Positive Life NSW

This is an archived copy of a Positive Life NSW newsletter. To subscribe to our newsletters, click here.

We hope everyone enjoyed the extended Mardi Gras season! Positive Life had an active presence with a stall at Fair Day, the Sero Disco 3 dinner forum and the Recharge Lounge at Mardi Gras.

In this issue of Life.mail, we have a number of opportunities for you to get involved and have your voice heard, including:

• Expressions of interest for the Positive Life Board
• BGF information sessions on its client service changes
• Focus groups on access to insurance, access to healthcare services and recent campaign work
• A study on the care networks of older gay and lesbians

We also encourage you to visit the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre website at www.halc.org.au. The site has recently been updated and is now easier to navigate.

Positive Life Board expressions of interest

Dear Positive Life Members,

At the Special General Meeting on Thursday, 11 February, I said that the Board of Positive Life NSW would call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the position of Secretary to the Board as I was elected President and the Secretary's position had thus become vacant. I am now calling for an EOI for Secretary from Positive Life Full or Distinguished Members.

I would like to also call for an EOI for the position of Ordinary Director. If a Board member submits an EOI and we believe that that person is the most appropriate person to co-opt as Secretary then we would need to call for another EOI for Ordinary Director. This will take more time and I would like a full working Board as soon as practical.

If we fill the position of Secretary from outside the Board, then all positions will be filled. On the other hand, if we find the best applicant from within the Board, then we would be able to fill the position of Ordinary Director.

This year is a significant one for the Positive Life Board as we have much work to do, particularly the creation of our new Strategic Plan and Rule Changes to comply with changes arising from the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW).

Please note below the skills we are seeking. We will make sure that training is available to assist people who have not had experience.

As well as a skilled Board, we want to make sure that the Board of Positive Life better reflects the spectrum of people with HIV across NSW. That includes women with HIV; gay, heterosexual and bisexual men; trans men and women; people who live in regional or rural NSW and people with HIV from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or culturally diverse backgrounds.

SKILLS REQUIRED

SECRETARY

As Secretary, you will also be part of the Administration Committee and the following skills are required:

• A knowledge of governance, budgeting and finance and a willingness to be part of Board training.
• Ensuring accurate minute taking of Board activities and decisions.
• Approval of membership applications.
• Ensuring that Positive Life NSW meets statutory reporting requirements in accordance with relevant legislation and funding contracts.
• Making sure that official records (including membership) of the organisation are up to date, accurate and meets privacy standards.

ORDINARY DIRECTOR

As Ordinary Director the following skills are required:

• A commitment to the organisation's values and objectives and to the interests of people with HIV, their partners and families.
• A willingness to assist the Board to ensure that the organisation is operating efficiently, effectively, appropriately and legally in achieving its mission and goals.
• Attend Board meetings and other events.
• Participate in discussions, decision making and committees as appropriate.
• Meet all fiduciary duties and responsibilities.

If you want more information about submitting an EOI for either position, please email president@positivelife.org.au with your contact number and I will call you.

To submit an EOI for either of these positions, please send your EOI by email outlining your skills, experience and interests to Harry Richardson at: harryr@positivelife.org.au by Monday, 22 March.

If you don't have access to email, you can post your reply to Positive Life, Box 831, Darlinghurst 1300. We have mailed this letter to members without email addresses.

Regards,
Malcolm Leech
President, Positive Life

BGF information sessions

The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is holding information sessions to discuss its client service changes. These community sessions offer you a chance to get more information and ask questions.

Please RSVP on 02 9283 8666 or 1800 651 011.

Insurance and HIV

Positive Life NSW wants to talk with you about your insurance priorities and any difficulties you may have experienced when trying to get insurance.

If you are interested in or currently have private health, life, travel, income protection or workers’ compensation (small business) insurance, we would like to hear about your experiences with insurers.

Please email lancef@positivelife.org.au or call 02 9361 6011 to register your interest or to provide confidential feedback. You can also take our online poll at www.positivelife.org.au

Care network study for gay and lesbian seniors

The University of Queensland is funding a research project* about the diversity of the care networks of gay and lesbian people aged 60 and over, and how care providers respond to your sexual identity. This valuable study will help inform community agencies and aged care providers about issues important to your aged care and may be used for systemic advocacy.

Who: Gay and lesbian people aged ≥60 and their paid/unpaid carers (partners, family, friends)

What: An interview lasting approximately 1 hour for gay/lesbian older people and their primary carers or 20–30 minutes for other people involved in your care.

When: Researchers will arrange a time convenient for you and your carer(s). Interviews may be conducted by phone.

Contact: Mark Hughes T: 0405 386 976, E: m.hughes5@uq.edu.au or Sue Kentlyn T: 07 3379 7273, E: dryad@internode.on.net

Your confidentiality is guaranteed. Participation is voluntary and you can change your mind about participating at any time.

The results will include de-identified information and will be published for community agencies, aged care provides, journal articles and conference presentations to be advised.

*This project has been approved by the University of Queensland Ethics Committee.

Finding the right services

Positive Life NSW wants to help improve access to healthcare services for people with HIV and you can help us by telling us about your experiences.

If you are living with HIV and other health issues and have had problems finding or using services this is your chance to tell us about it. We also want to hear from people who have had success in accessing services.

We will be holding small discussion groups and face-to-face meetings in the coming weeks. Please email lancef@positivelife.org.au or call 02 9361 6011 to register your interest or to provide confidential feedback.

Are you interested?

Positive Life is running two small focus groups to get some feedback on one of our recent advertisements and magazines. The groups are run by an independent facilitator. He will ask a series of questions to find out what you think of the ads and some other resources.
 
Who: HIV negative and HIV positive gay men

When: 16 & 17 March, 6-7.30pm

Where: Level 1, Suite 5, 94 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Contact: Kathy on 02 9361 6011 or kathyt@positivelife.org.au  

Focus group participants will be remunerated for their time. 

Talkabout

Articles from the latest edition of Talkabout are now available online.

Talkabout is looking for people to share their stories. You don’t need any writing experience, just a willingness to tell your story. We can help you do the rest. Contact Kevin at editor@positivelife.org.au or 02 9361 6011.

Life.mail is published six times a year between editions of Talkabout. Of course, we’ll keep you posted if there is any special news or events that just can’t wait. If you have any comments or suggestions for life.mail, please contact editor@positivelife.org.au or call 02 9361 6011.