Six of the current 12 person board onthe YWCA are under 30 and all executive positions on the board (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) are held by young, up and coming leaders.

Each year, Springboard New Zealand recognises anorganisation that is an exemplar in regards to age diversity on their board.

Current President Vanisa Dhiru says,“Given our organisation has the word ‘young’ in it [YWCA stands for Young Women’s Christian Association], we have to be representative of youth, and equally of women. There is a 25% young women constitutional requirement for YWCAs in New Zealand, and we have aimed higher in the past 3-4 years to get toand remain at the 50% figure. We’re all excited we have been recognised by Springboard for the diversity we provide to our membership and the local community we serve”.

“It’s an interesting discussion around the board table with a mix of age and backgrounds to listen to – our youngest is 20 years old and the oldest is 55+. We’ve got lawyers, trainers, bankers, students, mothers, mentors, leaders in their field; combine that withage diversity, and you know you have a great meeting of minds”.

Board members are recruited on skills, experience and background. If under 30 they must have a desire to learn and lead, if over 30 years a real passion for mentoring and development ofyounger board members.

“Just like many other board director roles, there is a process to follow for appointments and planning bythe board on how to best involve and develop your skills, and harness your passion through the operational work if desired”.

“We are committed to ensuring ourteam receive ongoing governance development and support. All of our board members are given governance training opportunities and all new members, no matter of their age, go through a full induction process. We use a strengths based matrix to identify areas we need to fill”.

“Organisations like the YWCA must support the growth of women directors, and through positions like the board roles at the YWCA, women can support women to grow good governance and understand and practice working as a team, showing stewardship and managing risk, amongst other tasks. Volunteer board roles are extremely good for gettinga head start in understanding directorships, but also are not just the starting or end point of a career in governance if that is your goal. Many of us around the table hold other governance roles and really have a passion for ensuring young women have positive life choices – our ultimate mission”.

The YWCA is an intergenerational organisation which serves women in over 155 countries internationally. In Wellington, the YWCA supports and develops young leaders through governance roles. www.ywcawellington.org.nz

Last year, in a Ys Up to Dating Violence workshop, Leslie shared stories on signs of power and control in relationships and what to look for. Young people aged 15-24 are most at risk of physical, psychological and sexual victimisation, (New Zealand National Crime Survey, 2006).

Vanisa Dhiru, YWCA of Greater Wellington President says, “15-24 is the most vulnerable age group and the YWCA wants to assist young women by raising awareness on how serious violence towards women is. Advocating for young women through media submissions, supporting established campaigns and assisting young women who wish to advocate for themselves are just one of the many ways we are raising awareness on this issue.”

“We have a lot to learn from Sophie’s story. Sophie’s encounter with violence brings to surface the fact that many women out there are still victims of forms of violence that range from physical, psychological to sexual and emotional abuse.”

The 16 Days of Activism Against Violence campaign 25 November to 10 December every year, marks an important date in history. It coincides with the International Day Against Violence Against Women (November 25) and International Human Rights Day (December 10). These dates were intentionally chosen in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights so as to highlight that such violence is a direct violation of women’s basic human rights. (World YWCA website, www. worldywca.org.nz)

Key note speaker: Ruth Dearnley CEO, STOP THE TRAFFIK UK.
STOP THE TRAFFIK is a growing global movement fighting to

• prevent the sale of people
• protect the trafficked
•  prosecute the traffickers.

Who should attend?

• non government agencies
• Government departments
• law enforcement
• researchers
• lawyers
• human rights activists
• grass roots community groups wishing to know more of the issues and become involved.

When: Friday 2–Saturday 3 December 2011
Where: Crossroads Salvation Army (Hutt City Corps), Cnr Kings Crescent & Cornwall Street, Lower Hutt.
This is an excellent venue close to accommodation and the city centre, and a short drive from Wellington.
Cost: The cost for the two days (including morning and afternoon teas and lunches) is $150 per person.
To register: The forum will be limited to 150 participants.

Please register soon to reserve a place! Contact Chris Frazer today.
Phone: 04 8026269 ext. 24661
(+64 48026269 ext. 24661 for overseas calls)
Email: chris_frazer@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Attached is an Information Sheet giving more details of our organisation and the volunteer work available.

This is a great opportunity to gain governance and volunteer experience as well as to offer skills and experience to support women seeking low-cost accommodation in Wellington. We hope that you or a friend or colleague may be interested in volunteering.

