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THE NEWS How long have you been with the CP Society and what is your job? I have been here for two years as the Accounts Administrator. What do you love about your job? I find satisfaction in performing a variety of financial tasks. I have assisted in preparing financial statements in Xero and also assisted in audits. What’s a successful day at work? I take pleasure in managing accounts payable, receivable, and supplier onboarding processes within the Cerebral Palsy Society. I enjoy assisting in audits and am passionate about improving processes. I am dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. If resources and funds weren’t an issue, what would you like to see our members enjoying? We have been supporting our members in obtaining their driving licenses through the getDriving Programme, and it would greatly benefit our organisation to secure further funding for this initiative. With increased resources and funding, we would have the opportunity to expand our programmes and events, such as school holiday fun days. It was very nice to see our members meeting and connecting at last year’s fun day event. Meet our team Kavita Topiwala Each edition we introduce you to a CPS teammember. Kia ora e te whānau Hōkai Nukurangi, Cerebral Palsy Societymembers. I am honoured to have been supported by my fellow Board members as President and Chair of the CPS Board. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I would first like to acknowledge and thank former President Meg Smith and former Secretary Emma Lovett for their significant and positive contribution to the CPS. Meg has taken the role of Secretary and Emma remains a Board member so their experience and skills will continue to benefit the Society. I also acknowledge my fellow Board members who collectively provide the wide range of expertise and experience required to effectively represent the Society and its members’ interests. I have lived experience with Cerebral Palsy through my 11-year-old daughter India-Rose. Together with my wife, Amy, we have experienced the challenges and successes of helping Indie navigate the complexities and barriers of living with CP and advocating for her needs. This has provided me with the understanding and insight required to help lead the CPS for the benefit of its members. My experience as a practising lawyer for many years and currently leading an Iwi investment company provides me with the skills to effectively support the objectives and operations of the Society. From the Chair I have been a Board member since 2020. During that time, the Board has streamlined and stabilised its investment portfolio. One of our ongoing challenges is to strike the balance between maintaining and growing our investment base and returns, and funding member services. We will continue to try to find the right balance in the face of a growing membership and increasing demand for support from our members. I acknowledge Clare and the CPS team for their work in providing member services, and we are working on ways to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of services which are equitable to the diverse needs of members. One of my goals is to increase our advocacy for our members and the needs of those living with cerebral palsy. Our members have a right to support from central and local government and we will work towards increasing these services. We are also working on increasing our fundraising activities. I want to ensure that the Society is providing the right services to its members and is aware of the institutional challenges members face in their daily lives, so I encourage feedback and suggestions from the members. I look forward to a successful year ahead for the Society and its members. Daniel Clay President/Chair 4 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2024