6 October 2023

Candidates Snapshots and Profiles

2023 RNZFB Board Elections

Candidates provided a snapshot of their board capabilities (maximum 60 words) and an outline of their background and the reasons why they wish to become a director of the RNZFB (maximum 300 words).

The content provided by each candidate has not been edited. Where contact details have been provided by the candidate, these have been included.

There are 8 candidates in total.

Clicking on a candidates name will take you to their profile or continue to scroll down the page to read all profiles, these will appear after the voting form.

Clicking vote now on any of the profiles will bring you back up to the voting form where you will be able to select the candidates you with to elect clicking next will show a summary of your selected candidates and clicking submit will cast your vote.

1. Martine Abel-Williamson
2. Chrissie Whitfield
3. Vaughan Dodd
4. Steven Bradley
5. Fraser Alexander
6. Donna McCaskill
7. Paul Glover
8. Chris Orr

RNZFB Board Elections Voting Form

This voting form allows you to vote for the election of three Directors to the General Seats on the RNZFB Board.

The names of 8 candidates are listed below in random order (the names have been randomly selected out of a hat).

You may cast your vote by selecting the tick boxes in the form below next to the names of candidates you wish to vote for. You may vote for up to three candidates.  After you have selected the candidates you wish to vote for, a message will appear confirming who you have selected before you select ‘submit’.

Voting in this year’s elections closes at 4:00pm on Friday 3 November 2023.  Please ensure you have cast your votes by this deadline.

If you have any questions about the elections process, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

Profile

Email: martine.the1@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 021411042

As current RNZFB board director, I’ve learnt a great deal, serving you and that’s why I’m asking for your support for me to stand for another term. I’ve been blind since birth.

My tertiary qualifications are in the areas of vision rehabilitation, education and social policy. My work history includes employment at Blind Low Vision NZ in the fields of blindness awareness training and service co-ordination so I have practical knowledge of how Blind Low Vision operates.

I’ve been working at local government level as Disability Advisor for 11 years, so, I’ve also got extensive experience in policy drafting and community development.

At international level, I am the president of the World Blind Union, the internationally recognised systemic advocacy entity that works in blindness service provision and political lobbying areas, and I also serve on the governance boards of the International Disability Alliance and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

In those roles I can bring to the table my knowledge of how other blindness service providers are governed so that our initiatives and role can remain relevant to clients and members. This also means that I’ve got access to many best practice examples and networks that we can tap into to make sure Blind Low Vision can uphold high standards.

My role on the board of Blind Citizens NZ ensures that I remain up to date with current systemic advocacy initiatives.

The combination of my lived experience of blindness and my extensive governance background will enable me to continue contributing proactively as a board director.

I’m passionate about working towards a society where we can live the lives we want and reach our potential, and, if you’ll support my nomination, I’ll be honoured to continue serving you.

Profile

Email: chrissie@whitfieldfactor.com
Mobile: 021769826

As a strategically focused entrepreneur, experienced board / committee member and leader, alongside my experience as the local branch chair for ITP, I have honed my governance skills and proven my ability to lead and make a difference.  With more than 30 years in senior leadership – including P&L management, strategic risk management, business transformation and strategic advisory roles, I bring a wealth of experience to the table.

My strengths lie in my diverse professional background, encompassing various sectors and roles, from information and technology senior leadership and governance roles to business management, programme director and business transformation / change management roles.  As a creative and strategic thinker, I possess the ability to challenge norms and offer innovative solutions. I have been a member of the Institute of Directors since 2013 and am committed to ongoing professional development and staying current with governance practices.

Furthermore, as a member of the deaf / low vision community myself, I bring a unique perspective and firsthand experience that can contribute to the Foundations mission.  My work and volunteering over the years with not-for-profit group, such as Wellington Women’s Boarding House Trust, Blindsided NZ, Bikers Unite Against Cancer, CPNZ, and Crohn’s Colitis Cure has given me insight into the specific needs and challenges of the charitable sector.  I am driven by a strong desire to empower individuals and organisations and am dedicated to supporting them in achieving their goals in an ever-changing world.

I believe that my shared values with BLVNZ and my professional background coupled with my experience in charities, volunteer work and life experience further equip me for this role, and I feel I am uniquely positioned to contribute to the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind at the Director level.

