From the Secretary General's Desk
November 2008 Update
My first six months in office have been very interesting ones. Whilst I have no real problem getting my head around modern technology, the dispersing of emails in the right direction and giving correct information to the numerous phone calls has not been without its challenges nor has there been a dull moment.
To summarise the Secretary General's position, it has been a large learning curve despite having done 3 years as the Asst Secretary General. Its one thing sitting in the passenger's seat but certainly another being the driver and I have appreciated the huge amount of support that I have had from the Executive team.
Again we have had a busy time with overseas visitors and our Travel Secretary has been busy and continues to do a wonderful job accommodating the needs and requests of our guests.
Magazine - this has not been without its challenges, but by all accounts we are now on the right track with Ken Brewer the new Editor, plus the new publishers have now got their heads around our requests and needs.
As yet no applications have been received for the 2009 International Youth Gathering in Israel from New Zealand young people. However, new membership applications are being steadily received, including a number of new residents in New Zealand who were former IPA and/or Police Personnel in overseas countries.
I thank those who regularly send in their updates, changes of addresses, bereavements etc at the end of each month as requested and remind those regions who have not, to please help the Assistant Secretary General maintain an up to date record of all our members by doing this.
If anyone has any information on new addresses for our “lost members,” I would also appreciate a communication from you.
Christmas is now just around the corner and I would like take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and safe festive season, and a wonderful family time. If you are holidaying make sure you get plenty of R & R or, if you are working like me then try to squeeze in some leisure time. May the year 2009 explode into being a good and prosperous year for you all.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your families.
Best wishes.
Coleen Meyers
Secretary General
IPA New Zealand Section
AGM election results
At the AGM held in Rotorua on 4th April 2008 the new committee was put in place with the following positions:
National President
Stan Keith - president@ipa.org.nz
National Vice President
Paul Visser - vice-president@ipa.org.nz
Immediate Past President
Bruce Hutton - past-president@ipa.org.nz
Secretary General
Coleen Meyers - secretary-general@ipa.org.nz
Assistant Secretary General
Michael Lucas - assistant-secretary-general@ipa.org.nz
National Treasurer
John Coomber - treasurer@ipa.org.nz
National Travel Secretary
Marelene Merriman - travel-secretary@ipa.org.nz
Webmaster
Peter Theobald - webmaster@ipa.org.nz
The new National Executive Committee
Stan Keith, Paul Visser, Coleen Meyers and John Coomber.