minutes of the annual meeting held from may 9-11, 2008 - Amnesty ...

Page 4 of 17Friday 9 th May (Evening)Team Registration, Meet & Greet, Team PreparationNATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM Q & A SESSIONThe National Leadership Team answered questions from members[Transcript of questions/answers attached as Appendix 1]Saturday 10 th MayFormal OpeningOPENING PRESENTATIONThe meeting opened promptly at 8:45am.Tu Williams welcomed the meeting in Maori, in the form of a mihi whakatau.The Amnesty Candle was lit by Mary GrayNicola Mutch welcomed everyone, introduced herself and proposed that the Meeting elect Julianne Leggott asChair and Joanne Looyen as Deputy Chair.ELECTION OF CHAIRFORMAL DECISION 1: That the Annual Meeting elect Julianne Leggott as its Chairperson, and Joanne Looyen asDeputy Chair.WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONSJulianne Leggott introduced herself and welcomed delegates and all other participants.Proposed: Nicola MutchSeconded: Gary WareChairing Team elected by consensus.This is the year –in which we mark the 60 th Anniversary of the signing of the UDHR, yet Guantanamo Bay stillremains open. This is also the year that NZ signed a groundbreaking Free Trade Agreement with China, and inwhich the Olympics will be held in Beijing. It is also an election year in NZ.Welcomed Special guests – Terry Hicks, Mary Gray who will both speak laterJulianne expressed a wish that attendees should, at the end of the meeting, feel better equipped to be HRactivists and first time attendees should be challenged and inspired.There are a range of activities, speakers, and guests planned to expand our knowledge and understanding ofHuman Rights issues.The Chair’s role is to guide through meeting, deal with procedural issues, and balance any competingrequirements (e.g. time constraints).Joanne Looyen introduced herself and explained her role.Joanne’s role is to support the Chair, to encourage attendees to keep to time, to support the minute taker andBOFs and to be the”Chair elect in waiting”.Linda Worner gave housekeeping announcements.