Refugee Services Reflects on 2010 and Looks Forward to 2011 at Annual General Meeting
On Wednesday, 15 December, Refugee Services held its Annual General Meeting with reports from Board Chairman Brian Lynch and Chief Executive Heather Hayden and an address from successful businessman and former refugee Mitchell Pham (at left with CE Heather Hayden).
Brian focused his report on the positive shifts Refugee Services has seen over the last year: increased transparency between Refugee Services’ Chief Executive and Board of Directors, improved relationships with government and the organisation’s chief funders, and the successful financial turnaround seen in 2010 due to strong management systems that were put in place. He also acknowledged the importance of Refugee Services’ involvement in a government-driven project that aims to settle the future of Mangere Refugee Reception Centre and put in place a genuine, cross-governmental response to the challenges posed by refugee resettlement. “That Refugee Services was invited to be centrally involved in the project is a tribute to the profile the organisation has earned as the lead agency in the area of refugee resettlement,” Brian said. “Heather and her team of [Refugee Services staff] and volunteers have worked tirelessly and to great effect in building that reputation and attaching prime importance to maintaining close links with the refugee community.” (Read Brian's full report here.)
Reflecting on the challenges facing Refugee Services at the start of 2010, Heather acknowledged the work done by Refugee Services’ staff and Board of Directors to meet those challenges and fulfil the commitments the organisation had made. The dedication of Refugee Services’ strong operational management team combined with a small restructuring of the organisation contributed to the success of the financial year, which Refugee Services ended with a small surplus instead of the deficit that had been faced in years prior. Heather also acknowledged the increase in support for our volunteers over the past year. “Our volunteers are essential to the work we do,” she said, “and we will be looking at ways in which we can develop the volunteer programme, strengthen their support and generally help make it a more rewarding experience.”
Looking forward, Heather also focused on new goals for the organisation in the coming year. “We are working to build stronger foundations, more secure lines of funding and become a provider of first choice to government,” she said. “Key areas for the next year will be a continued focus on ensuring we are delivering the best possible service to our clients. There is still some work to do in a number of areas,” she added, “but we are on a much more stable foundation.” (Read Heather's full report here.)
Refugee Services also welcomed esteemed guest speaker and former refugee from Vietnam Mitchell Pham, whose speech addressed the challenges and the successes of former refugees in
“There’s something that all refugees want to do,” said Mitchell. “We want to contribute to the country that took us in and we want to contribute back to our country of origin. These things are huge assets to
From the positive reports of Heather and Brian to the inspiring address by Mitchell, the most important aspect of the meeting was the recognition from all present about the vital need for resettlement support for refugees in New Zealand and the key role played by Refugee Services in delivering that support. As Heather said in the closing of her report, “We all work together to provide the best possible start to life in New Zealand for those who have had to flee their native countries, and come, without choice, to live in another country, far away from their homes.”