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RNZFB Board Elections 2024

Key dates

  • 23 August – Call for nominations to stand as a Director.
  • 20 September – Last day for nominations.
  • 11 October – Voting packs circulated.
  • 8 November – Last day to vote.

If you would like more information about Board elections, becoming a director, the Constitution or the voting process or timeline, please contact the Returning Officer boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

Logo of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. In te reo Māori, Te Tuāpāpā o Te Hunga Kāpō o Aotearoa.

Message from RNZFB Board Chair, Clive Lansink

I am pleased to share the outcomes of this year’s RNZFB Board Elections and Special Meeting of Members, and the winner of this year’s Chair’s Award.

RNZFB Board Election Results

Congratulations to our three sitting directors, Anne Marie Taggart, Ron Scott, and Richard Patete, who have been re-elected to serve another three years on the Board. Their dedication and leadership are invaluable, and we thank them for their ongoing service.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Paul Geertson and Jacqueline Galiki for standing in the election. Their commitment to supporting Blind Low Vision NZ is greatly appreciated.

Special Meeting of Members Results

We are pleased to announce that all proposed changes to the Constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) were passed. These updates will strengthen the governance of the organisation:

  • Director Fees: Fees will now be set in line with regular independent reviews of director fees in the not-for-profit sector, rather than through a postal ballot of members.
  • Board Diversity: The Constitution now formally recognises the value of diversity in Board membership.
  • Complaints Process: A new process will allow complaints against the Chief Executive to first be handled by an independent decision-making panel. If someone remains unsatisfied, they can still bring their complaint to the Board.
  • Administrative Updates: Various minor administrative changes were also made to ensure clarity and efficiency.

Chair’s Report

The Chair’s report to the AGM highlights the Board’s achievements throughout the past year and the goals we are striving towards. A written version of the report will be included in the meeting minutes, and will soon be published in the Chair’s Newsletters section on the Governance webpage of the Blind Low Vision NZ website.

Chair’s Award 2024: Mark Laurent

This year, we were honoured to present the Chair’s Award to Mark Laurent, a musician, songwriter, and poet with low vision who has made remarkable contributions to the arts over his 50-year career.

Mark has written over 200 original songs, often exploring themes of faith and social connection, and he now focuses on performing his own music while touring New Zealand. He is also the author of the children’s book Rufus and the Rain, and his work continues to inspire with its authenticity and creativity.

Mark’s achievements demonstrate the talent, resilience, and passion that define so many in our community. We celebrate his success and are proud to recognise his contributions through the Chair’s Award. Here is Mark Laurent’s LinkedIn profile page.

Thank you for your support and engagement with Blind Low Vision NZ. We look forward to sharing more updates soon, including the Chair’s full report.

23 August 2024

Call for nominations for Directors

2024 RNZFB Board Elections

Dear Member

Under the Constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB), you have the right to nominate and elect people to the Board of Directors.

This year, three vacancies exist on the Board, each having a term of three years. The directors whose terms are expiring this year are Richard Patete, Anne Marie Taggart and Ron Scott. These directors are eligible to be elected for another term.

Making a nomination

Directors must be nominated and seconded by Members.  Anyone may be nominated (blind, deafblind, with low vision or sighted), as long as they consent and are not disqualified from doing so, as outlined in section 7.2 of the Constitution.

  • You can be nominated for a seat, but you are only entitled to propose others (you cannot nominate yourself).
  • You can make one or more nominations for Directors.

Further information about the role of the RNZFB Board of Directors, required capabilities of Board Directors and requirements for Board membership is available on the RNZFB Elections website as well as further down this webpage.

Nomination forms

Only nominations on the prescribed form are valid. To receive a nomination form, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

All nominations must be received at Blind Low Vision NZ by 4:00pm on Friday 20 September 2024.

Board elections and voting

Voting papers will be sent to all members, in their preferred format, on Friday 11 October 2024.

Blind Low Vision NZ offers voting information in a range of formats including Braille, large print, email, online and the Telephone Information Service (TIS).

RNZFB members are able to cast their vote in the election via a print form, Braille card, Telephone Dictation Voting, the Telephone Information Service (TIS) and online voting.

Changes to preferred formats

Blind Low Vision NZ holds information about members’ preferred formats for receiving election information and for voting. However, we do not have any format listed for you for voting, which means you will be sent a printed voting form.

If you would like to receive correspondence or vote in a different format, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33. The Contact Centre can also help with any questions about the elections process and how to vote.

The closing date for changes to preferred voting formats is Friday 20 September 2024.

Information for nominators and nominees

2024 RNZFB Board Elections

The RNZFB Board is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages this to be borne in mind throughout the election process.

The Board’s Role

The role of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s Board is governance, rather than management. It focuses on Blind Low Vision NZ’s wider issues of organisational purpose, governance, setting and monitoring of strategic direction and the establishment and monitoring of Board-level policies. The Board works in close partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure that Blind Low Vision NZ objectives and goals are achieved.

