Vote Vanisa, Volunteer of the Year

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YWCA of Wellington Hutt Valley

Tuesday 27 April 2010

Vote Vanisa, Volunteer of the Year

Last weekend, Kilbirnie resident Vanisa Dhiru was voted in as the youngest president of the YWCA for the Wellington region.

Now she is seeking votes to Intrepid Travel’s National Volunteer of the Year. Nominated for her dedication and commitment to empowering young women’s leadership, Vanisa voluntarily helped create the YWCA Discover™ programme, an 18 month leadership mentoring programme for Year 12/13 students. Her passion for leadership development stems from her personal leadership journey.

“Five years ago, I saw an ad in a newsletter calling for young women to apply for a volunteer position on a governance board. I had never heard of the YWCA, didn’t know what governance was or what I was meant to do if I got the role. Now, as the first young women president in the capital, I have the chance to really make a difference by empowering our young women to create a safe and secure community in the Wellington regions” says Vanisa.

The overall winner of the award will receive $5,000 volunteer holiday and $10,000 of advertising for their charity.

“Advertising is a critical part of our strategy this year at the YWCA. Last year, we delivered pilot progammes for Discover and for Encore, an after breast cancer recovery programme. The results and evaluation are great – young women now in the community armed with confidence and skills, breast cancer survivors more flexible and connected with others. The YWCA needs to celebrate our success and share with other local women – it’s high time to tell Wellingtonians about our great programmes.”

Vanisa was one of three finalists for Young New Zealander of the Year this year, recognised for her extensive voluntary work including: working with women in slums in Chennai and orphans in Bangalore; volunteering on the Trade Aid and Dress for Success Wellington boards; and becoming a Justice of the Peace.

Described as a volunteer extremist at 29 years, Vanisa is a New Zealand born Indian with a background in marketing and communications and an honours degree in Design. A gifted, skilled and action-driven person, focused on women's development in the non-profit sector.

Vote for Vanisa and other candidates at www.nzvolunteerawards.co.nz. Voting closes for the Intrepid National Volunteer of the Year on 10 May, winners announced June 9 in Auckland.

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