National Executive Committee
NEC Organisational Structure
Have you ever wondered how the National Executive Team (NEC) is structured, who is responsible for what area, who are the communication lines between members and NEC? Then take a look at the organisational structure attached. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Regional Leader.
National President
Sandy Inwood
A little about myself - I have been married to Mike for 34 years and we have 2 children - Kerri (33) who is currently living in Queensland with her fiancée Jason, and Hamish (30), married to Stacey and living in Blenheim - they have our 2 grandchildren, a wee boy (Maz) who has just turned 2 and a beautiful baby girl, Charlotte who is 4 months old. Aside from work and AAPNZ I manage to fill my time with family, knitting, sewing, reading and travel.
My administration career started in the mid 80s when I took a part time position as School Secretary at Rotherham School in North Canterbury, (the school that 5 generations of my family attended - including my two children!). We moved to Marlborough in 1989 for Mike's work (farming) and after a couple of part time jobs in retail, in 1992 I was employed full time as an administrator for MBM (Master Butchers Marlborough Ltd) where I learnt everything from Reception to HR/Payroll. I worked for this company, with many changes to my role along the way, until 1999 when Mike and I took the plunge and went on our OE. We applied for a job living and working on a sheep farm in New York State about 2 hours north of New York City - and were successful. We said goodbye to our children and off we went for the next 2 years. A wonderful experience which allowed us to meet many varied and interesting people as well as giving us the opportunity to travel extensively for 5 months before heading back home to New Zealand - to look for jobs again! It was with surprise (and relief) that I was offered a position of PA to the General Manager back at MBM, where I stayed until the company closed in 2005. I was then offered the position of Frontline Administrator/Accounts Payable with Aotearoa Seafoods - the position I am still in today.
I joined AAPNZ in January 2004 and became one of the founding management team members of Marlborough Group in November of that year. I was a member of the management team from 2004, carrying out a variety of roles, until being elected as Southern Regional Leader in 2008. I was then elected to the 2nd Vice President position at the 2009 AGM. I anticipated having a little more time before contemplating taking on the role of National President, but as we all know sometimes 'things' happen and I find myself in the role a little sooner that anticipated! I value my AAPNZ membership for the opportunities it has given me to not only extend my professional development, but to also put me in contact with other administrators in Marlborough and from throughout New Zealand. I am looking forward to the challenge of being national President, and will do my best to support our members and enhance the future profile of AAPNZ.
Northern Regional Leader
Alexis LewGor
My senior years in high school, Fiji, as a Prefect and a perpetual student of all things esoteric and interesting, set me off to pursue the field of business administration. My curious and expletory nature provided my greatest inspiration and much of the fuel for years to follow. After business school, I sought employment with all types of organisations and held various positions. One mean feat in my early career was working as Project Secretary for a $50 milion sawmill built from scratch. I pursued my artistic interests in fashion and set up a business partnership in 1990. A year later I sold the business and migrated to New Zealand in 1991.
I indulged in fulltime studies for 3 years. It was a struggle, as I experienced occupational slumming at the same time. After gaining a Certificate in Business, I attended numerous short courses to continue my professional development. In 2002 I was offered a position with Fletcher Challenge Forests, a large central north island forest owner in the forestry division as Site Administrator. This position incorporated all the skills I learnt in my earlier years and most of all it gave me an insight into what it was like working in the corporate world where it also taught me to manage huge budgets. I took redundancy 4 years later and travelled overseas for 4 months. On my return to NZ, I worked for another leading independent provider of forestry services, PF Olsen Ltd head office in Rotorua as an Office Administrator in the Harvesting division.
I am currently in the process of purchasing a small business in Rotorua where I will be able to apply another set of skills to ensure its success and at the same time, a whole new learning experience.
My other interests are wide and varied and include also 20 years of voluntary work which keeps me extremely busy. I also lead a handful of charitable organisations at regional and national level. On the 1st of July 2011, during the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Week, I was awarded a Rotorua Community Leadership Award. The awards were created by Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters, The Daily Post, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and Rotorua Trust to celebrate the Sir Peter Blake Trust leadership Week. Leadership Week is an annual event that highlights the strategic relevance and value that great leadership provides for New Zealand and showcases the work being done to develop our nation’s leadership capability.
AAPNZ for me incorporates everything that my employment history has taught me. I am a professional in what I do. I enjoy every moment of it; everyday a new lesson is learnt. What I have learnt, I share with others and hope that this adds to their self-development also.
Central Regional Leader
Margaret Bell (Dip Bus Admin, AAPNZ Cert)
It’s only when I reflect on my career that I start to feel old… I have over 30 years’ experience in various forms of administration – from telephonist, accounting, typesetting, teaching, public relations, advocacy, Personal Assistant and Executive Assistant – through to my current role as Executive Assistant and Professional Advisor Administration Services at Whanganui District Health Board. In this role, I am responsible for mentoring and coaching administrative staff and offering advice to clinical and non-clinical staff on administrative issues.