Profile

Email: vdodd001@gmail.com
Phone: 021784856

My qualifications, many years of employment and experience in the disability sector, along with the skills and capabilities required, have me well positioned to be an effective RNZFB director.

The Foundation has been part of my life since birth. I was educated at the Homai college school, then at Massey University. I have qualifications in social sciences and rehabilitation studies.

Employment history includes work with the Foundation, Ministry of Social Development and Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. Current work responsibilities include Whaikaha Auckland’s Health and Safety Representative and guiding the establishment of a new disabled employees network. I provide advice to government agencies and the general public.

Leadership roles, as elected by my peers include National President Blind Citizens NZ and past Chair of Auckland branch. I currently serve as a branch committee member.  I also produce the weekly National Feedback Line bulletins.

I offer

• Current knowledge of the workings of Government.
• Respect for the Foundation’s history.
• Contributing to an organisational direction which emphasises responsible governance linked to quality service delivery.
• Thoughtful contributions to the decisions that have to be made.
• Experience as a Deafblind person – advocating a positive outlook for us.
• The promotion of the right to an accessible and inclusive society where all of us participate and can realise our aspirations.
• Championing Literacy through Braille.

The Foundation is embarking on a significant phase in its development. Strategic and business planning cycles are underway. A review of the Constitution is pending.

There are challenges in areas of property, relationships with the membership, Government and donors.

I am ready and able to be part of building a strong organisation. Directorship is a commitment, and I am motivated to take on the challenge.

Profile

Email: hadleydog05@gmail.com
Phone: 0274838117

I have worked as a National employee representative in IRD for 24 years of my 38 years with the organisation. That employee representative role has covered all facets of representation and support ranging from simple employee issues to being involved in change management processes and bargaining processes to name a few. In that capacity I have developed a very good communication skill set around representation and support of people. This has required the building of strong, trusting and genuine relationships across the width OF IR which is a large and integral part of the Public Service.

In the latter years there has been a strong emphasis on the support of people with disabilities, particularly visual disabilities ensuring a greater level of accessibility to technology etc and this has been across the Public Service as well as with IR itself.

In that time I have achieved a very high degree of respect and trust for the way I addressed the matters I dealt with and was often known as the “voice of reason” in discussions.

I have always been able to apply a balanced view to topics but my emphasis has always been on what is the best outcome for all. I have a reputation for being able to put my case firmly and in a pragmatic way with the intention always being to achieve the best outcome for the group I represent. I believe that I have the ability to think outside the square.

In closing I do not believe the Foundation has necessarily worked in the best capacity to represent its members or its staff and I believe I can bring some and skills and thoughts to the board that will reflect positive improvements in the organisation going forward for the individuals concerned and the organisation itself.

Profile

Email: fraserale@xtra.co.nz
Phone:021840937

Founded in significant gratitude since first receiving services in 1995, and strengthened through experiences as a fundraiser, financial supporter, volunteer, bequest or and current director, my involvement with BLVNZ is indebtedness motivated – gratitude that underpins my commitment to working towards positively impacting on the independence and quality of life for blind, deafblind and low vision people and their families.

While there are significant challenges ahead in areas such as rebuilding BLVNZ’s human resources, the effectiveness of accessibility legislation, adapting to trends in charitable giving and in communicating effectively to our stakeholders, I believe BLVNZ should reflect on and build on our successes in recent years. I’m committed to finding evidence-based enhancements to programmes in areas such as accessibility to information via smart speaker voice navigation, our webshop  partnership enhancing equipment choice, ambassador, disability awareness and individual advocacy programmes, leading eye Health Aotearoa’s mission of ensuring all New Zealanders can access equitable, quality eye health services and prevent avoidable vision loss, peer support and peer training through volunteers with lived experience, optimising the utility of new facilities  in recreation, indoor mobility and guide dog training, broadening our eligibility criteria and clinician awareness and the integration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi into our values.

Should you kindly choose to afford me the privilege of a further term as a director I commit to continue to learn from, and respond to, your successes and challenges, your aspirations and anxieties and the significant factors impacting positively and negatively on your independence and quality of life.

Your consideration of my qualifications and experiences is appreciated:

• • Bachelor’s degree in biosciences and Postgraduate honours degree in business.
  • 26 years experience in not-for-profit marketing including 9 years with Blind Low Vision NZ.
  • Retina International Management Committee member 2006-2018.

