Local women, local elections

The new Christchurch women’s group had its second meeting late in January, with the inspirational and very informative speaker Judy McGregor – Equal Opportunity Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission (Judy is the lady who was responsible for Dame Helen Clark’s media education early on in her career) talking on Women in Positions of Power with a particular focus on Local Body Elections (held in October 2010).

The information she gave was invaluable to those in the audience who plan to run in the local body elections as well as to those who want to know what they can do to help along the way in the upcoming elections.

We discussed what candidates need to get prepared, like the Candidate Handbook blurb, Candidate photo and told us all how important it is to invest in a very good quality photo for this, after all most people (as sad as the case is) tend to make their decision on their candidate on how they look and how professional their appearance is.  

How important it is to have a “thing” that you stand for so that you can take those issues and run with them at local events, and she said it was surprising just how many people run for council but don’t have anything that they stand for. It doesn’t have to be a big thing either, as a lady from Selwyn area stood for a swimming pool in the area (and that was the only thing she stood for) got a whole heap of attention and then got elected, some voted for her stance on the pool others because her name was so strongly out there in the lead up to the election.

For those who were not so interested in running for council were also treated to a wealth of information on women in positions of power from the last Census (we were all given a booklet on information) as well as information on how to support our Labour women that will be running for council.

This fantastic speaker was just the first in our Red Hearts “Local Body Election” series, each month leading up to the election we will have guest speakers each with a different view on the local body elections and campaigns. Next month (Feb 17th 6pm onwards at Filadelfio’s Pizza 150 Colombo Street Beckenham) we have the fabulous and energetic Karena Brown from Labours Women’s Council giving a talk on what the women’s council is and what it can do for us and vis versa.  

We all look forward to seeing you there for a great time over drinks and nibbles. All interested women are welcome to come along and join us. We provide delicious platters for a small gold coin donation (all money goes towards food for meetings). If you would like to come along then please contact Jasmin for more information jasmin.teague at gmail.com or 021551915