Grey Power November 2015

6
NATIONAL GREYPOWER MAGAZINE » NOVEMBER 2015
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
A feature for many members in
the recent September magazine
was the Advocacy Report covering
the team’s visit to Parliament to
meet with Government, opposition
parties and other decision makers
to discuss issues raised by our
membership at large.
Many associations
extract some of
the detailed information
presented in the
report and recycle it in
their own newsletters.
Due to the depth of the
report it is great to receive
good feedback and congratulations
from around
the country.
Some members have
asked for background on
Advocacy visits and how
they work.
Unlike earlier Advocacy
visits to Parliament, since
the Modernisation Plan
was adopted three years
ago by the AGM, visits are
carefully structured to obtain
maximum benefit for
our members.
Firstly, the advocacy
chair contacts the national
advisory group chairs, peruses
correspondence to
the board and considers
remits passed at AGMs,
especially regarding election
strategy, to ensure that
relevant issues are presented
to Wellington decision
makers.
Secondly most issues
are researched to provide
the team with background
information and also to
supply decision makers
with a position paper which
sets out Grey Power policy
and recommendations in
relation to specific issues.
Then appointments, to
discuss the matters raised
by members, are made
with the decision makers
who, in most cases, require
notification of topics to be
covered during the visit.
And finally following the
visit the advocacy report is
written. The core Advocacy
team consists of national
president, Terry King; Advocacy
chair Jan Pentecost;
Research chair Pete Matcham,
and Election Strategy
chair Miles Jackson.
This core group is supported
by advice from the
respective National Advisory
Group chairpersons,
who have expertise in areas
such as superannuation,
local bodies and housing,
health, retirement villages,
social services and more.
Over the years Grey
Power Federation has had
some major successes with
its advocacy, but more important
is the fact the wide
range of issues raised on
behalf of our membership
Terry King
have been acknowledged
at ministerial level, by government
officials, and opposition
members.
Guest speaker at the
upcoming November Federation
board meeting is
the Hon Maggie Barry,
Minister for Senior Citizens
who is readily available to
represent Grey Power interests
at a Parliamentary
level, and also provides
assistance to the Advocacy
team when it visits Wellington.
Minister Barry has also
taken time out from a busy
schedule to address some
This is the last
magazine for
the year and
although as
you read it
the timing is
probably late
November,
I would like
to take the
opportunity to
extend Season’s
Greetings
to everyone
and hope the
Christmas
period is a time
of enjoyment
for all,
wherever you
may be
of our associations.
Although Grey Power is
an apolitical organisation
we have provided public
support in cases where a
political party’s policies
line up with our own.
This year we supported
the NZ First private members’
Bill on Health, and
more recently the Greens’
private members’ Bill titled
Fair Go for Solar Power.
This year from an administration
perspective, I
am pleased to report all our
policies are up-to-date.
This is important because
through 2016 all
political parties will be finalising
their policies in
readiness for the 2017 General
Election.
Next year in particular
our challenge is to encourage
all parties to seriously
consider our policies which
are designed to assist the
welfare and wellbeing of
the older person.
Another administration
matter which is vital to the
Federation is the updating
of all our manuals and a
sign-off by the Federation
board.
This is the last magazine
for the year and although
as you read it the timing is
probably late November, I
would like to take the opportunity
to extend Season’s
Greetings to everyone
and hope the Christmas
period is a time of enjoyment
for all, wherever you
may be.
Once again, on behalf
of the Federation board
our special thanks to all
the associations and their
volunteers who are the
strength of the Grey Power
organisation, because they
share their concerns and
issues enabling us to lobby
Government for a fair and
equitable outcome for the
older person.
TERRY KING
President
$2,000 AD&D
All members of Grey Power are now
covered by a $2,000 Accidental
Death & Dismemberment Benefit
provided through American Income
Life Insurance Company. This is an
automatic membership benefit of
belonging to Grey Power.
If you have not already done so,
please complete and return the
enclosed card or reply online at
ailnz.co.nz/request to have an AIL
representative deliver your certificate
of coverage and explain additional
insurance coverage available.
www.ailife.com
Protecting Working Families
AMERICAN INCOME LIFE
insurance company
freephone 0800 894 121
mario@ailnz.co.nz
A.M. Best, one of the oldest and most respected insurance ratings companies, has rated American Income Life as A+ (Superior) for overall Financial Strength (as of 6/15).
AIL is currently looking for new representatives to service association members, send CV to hireme@ailnz.co.nz