News from GANZ

I’m writing on behalf of the GANZ Council to let the membership know of some changes to the leadership of GANZ.

Sadly, both Leila Davis and Elizabeth Denton have decided to step down from their positions on Council. On behalf of the GANZ membership and the Council, I want to thank them both and express appreciation of all they have done and given. For the past 16 months, since the Canberra conference, Leila has served as President. During her term she has very generously give of her time and energy, working to support GANZ in this period of transition. She was also on council prior to her becoming President and was instrumental in the planning of the Brisbane Conference. Her decision to resign comes on the back of several personal and professional challenges.

At the Canberra conference, Liz took on the challenge of the newly created Vice-President’s role, having already served several terms. Since that time she has worked tirelessly to improve GANZ’s communication strategies, emphasised building value to members, worked to strengthen the constitution and internal policies and procedures, and has likewise given generously of her time and energy.

We understand that both Liz and Leila have not made this decision lightly, and along with the rest of council, want to wish them all the best.

In seeking a way forward, council members felt it important to find a balance between the need to fill the executive positions, while allowing time and space to find a solution that is considered and sustainable going forward. To that end, at our monthly council meeting in February, we agreed that I would step into the role of President. Our constitution allows us to nominate and elect from the existing council. While this is the most expedient solution, this is an interim arrangement, with the plan over the next few months to look at how we might fill the roles of President and Vice-President by the AGM in mid to late 2018.

As a council, we will continue to update you on our plans but more importantly, want to find ways of engaging the community in this important process. Part of this process will be to look at ways of making the AGM as accessible as possible. We hope to finalise a date for the 2018 AGM in the next month. In the meantime, we want to invite you to think about whether you might be interested in stepping into the leadership of GANZ… and while that might not be to the role of President, there are many other ways in which to participate in Council. Please let us know if you are interested.

I take great comfort from those who remain on council: their wealth of experience their commitment to GANZ, and an energy for working together and on behalf of GANZ’s members. So over the next few months, we will re-group and look at how to best support GANZ’s on ongoing development.

While the leadership issue is pressing, there are other matters we will turn our attention to in the coming months. Of these there are several that stand out.
• To support the committee currently working on the planning of the 2019 Gathering. This will be an important event for the new and developing GANZ.
• To continue to consult with members about the structure of the new GANZ
• To work with Training Centres to support professional development opportunities for our members while also looking at how we might extend the training opportunities
• To support the Journal and ongoing cultivation of writers within our Gestalt community.

In closing, I want to thank are continuing members of Council – Barbara, Leonie, Madeleine, Jelena, Eric and Anthony. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you all.

Leanne O’Shea
Interim President
On behalf of the GANZ Council