I am proud to be a member of AAPNZ, which provides ongoing opportunities for professional and personal development. I first joined Wanganui NZSES (NZ Society for Executive Secretaries) in 1995 and was a member of the inaugural Wanganui Group Committee. In 2009, I formalised my experience and gained a Diploma in Business Administration (Level 5) and have one paper to complete toward gaining the NZIM Diploma in Management.
Membership of AAPNZ has me with provided numerous professional development opportunities and in 2010, I was fortunate to win a members’ only prize to attend the IQPC EA/PA Summit at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. July 2011 has been a whirlwind. Within ten days, I have:
- attended the 8th International Office Professionals Summit in Auckland
- been one of three finalists in the AAPNZ/Drake Administrative Professional of the Year Award
- attended the 38th AAPNZ Annual General Meeting
- gained AAPNZ Certification
- become the Central Regional Leader
- attended IQPC’s EA/PA Summit and led a half-day MasterClass on Creating Polished and Professional Business Documents; presented a plenary session on PowerPoint and Minute Taking; and joined a panel discussion on delegation. As well as having the opportunity to promote the professionalism of our work, this time I got to stay at the Palazzo Versace which was an amazing experience!
Since becoming involved with disability groups in 1989, I have used my administrative skills to support a number of voluntary organisations. What began as an opportunity to maintain my skills and extend personal networks while I was out of the workforce has become a personal commitment to return something to the community.
In my ‘down time’, I like to focus on my family, walking, knitting and spending time with Dave, my partner of five years. I have raised my four children as a single parent and am now also the proud Nana of three grandchildren.
Last year, I was invited by NEC to conduct a review of the AAPNZ Rules and Guidelines. I thoroughly enjoyed the contact I had with NEC members and feel privileged to have this new opportunity to work with them to promote AAPNZ and to keep our organisation ‘ahead of the times’.
Southern Regional Leader
Lorraine McKeown
My career as an office administrator spans forty two years, twenty three years of which was in a tertiary environment. After a career change and three years of study, I was awarded the Diploma in Adult Teaching in 2006. Since then I have pursued various careers but my passion is motivational speaking, presenting workshops and training adults. I also have my own business as an Educational Consultant.
I joined AAPNZ in October 2002 and have enjoyed the networking, friendships and professional development that being part of this organisation has encouraged. I have been married to Greg for five years and between us we have six children and two grandchildren. With five of the children all now living overseas we seem to spend a great deal of time skypeing, emailing or planning overseas trips. In my free time I love to walk, jog, bike and travel.
South Island Regional Leader, AAPNZ National Executive Committee
(6mths in 2007) and 2010 - 2012
- Christchurch Group President and Professional Development Officer (2004- July 2007)
- Christchurch Group Vice President and Professional Development Officer (2003-2004)
Achievements
- AAPNZ Certification, 2006 - current
- AAPNZ Associate status member, 2008
- AAPNZ Christchurch Group, Member of the Year 2006
- AAPNZ winner of Doreen Smart Scholarship 2006
Administration/Support Officer
Denise McElwain (Dip Bus Admin, AAPNZ Cert)
I work as a Judge's Associate for the Hon Justice Baragwanath at the Court of Appeal in Wellington.
My working career began at the District Court in Dunedin as a court stenographer where I worked for 13 years. I moved from Dunedin to Hamilton with my husband in 1990 and continued working full time as a court stenographer until I had my daughter Victoria in March 1993. I took seven months parental leave and then went back to my old job three days a week until March 1995 when I was appointed a Judges Associate with the Rt Hon Justice Thomas at the Court of Appeal in Wellington.
Since 1995 I have worked for three different Judges both at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. After Justice Thomas retired I worked for Justice Anderson who was President at the Court of Appeal for two years before moving to the Supreme Court. In April 2008 Justice Anderson retired and I began work with Justice Baragwanath.
I joined AAPNZ in May 2006 when I was able to organise satisfactory child care arrangements for my daughter. I also felt that I wanted extra stimulation, the opportunity to network with others, plus further my education. Through AAPNZ I learned about all the wonderful opportunities there were. There was the Diploma in Business Administration which sounded very achievable, and also certification. I managed to achieve both of these within two years of joining. It was through AAPNZ that I also became involved in teaching shorthand to four students.
After being a member of AAPNZ for just over six months, I joined the Group Management Team. I took on the role as membership co-ordinator and more recently meeting co-ordinator. Both roles I have found very enjoyable.
In December 2009 I accepted the role of Admin Support person for NEC. This has also been very enjoyable learning about NEC which previously was something I did not know a great deal about. I am still learning a lot and enjoy the extra challenges it brings into my busy life.
