that will provide leaders of education institutions with access to relevant, valuable insights regarding the importance of their roles to their institution’s advancement operations.
And in a final step that promises transformative impact for our organisation, Naomi determinedly drove the process that has led to the appointment of part-time NZ Chapter Manager, Kate Eatts. THANK YOU Naomi and WELCOME aboard Kate!
See Naomi’s Farewell Tribute video here – thank you Sheila for creating this special acknowledgement!
Welcome also to new Committee member, Dr Nicole Bassett, Development Manager at Liggins Institute and Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, and welcome back (for their second tours of Committee duty!) to past-President Chris Klaassen, Head of Advancement at AUT, and former Treasurer Craig Whitehead, Director of Advancement Business Intelligence at AUT.
We are looking forward to connecting with you, your institution leaders and colleagues during 2021 and providing the quintessential Educate Plus trademark opportunities to Connect, Share, Support, Learn and Grow with your Educate Plus colleagues! Keep an eye on your Inboxes early in the New Year for dates of networking events and more of those practical, relevant webinars!
At the conclusion of this particularly odd year where we all learned so much about the art of “pivoting” and the philosophy of “Amor Fati” (the decision to spot silver linings amidst any and all “clouds”) – we wish you all much rest, love, laughter and a BIG exhale!
Be safe, and as our outgoing International Board Chair Mandy McFarland would say, “Go well”.
Vicki Fowler
NZ Chapter President
