RNZFB announces new Chairman of the Board

Media release
1 July 2003
For immediate release

RNZFB announces new Chairman of the Board

It is with genuine regret that the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) farewells Jonathan Mosen from his role as Chair of the RNZFB’s Board of Directors.

Mr Mosen announced his resignation to the Board and staff last week after joining Pulse Data International Limited as the international product marketing manager for the BrailleNote family of products.

He says, “After considering the travel associated with this new role, and my family, I decided it would be impractical for me to continue as Chairman of the Foundation.”

Acting Chief Executive Paula Daye praised Mr Mosen’s contribution to the RNZFB as a Director and Chairman over the last several years.

Mrs Daye says, “Jonathan Mosen has shown enormous commitment to the Foundation and its members during his time as Chairman of the Board, particularly during the governance reform and transition from the old organisation to the new.

“The Board and staff are sad that Jonathan is leaving us, but understand and respect his decision to further his career. We all wish him well in his future endeavours,” says Mrs Daye.

Sunday’s Board meeting saw former deputy chair Don McKenzie elected as the new chairman and Geoff Gibbs elected as deputy chair.

Mr McKenzie has over 50 years active involvement with the Foundation, including serving as Chairman from 1980 – 1992. In 1981, Mr McKenzie was awarded an OBE for services to physiotherapy and the blind.

Geoff Gibbs served as CEO of the Foundation from 1977 – 1997 and is currently an international consultant in the field of blindness and Treasurer of the World Blind Union. Mr Gibbs’ services to the rehabilitation of blind people saw him awarded with an NZOM in 1999 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000.

As incoming chairman, Mr McKenzie sees challenges ahead of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

He points out: “The Foundation’s services are largely funded through the charity dollar. Already we provide services for 12,500 blind and vision impaired people and as the population ages and diseases such as diabetes take their toll, we face the prospect of increasing numbers of people who will need our services.”

Mr McKenzie and Mr Gibbs will serve as Chairman and deputy Chair until the next RNZFB Annual General Meeting in October 2004.

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