Many thanks,
Philippa Hart-Smith
WWBH Management Committee

Link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/27424952/WWBH%20Volunteer%20Advertisement%202.pdf

Date: 25 October 2011
Time: 5. 30 – 7pm
Venue: Lecture theatre 3,  Rutherford House, Pipitea campus, Lambton Quay, Wellington

Speakers:

• Catherine Delahunty – Green MP
• Helen Kelly – NZCTU President
• Lyndy McIntyre – Communication and Campaigns  Advisor SFWU
• Nicole Skews – Young Feminists’ Wellington Collective
• Paul  McKay – Manager Employment Relations Policy Business New Zealand
• Susan Guthrie – Co author of “ The Big Kahuna”

Chaired By Christine Brookes – Wellington Improvisation Troupe

Hosted by the Pay Equity Challenge Coalition and the Women’s Studies Association, Wellington.

http://payequity.wordpress.com/

5. 30 – 7pm

The free programme runs over an eight week period with the group meeting each week for approximately two hours to participate in floor exercises, pool exercises, and an information and support session.  The pool exercises are held in a heated hydrotherapy pool.

First session: Monday 3 October 2011, 9.30 – 11.30am
Ends: Monday 28 November 2011
(over 9 weeks due to Labour Day 24 Oct)
Venue: Hutt Hospital High Street, LOWER HUTT

For details and enrolment contact: Claire Laurenson, Hutt Valley Encore Co-ordinator on 04 567 1474 or email:
claurenson@clear.net.nz

More about the Encore programme, click here

The remarkable autobiography of Farida Sultana – a teenage bride in a patriarchal community, who struggled against violence and oppression to become a vocal, independent, inspirational Muslim woman, and founder of Shakti, a refuge and support organisation for ethnic women in New Zealand.

with Farida Sultana
Heather Henare, Chief Executive Women’s Refuge

‘Purple Dandelion is an eye-opening essential read for New Zealand women.’ ~ NZ Woman’s Weekly

Thursday 22 September, 5.30pm–6.30pm
Light refreshments from 5.15pm
Whitireia NZ Media Training Centre, 107 Cuba St, Wellington, Level 1

For information, and to RSVP by 16 Sept: cubastreet2011@gmail.com

Today we celebrate those who fought in New Zealand for women to have the right to vote. Were your relatives amongst the 32,000 people of Aotearoa that signed the petiton 118 years ago today?

Check out the free YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand’s ‘Make it Count’ guide to ensure you know how to make your vote count!

Also read our YWCA of Greater Wellington President Vanisa Dhiru’s speech at Hon. Minister Hekia Parata’s Parliamentary breakfast held on September 19, sharing her call to action and her inspiring goals and story.

This free event hosted by the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand and Positive Women is linked to the United Nations Paper Doll campaign, aiming to promote greater investment by governments in female condoms, as well as the education and programming needed to support their use through this campaign. Vanisa Dhiru, YWCA of Greater Wellington President says, “The campaign illustrates the growing, world-wide demand for female condoms by creating massive chains of paper dolls, each one with a personal message that reflects one person’s thoughts on female condoms”.

The workshop will create a safe space for young women to discuss and learn about this contraception method. “Women that come along will learn how the female condom can protect against pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and STIs,” says Dhiru.

“Female condoms are not a new method, but are not well known as a method of contraception – we want young women to know about this option”.“Less than one percent of all condoms distributed globally are female condoms.  Over 99 percent are male condoms. This means that very few of the millions of people who would like to use female condoms for protection from pregnancy, HIV and other STI’s. Even where they are available, they are often priced out of the reach of most people, including here in New Zealand,” says Jane Bruning of Positive Women.“

At the YWCA, we believe it is essential to provide adequate resources to support the capacity of women and girls to lead change on HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights issues – and this includes access to the female condom as a life saving device. This workshop a great way to raise awareness of this, and share this information with women,” says Dhiru.

The workshop will take place during Victoria University’s Women’s Fest in Meeting Room 2, Victoria University Student Union Building, Kelburn Parade at 6pm.

Hear Katrina Shanks (National), Carol Beaumont (Labour), Catherine Delahunty (Green) and Robyn Stent (ACT) give their Party’s perspectives on significant current issues and their policies for women. Debate facilitator:  Linda Clark (former political journalist and Chapman Tripp consultant)

Date: Thursday 29 September 2011
Time: 12.30 – 1.45pm
Venue: KPMG, Level 9, 10 Customhouse Quay (Chapman Tripp Building)
Cost: $5 door charge
RSVP:  Please notify your attendance by Tuesday 27 September, 5pm by email to joanne.lentfer@nzppa.org.nz or telephone 04 802 4049.

Bring your lunch with you.  Tea and coffee will be available on arrival.

This is an open invitation. Please pass it on to your friends and colleagues.

Book early, this event fills very quickly