Welcome to the new Executive Committee of DCOSS voted in at the AGM 21st October 2008

Chairperson - Ruth Houghton (served 2 years on Committee)

Ruth was voted on as chairperson of DCOSS last year.  She is associated with various social service groups including Presbyterian Support Otago, Corpac Trust and Dunedin City Civil Defence.

Deputy Chair - Derek King (served 2 years on Committee) Cargill Enterprises

Derek is the General Manager for Cargill Enterprises, which is the Trading arm of the Disabled Citizens Society (Otago) Inc.  Derek is also with the Dunedin Central Rotary Club and has been involved with fund raising events for numerous Dunedin and Otago not for profit organisations.  He has also had long term involvement with Voluntary Sports Medicine in Dunedin since 1992.  Before joining Cargill Enterprises, he was the Branch Manager for Corporate Express NZ. 

Treasurer - David Fleming (served 2 years on Committee)

David served for 7 years as a Trustee and Treasurer on the Board of North Taieri School.  North Taieri developed an outstanding reputaiton for catering for special needs students.  During this time he was also involved with the operation and governance of the Whanau Centre, a government funded project catering for the after school care and learning assistance to local children.  David holds a B.Com from Otago and was employed by Westpac New Zealand as a Financial Advisor.

Malcolm Cameron (served 2 years on Committee) Malcam Trust

The founder of the Malcam Charitable Trust, Malcolm has been working with the young people of Dunedin and Otago for the past 20 years.  Through many iniatives such as NZ Conservation Corp, Youth Service Corp, Choice, Logan Park Services Academy and 4Trades Apprenticeships, the influence and ethos of the Malcam Trust has enabled young folk to find their feet, find the right path and begin the journey to adulthood as contributing members of their community.

Ricky Carr (new to Committee) - Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women's Refuge

Ricky has extensive experience in commercial real estate, the Regional Health Authority, the Ministry of Scoial Development, Family and Community Services and Housing New Zealand Corporation as the Regional Advisor.  Furthermore he is a partner in a small company that specialises in the NGO sector providing services to health and social agencies seeking expert advice.  Ricky is a former board member of the New Zealand Institute of Managment and currently holds the chair of both Basketball Otago and the Wakatipu Abuse Prevention Services based in Queenstown.  His background demonstrates a diverse range of experiences which will enable him to engage in an objecitve way.  He looks forward to assisting COSS Dunedin with the many challenges that face us all in the realms of social service provision.

Karen Clements (served 1 year on Committee)

Karen took on the role of Area Manager for Red Cross Dunedin inlcuding Waitaki and Clutha Districts in September 2007.  Her role includes managing Red Cross Core Services, i.e. Emergency Response Team, Breakfast in Schools, Youth programmes, Hospital Transport Services as well as Fundraising and Marketing.  Karen has a stong interest and passion for humanitarian issues.

Jim Crowe (served 22 years on Committee)

Jim has been involved with COSS Dunedin almost since its inception.  To Jim it is the one community organisaiton which is APolitical, meaning it can take a neutral stand when issues challenge our local community.  In today's society it is so important to have such an organisation which can bring the community together.  It is Jim's firm belief that community partnership is one way to cause positive change by combining the community organisations as that one voice.  This can not happen because one thinks it should, therefore, his hope is to be able to continue this endeavour.  It is Jim's belief we can make a difference and create a better furture for our Dunedin Community.

Paul Hooper (new to Committee) Presbyterian Support Otago

Paul has been working in the social service sector for four years as the Director of Family and Community Services at Presbyterian Support Otago.  Prior to this he worked in the Disability Sector with the Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind for 15 years..

David Horne

David has a wide range of community interests and holds a number of positions with a variety of organisations including: Carers' Otago, NZEI, Dunedin Community Language Association.

Nick Orbell (served 3 years on Committee)

Nick Orbell has been involved in the not for profit sector for 30 years, mostly involved in supporting lifelong learning.  Nick has a long-standing commitment to working collaboratively to build a stronger community and sense of social inclusion, and has been active in a number of local community networks.

Barbara Payton (new to Committee) - Otago Youth Wellness Trust

Barbara has worked for thirty years in the health, welfare and education sectors and has developed experience in a variety of fields within different organisational frameworks.  She has 10 years of managing a not-for-profit organisation and experienced the funding and organisational challenges faced by the community sector.

Pam Shepherd (new to Committee) Methodist Mission

Pam currently is the Community and Social Servcies Manager at the Methodist Misison.  She has seventeen years experience wrking in the community sector.  She also has experience at a governance level with Supporting Families in Mental Health and Tutei o te Hau a Kiwa in the Bay of Plenty.

Appointed members of the Executive are:

Mayor's Representative

Kate Wilson

Ministry of Social Development and Employment Representative

John Allen, Director

Tangata Whenua Representative

Hine Forsyth