Capabilities required of Board members

It is desirable that directors are able to contribute to the following capabilities from their own personal expertise and competence:

  • Understanding of the needs of people who are blind, deafblind and those with low vision, including youth and tāngata whenua;
  • Leadership;
  • A sound knowledge of the not-for-profit disability sector;
  • Knowledge of finance and financial management, risk management and accounting principles;
  • Understanding of governance and modern boardroom practice;
  • Awareness and understanding of diversity;
  • Knowledge of strategic governance and business planning;
  • Business acumen and analysis;
  • Sound analytical skills, creative thinking and good judgement;
  • Having high ethical standards;
  • Down-to-earth common sense;
  • Expertise in strategic policy development; and/or
  • Understanding of the law.

From time to time the Board reviews its own capabilities, identifies gaps and offers training or brings in additional professional support or expertise.

Requirements for Board membership

  • Have a commitment to work for the greater good of Blind Low Vision NZ and all of its clients and other stakeholders.
  • Be familiar with Blind Low Vision NZ policies, plans and priorities and demonstrate this through debate and participation in all areas of the Board’s responsibilities.
  • Have a willingness to serve on one or more Board committees or working parties.
  • Have access to information via a computer with an internet connection, or an alternative means of dealing with agendas and reports that can be over 200 pages of print.

Time commitment

Directors are expected to make every effort to attend all Board meetings, committee meetings and other Board commitments and devote sufficient time to become familiar with Blind Low Vision NZ affairs and the wider environment within which it operates.

Board meetings are currently held bi-monthly on a Friday and Saturday, in different locations across New Zealand. In addition, there are associated meetings, such as strategic planning weekends and ad hoc committee meetings, which are scheduled outside these times in order to fit in with the availability of members of the particular committee. Zoom is used when feasible to reduce the amount of travel.

The weekly time commitment asked of directors can vary greatly with some weeks requiring only a few hours in responding to emails. However, in the week leading up to Board and Committee meetings, this will involve several hours in reading agenda papers to adequately prepare for these meetings and more for the chairs of the respective committees.

Remuneration

Directors are entitled to remuneration for their time or services at a rate of up to $7,000 per annum. Higher rates apply for the Chair and Deputy Chair. There is no other payment for earnings foregone as a result of attending meetings.

Blind Low Vision NZ also covers out-of-pocket expenses incurred while on Board business, such as travel, meals, accommodation and phone charges.

Key constitutional points relating to Board elections

1. The Board will have at least nine and no more than 11 members:

  • Only members may vote in respect of the nine general seats.
  • There may be up to two co-opted seats.
  • A person does not need to be a Member of the RNZFB to be nominated.

2. The following people are disqualified from nomination:

  • Anyone under 18 years of age;
  • Anybody who is prohibited by law from being a director or promoter or from taking part in the management of a company;
  • An undischarged bankrupt;
  • Anybody subject to a property order in terms of the Personal and Property Rights Act 1988;
  • Anybody subject to a compulsory treatment order in terms of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992; or
  • Any person convicted within the previous 10 years of a crime involving dishonesty.

3. A nomination must:

  • Be on the prescribed form;
  • Contain only one nomination;
  • Be proposed by two members entitled to vote for the general seat for which the nominee is standing;
  • Be signed by two proposers;
  • Contain a statement that the nominee consents to the nomination and is not disqualified; and
  • Contain a statement that the candidate is familiar with the Constitution and agrees to be bound by it and any other relevant rules or laws.

4. If the ballot for Directors results in a draw for any of the seats, the successful candidate will be drawn by lot.

5. After the election is complete, unsuccessful candidates will be listed in order according to the number of votes received. This is the ‘Casual Vacancy Schedule’ and will be used in the event of a casual vacancy on the Board.

6. Directors elect the Chair and Deputy Chair at the first meeting following each annual general meeting of members.

7. A co-opted Board member cannot be Chair.

8. There are rules covering conflict of Directors’ interests. Conflicts or potential conflicts must be declared and are recorded in a Register of Interests.

9. Directors are protected by indemnity insurance in appropriate circumstances.

10. Directors serve three-year terms and are normally then eligible for re-nomination.

11. A Director will vacate office in the event of:

  • A written resignation;
  • Becoming disqualified;
  • Absence from three consecutive meetings without written leave of absence; or
  • Death.

23 August 2024

Voting options for RNZFB Board Elections

Dear Member

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) wants everyone to vote in the way they are most comfortable. We offer the following options for you to vote privately, in the way that best suits your needs: print form, Braille card, Telephone Dictation Voting, the Telephone Information Service (TIS) and online voting. Here we give some information about each option. If you want more information or to change the way you cast your vote, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

Please note the closing date for changes to preferred voting formats is Friday 20 September 2024.

Print form

This is a traditional printed voting form in large print for easy reading by sight. The names of the candidates are listed in a random order. You cast your vote by using a pen and marking the box for each of up to three candidates you can vote for. You must then place the completed voting form in the addressed envelope provided and post it, so it is received no later than 4:00pm on the closing date for voting.

Braille card

This method uses cards with Braille for people who read Braille. You will receive one card for each candidate, where each card has the name of the candidate written in Braille. You cast your vote by choosing the card for each of up to three candidates you can vote for. You then place those cards in the addressed envelope and post it, so it is received no later than 4:00pm on the closing date for voting.

