2009 Annual Report - People Living with HIV/AIDS South Australia

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community consultation, participation, surveys, questionnaires and peer networking opportunities, which enabled programs that not only built the capacity and resilience of the positive community, but also increased the collective expertise of the organisation and its skills and knowledge base. At PLWHA- SA our social inclusion activities and events again remained highly valued and well attended for this reporting period. Complemented with the Friday Peer Networking Lunches, Community Forums, Alternative Therapies Clinic, the HIVE and bimonthly newsletter “Positively Talking” there continued to be a hub of activity. The Board commitment remained strong with governance training well attended and an increase in the activity of both the Advocacy and Fundraising Portfolios. The Positive Speakers Bureau (PSB) addressed a diverse audience of around 1000 participants from a range of locations and successfully launched their own Positive Speaker Handbook for Speakers. In June 2009 PLWHA- SA facilitated a HIV sector forum informing the community of the changes to be implemented under the provision of HIV and Hepatitis C non Government programs. Each agency had the opportunity to describe the new model of programs. PLWHA- SA remains committed to remaining a peer driven community based organisation that will provide high quality, evidence based, Health Promotion Programs for people living with HIV/ AIDS. In July 2009 this long and successful history and direct experience as a community based organisation resulted in PLWHA- SA being the successful respondent for the “South Australian Health Promotion program for People with HIV.” We will move into a 3 year service agreement with SA Health and the implementation of our new work across a 5 Year Strategic Plan. We will continue to play a key leadership role in advocacy, health promotion and education to ensure there is a successful and improved coordination of care for people with HIV/AIDS. Under the broader Health Reform agenda, PLWHA- SA will play a key role in creating and fostering linkages that will enable relevant communities of interest and related mainstream agencies to develop an understanding and capacity to meet the needs of people living with HIV (plhiv). This will require a good understanding of the complexities and layers underlying any negative stigma and discrimination based on HIV status experienced in any social welfare, health care, educational or workplace setting. We will work closely with SA Health to identify and address any policy or service gaps that may impact on people with HIV across SA and will continue to work in partnership across the HIV sector and broader communities as we value add to the organisation, its reach and relevance. We remain committed to our shared vision, values, ethics and principles, which we will implement under the new slogan, Positive: Powerful: Proactive. Partnerships The National organisation for People Living with HIV is NAPWA and five of our community attended the NAPWA Leadership Weekend for emerging leaders in the community and had opportunities to network with PLWHA organisations from around Australia. Later in the year NAPWA celebrated their 20 year anniversary and I had the privilege of speaking at this event along with the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby. PLWHA- SA continued to strengthen our partnership with our peak national body NAPWA and would like to acknowledge the launch of their Criminalisation Monograph, the extensive work involved in putting this document together and the value this document will bring to all our future work at a state and national level. While a very new page in our organisational history begins, I respectfully acknowledge the valuable contributions that each member, client, staff member, board member, volunteer and supporter has made in shaping and influencing the incredible organisation that PLWHA- SA is today. Katherine Leane Vice President 6
Since the last Annual Report there has been steady growth within the organisation of PLWHA - SA. We have managed to maintain our focus of providing a high standard of service delivery and, guided by our mission “to improve the quality of life for all people living with or closely affected by HIV/AIDS,” we support a collaborative work approach between the Board and Staff. This has been achieved through attending sector wide meetings and representation on various committees such as World Aids Day/AIDS Awareness Week, Red Ribbon/Bobby Goldsmith Fund and the AIDS Council of SA Board. Strong attendances at numerous sector social activities and events such as the Feast Opening, Picnic in the Park, and the Sleaze Ball. The strength of having a community elected Board has meant a diverse representation on the Board at all times and has ensured that all HIV Positive people are represented and have a voice. PLWHA- SA will continue to be guided by our organisational vision of “Opportunity Equity and Acceptance”. Board Meeting attendance for the past year has been excellent, with most members attending every meeting as well as forums, training days and workshops. Board Members have contributed approximately 40 hours each of their time in attending monthly Board Meetings, where we saw 250 pieces of correspondence, passed 120 resolutions, read and analysed staff reports and the Treasurer’s report. The Board also ratified 20 new membership applications. The business of PLWHA-SA such as reading and preparing documents and policies, record keeping, facilitating meetings, Forums and AGMs, are all attended to by volunteers who are, generally, HIV Positive people. There have been many changes and challenges over the 14 years that PLWHA-SA has been representing and advocating on behalf of Positive People. We have come a long way and survived because people have volunteered and dedicated their time and effort to our Organisation. In partnership, the Manager and the Management team have done an excellent job balancing the diverse needs of our Organisation, within the new funding framework, in meeting the needs of our clients and members, whilst complying with ever increasing Government regulations within a safe workplace. As with many community based organisations our achievements would not be possible without the invaluable commitment and drive of our dedicated volunteers. I want to thank everyone who participates for all your ongoing support and achievements. John Clissold Secretary BOARD MEETING ATTENDANCE 2008-2009 Tony Minge President 9 From 10 Meetings Kath Leane Vice-President 10 From 10 Meetings Kym Eve Treasurer 5 From 10 Meetings Joe Fisi Secretary Term expired AGM 08 Dave Larrett Board member 9 From 10 Meetings Robyn Gilligan Board member 5 From 10 Meetings John Clissold Board member 7 From 10 Meetings Matthew Turnbull Board Member 9 From 10 Meetings Andrew Lohmeyer Board member 5 From 10 Meetings Kristin Elliott Board member 8 From 10 Meetings David Vermeeren Board Member 5 From 6 Meetings Mark Stephens Board member 5 From 6 Meetings Dennis Martin Board member Term expired AGM 08 7
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2009 Annual Report - People Living with HIV/AIDS South Australia

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