RNZFB Board Elections

Candidates standing in the 2025 Board Elections

Announcement from the Returning Officer

On Friday 26 September, nominations closed for candidates standing for election to the Board of Directors of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB). At the close of nominations, the following valid nominations were received:

• Clive Lansink
• Latoa Halatau-Talagi
• Judy Small
• Paul Brown
• Jody Cruickshank
• Maria Stevens
• John Billings

There are three vacancies to fill. Since more than this number of people have been nominated, an election will take place. Voting papers will be sent to members on Friday 17 October.

To help voters decide who to vote for, this year the RNZFB will be running a “Meet the Candidates” session on Monday 13 October at 6:00pm, so voters can hear how candidates answer questions put to them. If you would like to suggest a question, please email the Board Secretary at boardsecretary@blindlowvision.org.nz no later than Sunday 5 October.

More information about the RNZFB Board Elections is available on the Blind Low Vision NZ website’s Board Elections page including the Telephone Information Service menu 3, 1, 4.

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.

Regards
Diana Chandler
Returning Officer
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
Te Tuāpāpā O Te Hunga Kāpō O Aotearoa

Information for nominators and nominees

This introduction outlines what is expected of directors of the RNZFB (Blind Low Vision NZ) Board. It is your choice to decide who you wish to vote for. It is important that the people you choose to elect have the ability to govern the RNZFB in the best interests of clients, members, staff, volunteers and others who have a stake in the organisation. The following information may help you make your decision.

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 and good judgement;
• 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 monthly that are typically over 200 pages of print. Blind Low Vision NZ will provide the necessary adaptive technology, training, and aids to support directors to fulfil their governance duties.

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 $9,700 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 being a Director of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind:

• Anyone under 18 years of age;
• An undischarged bankrupt;
• Forbidden by law from being a Director or Manager of a Company;
• Any person subject to an order under the following Acts:
  • Incorporated Societies Act 2022;
  • Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2023;
  • Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009;
  • Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988;
  • Equivalent laws of a country, state, or territory outside New Zealand.
• Any person who is, or is deemed to be, subject to a compulsory treatment order made under Part II of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
• Any person convicted within the previous 10 years of a crime involving dishonesty.
• Any person who is an employee of the Foundation.

There are other grounds of disqualification detailed in the Constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and various other laws. Please contact the Board Secretary if you need further information.

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.

Voting options for RNZFB Board Elections

Registered voting members of Blind Low Vision NZ can cast their votes in the Board Elections in the following ways. To know how to become a registered voting member or to change how you cast your vote, please call our Contact Centre on 0800 24 33 33.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) wants everyone to vote in the way they are most comfortable. We provide voting information in a range of formats including Braille, large print, email, online and the Telephone Information Service (TIS). 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.

We hold information about members’ preferred formats for receiving election information and for voting. If you do not have any changes to your preferred format, no further action is required.

If you want more information or to change the way you receive correspondence and/or 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 26 September 2025.

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 secure survey platform and will require you to follow a link sent to you on email and then you can vote using a form displayed on a web browser on your computer, smartphone or other internet enabled device. The platform is fully accessible so works with screen readers and a variety of access technologies and can be operated by keyboard, mouse or touchscreen.

You will need to have a valid email address registered with Blind Low Vision NZ, so you can be emailed the instructions and link to the form. No username or password is needed.

When you are ready to vote, open the email and select the ‘vote now’ link. The voting platform will only allow you to vote once, multiple votes or adjusting your vote after voting is not possible.

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 the Blind Low Vision NZ 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.

Notice of AGM 2025

Notice of the 2025 RNZFB Annual General Meeting will be updated here in due course.