A new era for La Leche League New Zealand (LLLNZ) has started with the separation of governance and management. A new Board was announced on Saturday at the Annual General Meeting held in Auckland.
Earlier this year, members voted in a new constitution requiring board members to be elected by the whole membership. Previous boards have been made up of people in specific roles, who have been chosen by smaller internal groups. The new system is more open and democratic, and greater engagement from the membership in the work of the board is expected, according to outgoing Director, Janine Pinkham.
“We realised we needed this change because governing and managing need different perspectives,” said Janine. She added, “the old structure was inflexible and the workload for volunteers, doing it all, was too great.”
As a result of the new structure two key positions have been created; national coordinator and board chair. Previous Director, Janine, has been appointed as the Acting National Coordinator. Long term volunteer Janet McClean was elected as Board Chair at the first meeting of the new governance board on Saturday.
“It’s a great privilege to become the first Board Chair of the new era, and I’m delighted to be working with the new board members. We’re looking forward to taking La Leche League NZ into the future on a stronger footing,” said Janet.
While the board has changed it is business as usual for the rest of the organisation. Volunteer La Leche League Leaders are available around the country to help families seeking information and support for breastfeeding.
Contact information:
National Coordinator – Janine Pinkham, M: 027 226 9930, E: nc@lalecheleague.org.nz
Board Chair – Janet McClean, M: 027 321 8940, E: boardchair@lalecheleague.org.nz
Office Administrator – Kirsty Mos, T: 04 978 7113, E: administrator@lalecheleague.org.nz,
A: PO Box 50780 Porirua 5240, W: lalecheleague.org.nz
