Our People

Trustees

Chairperson: Dianne Denny

September 2006 to current [Trustee since June 2006]

Currently working for the Waitemata District Health Board as a co-ordinator of Volunteers for the Volunteer Stroke Scheme. Work background has been in the health field working in Australia for various Disability Services. Previously a Board member, Volunteering Victoria, Melbourne [Trustee]. Was Chair of Disabled person’s council in Victoria, voluntary probation officer and many other voluntary positions. Currently Chair and Trustee of Volunteering Auckland, a board member of Volunteering New Zealand [VNZ] and a member of the VNZ Maori/Pacific Advisory Group.

Vice Chair: Catherine Mitchell

September 2010 to current [Trustee since April 2009] Trustee_Catherine09

Currently National Operations Manager of Alliance Catering (part of the Spotless Group), holds a Masters of Management from University of Technology Sydney; is a member of Corporate Business Women’s Network Auckland. Volunteer and charity involvement includes wish granting for Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia; SPCA volunteer supervisor (Auckland); board member and committee chair Zonta International Auckland; raising funds for disadvantaged children in Kenya and Nepal by climbing Kilimanjaro and hiking to Everest base Camp with Wellington based Global Volunteer Network..

Treasurer: Matt Parkinson

September 2010 to current [[Trustee since September 2010] Trustee_Matt11

As a Partner at chartered accountancy firm Grant Thornton New Zealand, Matt specialises in advising privately held businesses, not for profits and high net-worth individuals. Matt has over 14 years of experience in this field and enjoys the everyday challenges that his clients bring him and the achievements they attain.

As a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants and of Te Rarawa and Whakatohea iwi, Matt is also heavily involved with the Maori Accountants group which looks to advance the social and economic welfare of Maori through participation in the accounting profession

Trustees:

Robert Limb

Kate Ashcroft

Peter Yates

Nick Scott

Gabby Clezy

Robert Limb [August 2007 to current]

Managing Director of RAPP Tribal, a communications agency specialising in interactive, website, direct marketing and strategic planning. Prior to his appointment at Volunteering Auckland Rob was Chair person and trustee for Volunteer Wellington, where he worked for 8 years. Rob specialises in donor based and has worked with Oxfam , Barnardos and CCS to grow donor commitment and increase funding.

Kate Ashcroft [November 2008 to current]

Currently works as an Employment Lawyer for Hesketh Henry. She previously worked with a boutique employment law firm in Auckland and before that, a large Waikato firm. Also worked in corporate human resources with a public sector employer in Australia and is a member of the Auckland District Law Society Employment Law Committee.

Peter Yates [March 2008 to current]

AAfter moving to New Zealand from the UK in 2004, Pete has worked for Telecom NZ in a number of management positions in the corporate security and networking arena. His most recent role is with Auckland Council as the IS Infrastructure Manager responsible for all aspects of supporting and maintaining the Council’s complex IT infrastructure. He has recently completed a post graduate certification in Business Management through the University of Waikato.

Nick Scott [March 2010 to current]

Currently works as a Commercial Relationship Manager with BNZ. Previously Nick worked for an international bank in NZ before a posting to their head office in London to work in their Corporate and Investment Banking division. Nick moved back to Auckland with his wife and has one son. Nick is passionate about Auckland’s community and sees opportunities for volunteering to connect people to communities and build opportunities at the same time.

Gabby Clezy [June 2011 to current]

Gabby has worked in the health and education and development sectors for over 25 years. Initially qualifying as a Pharmacist she has worked at a senior level in both public and private health care organisations in New Zealand and the UK .Her recent experience includes Principle Pharmacist for South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and as a senior clinical lecturer at Kent University. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2008 Gabby worked as a Senior Advisor with the Ministry of Health before accepting the position of Business Improvement Manager for aged care provider Bupa Care Services.

Staff

General Manager: Cheryll Martin

Cheryll is the General Manager of Volunteering Auckland (since 1995).

Cheryll is a current Executive Member of the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations [NZFVWO] and a ministerial appointee to the Auckland Social Policy Forum. She was a member of the Ministerial Reference Group for the International Year of Volunteers, 2001; and was a community representative on the Ministry of Social Policy Volunteers & Volunteering Policy Project.

Cheryll has a particular interest in where volunteering fits within our communities from all aspects – arts, sport, conservation, health, social services, etc and the impact it can have on both the individual, the community/voluntary sector and the communities within which we live, work and play. She is also a strong believer in making volunteering accessible and sees volunteering as an active form of Citizen engagement. She also advocates for the right to spontaneous voluntary action and the freedom of an individuals’ choice of where and how to volunteer towards the benefit of the common good. Cheryll is also a strong advocate of the principles behind effective volunteer management and of the need for community groups/non-profit organisations to revisit their volunteer management practices regularly.

Additionally, Cheryll has 1 daughter, 3 grand-daughters, 2 cats and is the volunteer coordinator for the Auckland Stock and Saloon Car Club at Waikaraka Park, Auckland where she enjoys participating in Demolition Derbys.

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Services Coordinator [Internal]: Marja van Straaten

Marja has been with Volunteering Auckland since January 1999. Her current role is Services Coordinator [Internal] and this involves ensuring that the office runs smoothly, with adequate staffing levels for admin support and our recruitment and referral programme; this includes supervision and training of staff.

She also liaises with member organisations so we have their up to date information and current volunteer vacancies so our database holds accurate information for our team to work with.

Marja enjoys most about her work is seeing a very positive side to people in general. First of all the fabulous team of volunteers who make it all happen at VA, and there are those who have gone well beyond what could be expected. And then there are those who come through our doors looking for a voluntary opportunity to make a difference in the community; whether it be to give something back, course related study, work experience or building new networks, they all give of their time and skill to make a difference to someone else’s life. This is a spirit of Volunteering and a great environment to work in!

Her days off are spent with family and friends and her 5 grandchildren who keep her on her toes!

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