Profiles
- Focus on Employment
- Honouring the best
- All gifts great and small
- Farewell and thank you Geoff Warne, 'CFO supreme'
- Rotary recognition
- Breaking Boundaries
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Focus on Employment
Cycling the length of New Zealand to raise funds for disabled athletes and running the New York marathon four times are just a few of the amazing things that Whangarei man Craig Jessop has achieved. What makes it even more amazing is that he is totally blind, had diabetes and has had a pancreas and kidney transplant. However he hasn't let this stop him. He is an active volunteer for the Foundation,vice president of the Whangarei Community Committee and can often be found educating schools and clubs about blindness with guide dog Kira. He has also had his own part-time importing business the past three years and is now expanding into other areas. Craig is a motivated person but one thing he has struggled with is finding employment.
Craig was a qualified motor mechanic but had to stop when he lost his eye sight in a car accident 17 years ago. He then began to go into kidney failure and it has only been since his transplant 8 years ago that he has been well enough to get back into full-time employment. "I'm ready to go and have a lot to offer the workforce. Now I just need someone to see past my disability and give me a chance to show them what I can do," says Craig who has taught himself how to use adaptive technology and software which has enabled him to confidently use a computer. Craig is always applying for jobs but says the main problem he faces is employers who lack understanding of what people with disabilities are capable of.
Research has shown that people with disabilities stay longer in a role, are more productive, have fewer accidents and contribute to making a workplace more safety conscious. "It's all about changing people's attitudes. The more we educate people, the more opportunities people like me will have," says Craig.
Contact Thomas Bryan about Employment Services on 0800 24 33 33 or visit www.rnzfb.org.nz
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Honouring the best
Congratulations are in order for the following Foundation-related people who have been acknowledged with Queen's Honour's this year.
- Gordon Sanderson of Dunedin, ophthalmologist and previous Foundation Chairman of the Board (1994-2002), awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to people with visual impairments.
- Linda Beck of Christchurch, active Foundation and community member, and current Foundation Board Director, awarded MNZM for services to people with disabilities.
- Eddie Low of Whangarei, successful musician and Foundation member who was educated at the Foundation's Parnell School, awarded MNZM for services to music.
- Elizabeth McRae of Auckland, long serving talking book narrator and well-known New Zealand actress, awarded Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to theatre.
- Noeline Tainui of Hokitika, long serving and committed member of the Westland Community Committee, awarded the Queen's Service Medal for Community Service (QSM).
- June Ombler of Wellington and Dunedin, Foundation member and active campaigner for the vision impaired, awarded the Companion of Queen's Service Order for Community Service (QSO).
All gifts great and small
It is not easy to think about life after death, but thankfully many New Zealanders do, because without bequests the Foundation would lose 50% of its annual donated income, that's around $7.5million and about 1/3 of the total cost of providing member services each year.
One bequest we would like to specially recognise came from Beverley Ethne Pearson. Mrs Pearson gifted an incredible $22,500 per year over twelve years to Guide Dog Services. Mrs Pearson was a dedicated community citizen who devoted her time and energy to a variety of organisations including Anglican Support Services, IHC and the North Shore Hospital Auxiliary.
A former Director of Women's Services for the Army, Navy and Air Force, Mrs Pearson received
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an MBE for her services to women within the armed forces.
According to Mrs. Pearson's niece, "Bev held a great desire to help those in need. Also, she loved dogs and this contributed to her decision to bequeath money to Guide Dog Services."
Fraser Alexander, RNZFB National Bequest Adviser, says that gifts of this size are very unusual. "Some people believe a bequest should be a substantial gift. Our experience tells us every bequest, big or small, is vital to provide services to members."
Besides bequests, people can also assist via funeral donations. This is how former Feilding Community Committee Chairperson, Mr Arthur Robert Tait, gifted $371 to the RNZFB which has been put to good use by Library Services.
For more information about leaving a lasting gift, please call 0800 DONATE (0800 366 283).
Farewell and thank you Geoff Warne, 'CFO supreme'
Geoff Warne leaves the Foundation in September to become General Director (CEO) of Leprosy Mission International based in London. Geoff has held a number of roles with the Foundation including Accounting Services Manager, Corporate Services Manager and Chief Financial Officer and has helped shape the Foundation's strong reputation for financial management in the not-for-profit sector. Geoff credits many for this reputation and is confident the Foundation will be in safe hands as it moves into a new era of challenges. "Uncertainty around revenue streams, the risk of change, a new service delivery model and the move from an analogue library service to a digital service, are all areas that will push the Foundation in challenging, but exciting directions." Geoff also wishes to thank the many people who have made his journey with the Foundation truly satisfying.
"When I arrived at the Foundation in 1991 I found an engaging organisation staffed by the most welcoming people. It struck me as a place where a person would be encouraged to grow and develop professionally - I'm delighted to say this remains the case 16 years later."
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Rotary recognition
The Rotary Club of Paraparaumu recently made Foundation member Sue Leslie an honorary member of the club. This is the highest recognition that a non-member can receive. This honour was in appreciation of Sue's work in the community, particularly with other vision-impaired people and for her significant contribution to Rotary from outside of the club.
Sue has never let her vision-impairment get in the way of participating fully in all aspects of life and this extends to helping others in her community. She has also supported her husband Jack who was at the same time presented with the Four Avenues of Service Citation for Individual Rotarians. This is a rare honour that requires the approval of the President of Rotary International. Together Sue and Jack make a great team who are very deserving of these prestigious honours. Congratulations to them both.
Breaking Boundaries
Just like kiwi kids grow up eating Weetbix, many grow up and take on the Outward Bound challenge. In May this year 10 Foundation members aged 18-73 took up that challenge. They spent eight days in the Marlborough Sounds pushing themselves to the limits and building confidence through activities such as kayaking, high ropes and tramping.
"It was amazing to watch everyone grow and learn. They realised that if they can do this here, they can do anything in everyday life," says member Robert Codre (60) who was awarded a scholarship to go on the trip due to his work in the Tauranga Community.
"We were treated as people, not someone who was blind and we achieved," says Robert. "During those eight days we learnt so much about ourselves and what we are capable of when we believe in ourselves, and that is something that will stay with us forever."