Personal Update
AUTHOR: Judy Turner
With the 08 election well and truly behind us I thought it appropriate to update you with what I am up to.
The election result was naturally very disappointing and I do miss the Parliamentary environment and in particular the positive work ethos that characterises the UnitedFuture offices.
I have regulary watched Question Time on TV and tried not to slump into that very unattractive 'protruding bottom-lip' syndrome.
Peter's reputation as a hard-working and competent Minister has seen him retained by National in both the portfolios that Labour had him in, and I am particularly excited about the additional health responsibilities that the Minister of Health has given him.
Currently I have two small paid jobs and a raft of unpaid ones. I have sedured a 20 week contract to a Maori Trust providing Literacy and Numeracy support for adult students 1 day per week. Secondly I am working 10 hours a week for Peter as an Out-of Parliament-Issues person, and will be working in tandem on a number of projects with Joe Burton who has a similar position with Peter based in Dunedin.
At a community level I am now a Trustee for the BOP Life Education Trust, I am working with a faith-based Men's Drug & Alcohol Residential Centre to get them registered for health funding, I am on two Boards of Reference; one to set up a 'Time Bank' in Whakatane, and the other has been by invitation of our local Mayor, to see if Youth Services in our town can be better co-ordinated.
There are so many fantastic opportunities in every community for folk to get involved with and make a difference and I believe community action characterises our party membership.
Finally I have accepted the position of Party President, stepping into the very big shoes of Denise.
Despite our poor result at the election we are still there, making a difference and making MMP work.
Of course we have some big challenges ahead. All small MMP parties do.
Lets never forget as we move forward that the results of political activism can really make a world of difference in the lives of many of the people we seek to serve at the grassroots in our neighbourhoods.