Mardi Gras returns to co-chairs
New Mardi Gras has returned to a co-chair model, with Steph Sands and Nick Parker last night elected to head the organisation.
It will be the first time the organisation has had co-chair lines since 2005.
Parker previously served on the board of NMG in 2003 and 2004.
Prior to being re-elected at this year’s Annual General Meeting he said, “I would like to see our core events strengthened and more new events evolve. He also highlighted concern over “attracting and developing young, talented volunteers to the working groups and the board, especially women.
“I would like to see a much more concerted effort to achieve this via the establishment of a permanent nominations and governance committee given the responsibility to identify and nurture potential new talent, mentoring them and developing a stronger pool of board candidates for the future.”
Sands was a member of the NMG ‘phoenix board’ in 2002 before taking on the role of co-chair between 2003 – 05.
She received wide praise after this year’s AGM after finally admitting that NMG had made a mistake in its handling of the parade and party split.
Prior to her re-election, Sands said that, “with the different format of the 2010 season, I believe that what NMG needs right now is consistency and knowledge. In addition I feel it is important that female voices remain on the board moving forward in order to ensure a broad representation of all our communities.
“It is a very exciting time for NMG right now. The organisation that was established in 2002-2003 has evolved into a sophisticated company
which is now generating good profit and increased Brand value, and this is what was required for the organisation to become stable and
sustainable. However with this emphasis on stability, I believe that two core areas have been neglected: that of our members and also
community.
“I would like to work towards giving our members the opportunity of a great voice in our organisation, and for Mardi Gras to strengthen our relationships with the other organisations in our community.
“I would also like to see Mardi Gras retain that political edginess that it once possessed in the 90’s. The witty way in which it presented real issues and helped solve real problems.
“In a nutshell, I want to see NMG move forward with our members into being a strong and political Community voice and organisation that
represents all our collective communities.”
I dont understand, we are all quick to winge and carry on and scream for change like babies, but when we get that change, we still carry on with our doubts and negative attitudes.
Good on you Gay Sydney! youre doing well! (sarcastic tone).
Does it really matte who heads the NMG board? whoever it is needs to focus on improving the actual parade. whilst I appreciate alot of community groups march in the parade and funds for floats are limited to non existant there are alot of groups & individuals who participate and the floats they enter are down right rubbish. The whole parade has become visually unattractive and many people I know dont other watching it anymore. It is now a parade watched by fresh out of the closet teens, tourist and worst of all we are a vulgar spectical for the straight community to gawk at.
Unless this event returns to the theme of gay rights, with due respect to its origins, it will continue to fade!
Mike,
I am assuming that as the organisation has burnt its bridges with you that you have cancelled your membership.
If you haven’t, then why don’t you stop sniping from the sidelines and offer to help?
“A strong and political voice?” Funny, at the AGM it was clear the NMG board felt it was about a parade and party and had little to do with politics. Yes more spin. Surprise?!
As for other relationships: there are only so many times that you can burn your bridges….