Telephone Dictation Voting

This option allows you to cast your vote privately by making a phone call. Before you vote, you are given a unique number. This can be given to you over the phone by someone in the Contact Centre or sent to you by text, message or email.

When you are ready to vote, you will phone a phone number that is also given to you beforehand. When someone answers, you won’t give your name, but instead you will identify yourself by providing the unique number that was given to you. This means the person you are talking to won’t know your name.

You cast your vote by telling that person the names of up to three candidates you can vote for. That person then records your vote on your behalf. You need to do this after voting opens and before 4:00pm on the closing date for voting. An external call centre is used so when you cast your vote, you won’t be talking to an employee of the RNZFB.

The Telephone Information Service (TIS)

This option also allows you to cast your vote privately by making a phone call. But with this option you vote by using the standard dialling buttons on your phone.

You first need to be registered to use the Telephone Information Service (TIS). TIS is an automated service that lets you choose information you want to hear by pressing the dialling buttons on your phone. For voting, it helps if you already have some experience with that service.

When you are ready to vote, you will be asked to enter your TIS user number and PIN, which you do by pressing the buttons on your phone. TIS will then give you instructions on what to do. You can use the buttons on your phone to hear the name of each candidate one by one.

You can cast a vote for up to the three candidates you can vote for, by pressing a particular button on your phone after you hear the name of a candidate you want to vote for. TIS will speak the names back to you so you know you are voting for the candidates you want. You can always hang up and start again if you make a mistake, but your votes are properly recorded once you confirm at the end. You need to do this after voting opens and before 4:00pm on the closing date for voting.

Full information about each candidate standing for election is also available on this service, including their 300-word profile and 60-word snapshot of capabilities as well as recordings of the candidates’ interviews. If you would prefer to access the candidate information on TIS rather than receive the same information in your own preferred format, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 to ask them to change your preferred format for elections information to TIS.

For people who are not familiar with voting this way, TIS has a demonstration election that lets you practice voting using the dialling keys on your phone. You can try it first before you decide.

Online voting

This method uses a traditional website and you vote using a web browser on your computer, smartphone or most other devices that can browse the web. The website is fully accessible so works with screen readers and a variety of access technologies and can be used by keyboard, mouse or touchscreen.

You first need to have a valid email address registered with Blind Low Vision NZ, so you can be emailed the instructions and link to the website. A username and five-digit password is also emailed to you.

When you are ready to vote, you use your browser like you normally would to go to the voting website. You enter your user name and password that was previously emailed to you. You cast your vote by checking the box for each of up to three candidates you can vote for. Finally, you go through a simple process to confirm and submit your votes. You need to do this after voting opens and before 4:00pm on the closing date for voting.

Full information about each candidate standing for election is also available on this website, including their 300-word profile and 60-word snapshot of capabilities as well as recordings of the candidates’ interviews. If you would prefer to access the candidate information online rather than receive the same information in your own preferred format, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33 to ask them to change your preferred format for elections information to online, or complete the update preferred format details form on the website.

A demonstration voting website is available. Please phone the Contact Centre for details about the test site so you can try before you decide.

Nomination form

Only nominations on the prescribed form are valid. To receive a nomination form, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

All nominations must be received at Blind Low Vision NZ by 4:00pm on Friday 20 September 2024.

23 August 2024

Meet the Candidates event – Monday 23 September at 6:00pm

Dear Member

To help inform your voting, this year the RNZFB will be running a question-and-answer session for voters. This is an opportunity for you to ask the nominated candidates anything that is important to you in making a voting decision about who will be elected to the RNZFB Board.

The session will be held on Monday 23 September at 6:00pm via Zoom. The event details are as follows:

Online: https://blindlowvision.zoom.us/j/3609027534 

Phone: 0800 96 66 74

Meeting ID No: 360 902 7534# then enter #

The session will be facilitated by Nicola Owen.

It will be recorded and made available on the Telephone Information Service at option 3, 1, 4, 7, 9 and the rnzfbelections.org.nz website.

You can submit questions to the candidates in advance.

We invite you to ask anonymous questions via:

  1. Phone the Blind Low Vision NZ Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.
  2. Email your question to the Board Secretary boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz or
  3. RNZFB Elections website rnzfbelections.org.nz.

Questions will be revealed to candidates for the first time at the session and the order of providing answers will vary to ensure it is a fair platform for all.

All candidates will answer each question, and time will determine how many questions can be put to the candidates. Depending on the number of questions and candidates, we cannot guarantee that all questions will be put to the candidates. Also if we have questions on similar themes, these may be combined into a single question.

Key dates:

  • Please submit your questions no later than Sunday 15 September.
  • Meet the candidates session is 6:00pm on Monday 23 September.
  • Voting closes on Friday 8 November.

More information about the RNZFB Board Elections process is available on the rnzfbelections.org.nz website and Blind Low Vision NZ website including TIS.

Further questions

If you have any questions about the election process or how to cast your vote, please phone the Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.