He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata

The Board has confirmed dates and the venue for this year’s AGM and Conference. We will be at the Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport. Once again and to make the most of everyone’s availability, and mindful of people’s travel time this will again be held over two days.Page 26 of 32

We start at 9am Friday 18 October and will finish following our Conference Dinner the evening of Saturday 19 October. Business sessions and guest presenters will be spread across the two days.

Financial assistance for ‘first time’ attendees The Board is allocating funds to support ‘first time’ attendees. Funding for ‘first time’ attendees is about providing financial assistance for Ordinary (voting) Members.

To be eligible for financial assistance as a first-time attendee, in addition to this being the first time you would be attending a Blind Citizens NZ AGM and Conference, three requirements need to be met. You must:

• be in a position to make a financial contribution (each situation is determined on a case-by-case basis);
• commit to attending the full two days of the AGM and Conference including the Conference Dinner (attendance can be on a daily basis, or staying at the Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport.
• be an Ordinary (financial voting) member of Blind Citizens NZ. If you meet these requirements and would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact the Chief Executive for further information via one of the following options:
• Email: admin@blindcitizensnz.org.nz and put “2024 first-time attendee” in the subject line;
• Post: PO Box 7144, Newtown, Wellington 6242;
• Phone: 0800 222 694;

Applications for financial assistance for first time attendees close 4pm, Thursday 15 August 2024. The Board will make a final decision about the number of members it can support following the close of expressions of interest.

Registration details (costs etc.), will be publicised in our June Focus issue. They will also be available from our National Office, Branches and Networks by the end of April. To lighten the load a little with paying your registration costs, you can take advantage of the option to pay by instalment. You can find out more and put a payment plan in place by contacting National Office. Each situation is considered on a case-by-case basis.

In the meantime we hope you will save the dates and start planning to come along.