Fresh faces behind Women's Network Whanganui

Editor - Whanganui Chronicle ·Whanganui Chronicle·

1 Feb, 2018 10:00 PM2 mins to read

Women's Network board members, from left, Christina Emery, Linsey Higgins, Marianne Archibald, Cushela Robson, Terry Sarten, Leonie Matoe, Nicola Patrick, Carla Donson (manager) and Samantha Bills.

A renewed Women's Network Whanganui board is looking to make the organisation more financially secure.

All but one of the board recently stepped down making way for a fresh nine-member team.

The network has existed since 1986 and is based in the Ladies Rest building in St Hill St offering personal support to women and their families.

It is also running the upcoming La Fiesta which celebrates women and community.

New secretary Nicola Patrick said there was a group of people wanting to contribute more to the network which allowed some long-serving board members to step away.

"It's really positive and has re-energised the team," she said.

"The thing that we are initiating is some new ways for people to support our network because we run on the smell of an oily rag and from time to rime our cashflow does get really tight."

The network is introducing a "hero" supporters scheme with different levels of support and rewards for $10, $100 and $1000.

A hero supporter pays $10 a year and gets discounted tickets to Women's Network events.

A super hero pays $100 a year and gets an invitation to a supporter's function while an ultimate super hero pays $1000 to become a lifetime supporter and be recognised in some artwork at the Ladies' Rest.

The network employers one person - manager Carla Donson - but is supported by volunteers, which Ms Patrick said they needed more of.

"We're about celebrating women in the community, not celebrating women in isolation," she said.

"We also advocate women in general as well and we're really keen to support men who are doing that as well."

Women's Network Whanganui board members are self-nominated but have to be confirmed by a vote at the network's AGM.