Conference Blog & Competition
So it’s all go in the HRINZ office, counting down to the National Conference which kicks off on August 9th. This is always a busy time for the office with everyone cracking away at their own little niches and tasks so we can pull the whole thing off without it ever seeming as if any work went it to it at all. All this is, of course, for our delegates and exhibitors benefit but that isn’t to say we don’t derive a certain sense of satisfaction from a job well done ourselves!
So what is it we are doing and who is doing it? Let me enlighten you…and don’t forget to enter the competition at the bottom of the page!
Starting at the top with the frenetically busy yet always high spirited Chief Executive Beverley Main who had this to say:
“This year’s Big Day Out for HR Business Leaders has been very popular with all the places being filled within hours of the invitation going out. We’re not sure if it’s the beautiful venue (Roxy Theatre), the insight that Kim Rickard from Weta Digital will give us on working inside the film industry, or the promise of listening to Eastern Suburbs expert, Roger Tweedy, waxing lyrical on the drive-by back to the city about how Miramar has been transformed from a tired working class suburb into the place of stars, dreams and jobs. Or maybe it’s the promise of a yummy lunch, nice wines and great networking on a national level…”
Kelsi Doscher, our Membership Manager, has been working hard on our theme for the HRINZ expo stand – which is very Kiwiana – and it should grab the attention of delegates and day visitors alike whether from New Zealand or from far off distant lands. Kelsi has been working on the Professional Members and Mentors Dinner, an invitation only event to recognise the work and dedication of HRINZ Mentors and Professional Members which will be held on the first evening of Conference.
Helping Kelsi is Jo Brown the Membership Administrator who has been keeping track of all our new members and making sure they are aware of the upcoming conference and that our database is kept up to date and current
Sheridan Rose, the HRINZ Professional Development and Event Manager has been sorting out the terribly fashionable conference T-Shirts, making decisions concerning the little things like signage, name-tags, ticket design and the design of the conference satchels. When not spending time on the aesthetics she has also been taking care of arranging the President’s Dinner venue and making sure you all have costumes available for hire on the night of the Gala Dinner. Finally, and much to the consternation of the rest of us, Sheridan spent half a day tasting food to make sure it was up to par for the rest of us!
The Executive Assistant, Michelle Tattersall, has been in touch with our 10 generous donor organisations that have gifted 7 recipients from a range of sectors to attend the HRINZ conference. The list as follows is:
Fragomen- Darline Ewing-Jarvie, Presbyterian Support Central
Integrity Works & Buckett Law (joint gifted place) – Francois Schoeman, Iris Limited
Transpower – Katie O’Brien, Wellington Free Ambulance
Zuri Consulting – Richard Maxwell, Well Health Trust & Newtown Union Health
Gough and Associates, Catalyst Pacific Ltd, Carroll Consulting (joint gifted place) – Christine Hanks , Mary Potter Hospice
SPARC – Kelly Newbold, Sport Wellington
HRINZ – Joanne Ring, Wellington Zoo Trust
Thanks to all our donors!
Jen Bailey, the Office Administrator who we couldn’t do without, has been spending her time collating and organising the pre-conference survey and doing some preparation for our speakers. While doing this she has also been sending and receiving registrations and conference confirmations not to mention making sure everyone knows where and when the session will be and who’ll be speaking.
Finally there’s myself, Mike Metcalfe Communications Manager and Brenda Tweedy, Research and Education Manager. We, as the two newest members of the HRINZ team have slightly less responsibility at this stage but for my part I am making sure you all know what’s coming up and Brenda has been helping design the HRINZ Gala costumes and tells me “All HR team building exercises should include a little wine which stimulates the creative side of the brain in many ways and dulls the pain”.
And I nearly forgot George Matthews, the HRINZ Accountant. When I asked him what he did in preparation for conference he stared at me for a second and said, deadpan as they come, “accounts” before moving off to do what I assume was, well, more accounts.
Competition
In preparation for the conference the HRINZ team has been putting together our costumes. From the 2 photos below what is it you think we are coming as? What could these strange….’things’ possibly be?
The correct answer will receive a delicious bottle of wine and, if no one can guess correctly, the most creative answer wins as judged by the HRINZ National Office. Entries close Friday 5th August.
TO ENTER: Send your answer to Michael.metcalfe@hrinz.org.nz. Winner announced Monday 8 August
CONGRATULATIONS to Rebecca Morrissey! She has won the competition!
The HRINZ team are going as Pohutakawa trees. We had a few correct entries but Rebecca was the first. We’ll be winging you out a bottle of wine.