It is with great pleasure that the Boards of The Stroke
Foundation of New Zealand (SFNZ) and Stroke Central New
Zealand can now announce that they have signed the
Implementation Deed – the legal document which sets out
the process we will follow over the next two months to
enable the smooth transition to one national
organisation.
Transition date
We are working
towards an anticipated transition date of 1 July 2023, from
which point forward our two organisations will operate as
one, under the existing structure of SFNZ. From 1 July
Stroke Central will cease operating and its people, services
and assets will transfer to SFNZ. Once this has occurred and
all compliance aspects have been completed, Stroke Central
will be wound up. Our purpose As we work towards this
milestone it is important to remind ourselves of our common
purpose – to prevent strokes, improve outcomes and save
lives. In uniting our organisations, we will have a stronger
national voice to advocate for the stroke affected community
of New Zealand, while ensuring consistent, evidence-based,
quality services are delivered no matter where someone
lives.
The Transition Co-Governance Group This group
of representatives from both organisations has been created
to oversee the transition process. It includes John Gommans
(Chair of SFNZ) and Robin Boldarin (President of Stroke
Central) and two further representatives from each Board;
Catherine Epps and Derek McCormack from SFNZ, and Michele
Halford and Tony Biss from Stroke Central.
The
oversight role of the Transition Co-Governance group will
continue after 1 July, to support and monitor the seamless
transfer and delivery of services within Central region.
Reporting to this CoGovernance Group are the respective CEOs
of Stroke Central and SFNZ. Central Region after 1 July From
1 July, Stroke Central will become the Central Region of
SFNZ, with David Halford (the current interim CEO of Stroke
Central) becoming the new General Manager for Central
Region, alongside his colleagues in the Northern, Midland
and Southern regions. His role is part of the National
Leadership Team of SFNZ, and has budgetary and delivery
responsibilities for all services in the Central Region.
David has kindly agreed to extend his tenure to assist with
the smooth transition of Stroke Central’s services to
SFNZ. David will report to Jo Lambert, who will be
continuing in her role as CEO of SFNZ.
Stroke Central
Staff Over the last few months there have been regular
meetings with the Stroke Central team and all staff that
wish to transfer to SFNZ will be able to do so. Their
employment with Stroke Central will cease on 30th June, and
they will join SFNZ as new employees on 1 July. The team is
excited about the prospect of joining SFNZ and becoming part
of an 80-strong national team across the country delivering
much needed support to the stroke affected community of New
Zealand.
What will
Change
You may not notice many changes straight
away, though behind the scenes there will be immediate
improvements to technology and back-office support systems
for the Stroke Central team. All of these are designed to
help us do more for more people by working smarter not
harder, and the Stroke Central team will be receiving
comprehensive training in June, in readiness for the
transition to SFNZ.
Our goal will always be to
provide the same high standard of support that the Central
region has enjoyed for many years, alongside new health
promotion, stroke prevention and life after stroke services,
(including free blood pressure checks, educational
resources, and online and in-person support for stroke
survivors and their
whānau).
Financial
implications
Importantly, donations and grants
received specifically for the region will continue to
benefit the people in Central region. In addition, SFNZ’s
Fundraising team will be implementing a fundraising
programme to increase financial support through grants,
trusts, philanthropy, sponsorships and individual
giving.
Stroke Clubs and
Members
We really value the energy and
enthusiasm that Stroke Central’s members and volunteers
have put into supporting the organisation over the years.
While the Stroke Foundation’s constitution is not based on
a membership model, there will be ways for Stroke
Central’s members to be involved as part of our supporter
family – and affiliated stroke clubs – to help stroke
survivors and their whānau across the lower North Island.
In the same way that SFNZ has always supported Stroke Clubs
across the country, we will continue to do so in the Central
region. There are a range of options available to support
the ongoing viability of these important community support
networks, from very light touch to direct affiliation. We
look forward to engaging with Central region’s membership
to work through the option that is preferred for clubs in
each location.
We will update you
with more information, as it becomes available. If you have
any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with
Stroke Foundation CEO Jo Lambert at jo.lambert@stroke.org.nz
or with David Halford, Interim CEO at Stroke Central at
davidhalford@strokecentral.org.nz Nga mihi nui John Gommans
and Robin Boldarin Transition Co-Governance Group Stroke
Foundation of New Zealand PO Box 12-482, Thorndon,
Wellington 6144
www.stroke.org.nz
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