It took the Gay Auckland Business Association only half an hour to present its President's report, the Treasurer's accounts and confirm its new Executive Board at yesterday evening's Annual General Meeting in Newmarket's Urban Café.
The speedy AGM leaves GABA in a good position as the long-running professional network works hard to face-off the recession, says its President Gavin Hyde.
"Whether it is supporting community events, members' business initiatives, issues of social justice or health campaigns, or simply having drinks together and catching up on the gossip, we are the sum total of our connections to each other."
Hyde was voted back in as President of the Executive Board, with Ben Beer in as Secretary, and Rodney Beale again the Treasurer. Mike Brady, Lindsay Rea, Rainbow Youth's Daniel Chorley, Andy Smith and Glenn Sims were also elected onto the Board.
Hyde thanked former GABA President Johnny Givens for his many years of hard work with a special Life Membership honour, and also acknowledged outgoing Board member Neville Creighton for his assistance as membership administrator for the last two and a half years.
Although GABA had been working hard in the past year and organised several successful events, and its funds are fairly stable, member numbers are down a little on last year, said Hyde. "Together we must as a group each take personal responsibility to actively promote and solicit our fellow GLBT professionals and businesspeople to join and participate in our organisation," he told the meeting yesterday.
"Thank you for your support and here's to a huge year ahead."
