Chairperson's Annual Report

Chairperson's Report to Annual General Meeting, 14 November 2011

I am sure that AGMs all over the city will be marking this year as exceptional and the Family Help Trust will be no different in this respect. However, the challenges in each organization will be unique just as our own individual experiences have varied widely. Some have described post earthquake Christchurch as a tale of two cities and this has been borne out by our clients and staff where staff have encountered more complex and distressing circumstances than usual on the eastern side of town. It is a great credit to our Director, Libby Robins, our Clinical Services manager Bill Pringle and all the staff that our service has hardly missed a beat and the care and concern for our families/whanau has continued right from day one post earthquakes. The wonderful Christchurch Police fundraiser that emerged from the photographic record of February 22nd must surely be a symbol of our combined approach to build strong positive families/whanau for our children. I am sure the success of this venture was due in great measure to the efforts of our board member Dave Cliff.

In other ways our year has been eventful and I wish to note just a few of our achievements. Our contractual arrangements with CYF and MSD have continued to strengthen and grow, we were successful in obtaining an interim contract with the Department of Corrections for a pilot mothers and babies programme, and most recently we were fortunate to be approached to sponsor the launching of the HIPPY programme in Christchurch. Libby's big adventure sponsored by the Winston Churchill fund to view and review services and programmes for mothers and babies in prisons in other parts of the world recognized her dedication and skills. The fact that this adventure received ministerial support is indicative of the value this government places on her input. Overall we continue to be recognized by the Hon Paula Bennett and the Hon Bill English et al as pioneers in our field and offering a model which they openly acknowledge is now guiding their decision-making.

Our funding committee has worked tirelessly this past year and the recent Duncan Coterill lunch was a shining example of their professionalism and commitment. We regretfully accepted the resignation of Judith Miller from the chairperson's role; we have valued her contribution and the growing of our fundraising platform. We were very pleased to accept Beatrice Cheer's offer to lead us into 2012 and look forward to working with her on future projects.

I am fortunate in being able to rely on a stable and committed board. Each member has stepped up to the plate whenever needed. Alison Wilkie's work in the secretarial role has been very efficient and we were sorry to accept her resignation from the board just recently. We are going to missAlison's thoroughness and regular considered input. Liz Chesterman's willingness to chair meetings as necessary has been very helpful. Of course no mention of our board could pass without singling out Charles Knibb, our financial adviser and treasurer who unfailingly reports to, and cajoles the board to remind us of our ongoing financial vulnerabilities.

I'd like to thank the following major contributors and donors to our enterprise:

Air Rescue Services Trust
Beacham Foundation
CNZFGW Trust
Maurice Carter Charitable Trust
ChCh Airport Charitable Trust
COGS
Harry Cohen
Lion Foundation
Kiwi First
NZ Lottery Grants Board
Sovereign Assurance
The Southern Trust
Todd Foundation
Canterbury Community Trust
Keith Laugeson Trust
United Way
William Toomey Charitable Trust

Our service would be diminished without your support.

Finally I wish you all a mere kirihimete and urge you all to rest and focus on renewing your strength for the year to come when I have no doubt we shall share more obstacles and more successes. Just looking at the spring growth in our gardens and vacant spaces is a reminder of the amazing ability of nature to recover.

Annabel Taylor Ph D
(chairperson)

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