Profile

Email: donnamccaskill@icloud.com
Phone: 0211699274

Having been on the RNZFB Board since 2020, I’d like to take some time to share a bit about myself for those who may not have met me yet.

I’m a BLVNZ member since birth with congenital cataracts. I, along with my adult sons were mainstreamed with support through BLENNZ. Previously from Auckland, I relocated to the South Island city of Ashburton where I work in agriculture as a field advisor/recruitment resourcer. 

I’m an avid sports fan which has me sitting on a range of blindness related sports Board’s including my current role as Board Chair, Blind Sport New Zealand. Other Boards that I am involved with include The D*List – a disability advocacy group who were a part of consultation for Whaikaha and the Maori Advisory Group for the Sport and Recreation Integrity Commission.

My passion is youth and what I feel is the missed bracket of 18-40 year olds in our community of blind and vision loss individuals. During my time on the Board thus far I have learnt and seen change in the service areas that would be of interest to this age bracket. I have an interest in the social/human sciences spaces and community engagement and have studied a range of topics under social science.

I was a founding member of the blind youth support network (SEYFF) and I continue to support the valuable work this group and other youth orientated special interest groups continue to do. I am a strong believer in the importance of our rangatahi being supported through their transitional phase of life and the significance of that time on our future leaders. 2 of those future leaders are my sons after all and I want to be sure they have the support to be able to be out there living their best lives.

Profile

Email: glvrs1@hotmail.com
Phone: 0274060473

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Ko Tangi-te-keo tōku maunga

Ko te pūahatanga o Tē Whanganui-a-Tara tōku moana

Ko Tē Whanganui-a-Tara tōku kāinga tūturu

Kō Ngāti Pākehā te iwi

Ko Paul Glover tōku ingoa

As a recently retired consultant Anaesthetist, I am pleased to present my credentials for Director of RNZFB Board.  My profile traces my connections to this land which, in turn have helped shape my career, my Professional attributes and personal values.  My Anaesthesia career spans public and private practice. My anaesthesia care involved a range of situations including the complex group dynamic of the operating theatre.  I also developed and enhanced pain management care.   I have provided care to the full range of people in sometimes the extremes of their lives. I have held a range of administrative and governance roles within the health sector needing analytical skills and sensitive judgement.  Now I have time to provide assistance in a governance role for this important national body. 

My diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa was made over 20 years ago but the manafestations started much earlier. More recent genetic testing has added the label of Ushers Type 2 which brings me into the deaf blind sector of our community.  This does not limit me seeing nor hearing the unmet needs of those seeking to maximise their lives.  This is especially important for those with less resources and abilities or sometimes even understanding of their great potential. 

I have been a member of what was the RP Society (now RetinaNZ) since diagnosis and I now hold an administrative role.  I’ve been a member of Blind Low Vision since I belatedly became aware I was eligible. 

My medical training and practice have developed my abilities of listening, assessment, advocacy and service delivery.  Often set against a background of limited resources. 

Profile

Email: ceejayorr76@gmail.com

Phone: 021762011

I have been a member of the RNZFB since I lost my sight in1974. I am married with three Adult children.  I undertook a rehabilitation course during 1975 and commenced working at the RNZFB in 1976.  Over the next 4 decades and more as an employee of the RNZFB I had many different roles ranging from a switchboard operator to fundraising Manager and in later years working in the field of  Access and Blindness Awareness highlighting the needs of people who are blind or have low vision in the community.

I am a Guide Dog user partnered with my 5th guide dog Noble.

As a sports person I represented NZ in the 1982 and 1983 World Blind Marathon Championships. In 1983 I gained a bronze medal. In 1984 I represented NZ in the Winter Paralympics in the downhill skiing discipline where I won a silver medal. I have participated in the sport of Goalball as a player and Administrator.  I am also a member of the Kiwi Blind Fishing Club where I have filled the role as Chairperson.

I feel that I have a deep and thorough   knowledge of blind Low Vision NZ operational services.  I also feel that I know the rich history of the RNZFB and watching it grow from a paternalistic institution to where we are today as a Person-Centered organization. 

I feel this is one way that as a Board Director I can give back to an organisation that has helped me become the person I am today.