My daughter is now 17 and I live with my partner Trevor who is a Social Worker. We have two cats who are the love of my daughter's life, in addition to her ballet. My other interests are overseas travel, entertaining, book club, theatre and organising events.
National Website Administrator
Faye Partridge (Dip. Bus. Admin, AAPNZ Cert., Fellow, Associate)
I had the honour of being the inaugural Marlborough Group President from November 2003 - May 2006, having firstly joined Nelson Group in June 2000 after reading about AAPNZ in a magazine advertisement. The distance between the two regions prohibited regular attendance at functions, and realising such a group was needed in Marlborough, I set about setting up the Marlborough group, with the support and guidance of Nelson members and leading it to a membership of over 70.
I have served in numerous roles, including:
Marlborough:
- Joined Nelson Group in 2000
- 2002 - 2003 : Blenheim Liaison Officer (under Nelson Group), also carrying out roles of Treasurer, Secretary, Marketing Officer etc whilst in set-up mode
- 2003 - 2006 : President, Marlborough Group
- 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 : APD Team (Co-ordinator in 2003 and 2004)
- 2003, 2004, 2006 : Introductory Presentation Team
- 2004 - 2005 : Newsletter Editor
- 2004 - 2005 : Group Meeting Co-ordinator (shared role)
- 2006 - 2007 : Management Team
- 2008 : Newsletter Editor
- 2008 - Current : Management Team
- 2010 - Current : Co-Newsletter Editor
National Executive Committee (NEC):
- 2004 - 2005 : Minute Secretary
- 2005 - 2007 : Southern Leader
- 2005 - Current : Website Administrator
Awards/Achievements/Qualifications:
- 2003 : Member of the Year (under Nelson group - Marlborough award)
- 2005 : Member of the Year - Marlborough
- 2006 : Associate member
- 2006 : National Diploma in Business Administration
- 2007 : Certificated
- 2011 : Fellow member
I commenced my own business from home in 1982 providing secretarial/office services (latterly including design and printing services) for both the public and business community. Working from home allowed me to be close by for my three sons (all now adults) and also run the business, part-time in the earlier years. In March 2008, after many years in the commercial town environment, I downsized the business and took it back home working in the evenings looking after various clients. During the day I work at a Marlborough funeral home, carrying out administration and graphics work. My formative working years were mostly bank-related, a time I cherish and one which gave me the best introduction to working life I could have hoped for.
I love fishing and the Marlborough Sounds but don't get there often enough. Gardening is another passion with the resulting colour, and the bonus of flowers for picking! Spending time with family and friends is a must, and keeping fit by regular walking and cycling. I love to "give things a go" and conquer challenges.
Being involved with AAPNZ has opened up a plethora of opportunities never before available to me (my current employment came about as a result of attending an AAPNZ function!), and has also increased my network of "associates". Support is never far away, and a big bonus is making some wonderful friends!
National Finance & Membership Officer
Val Sturgess FNZSES AAPNZ (Life)
I was privilege to be conferred with the 4thlife membership of AAPNZ at the AGM gala dinner in Palmerston North on 1 July 2006.
Liz Signal, the then outgoing National President, made the presentation to me, along with AAPNZ founder Doreen Smart’s daughter, Janine Wilsher, and granddaughter, Jane, and fellow life member Valerie Jackson. It was a very special night and a wonderful surprise to say the least!
I started my working life at a public accounting and sharebroking firm in Hawera where my role included completing financial accounts on an old Remington bookkeeping machine, sharebroking clerical work and shorthand/typing. By the time I left 4 ½ years later to marry and move to Masterton, I was supervising six staff.
Since then, with my husband Gary we have lived in many parts of New Zealand and I have held a wide variety of jobs both in the private and public sector. These have included shipping manager/executive secretary at the now defunct Wilson Neill Exports (Dunedin), office manager/liaison officer for the NZ Commercial Travellers and Sales Representatives Union (Christchurch), PA/office administrator for two grain companies (Te Awamutu) and committee secretary at both the Taranaki Regional Council (Stratford) and Hastings District Council (while living in Waipukurau).
I have also been involved with admin and treasury roles on various community committees over the years for organisations such as Save the Children, the Presbyterian Church, AFS Taranaki and the Auckland Down Syndrome Association.
I heard about the then NZ Society of Executive Secretaries Inc (now known as AAPNZ) in Christchurch, but we were about to move to Dunedin so I joined up there in 1985, and gained the NZSES Fellow professional designation in 1996. I was involved in setting the criteria for the original fellow and associate designations and also their recent review. I have been a member of five groups – Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth (now Taranaki), Wanganui and Palmerston North (now Manawatu) – and a past president of both Dunedin and New Plymouth groups. Now a member of the Auckland Group, I have served five years on the Auckland Management Committee holding the sponsorship and AP Day portfolios of which I have run three.