The 2012 London Olympics are in full swing and already weve seen several outstanding efforts by our

New Zealand athletes. Our rowers have been absolutely brilliant, but we shouldnt overlook the great efforts of the equestrian team, our cycling boys, shot putter Valerie Adams, and all of our athletes. Look out for potential medals in the sailing, hockey, triathalon, and mens 1500m. Perhaps even better has been the reaction of the Aussies, with one of the best going to Sydneys Daily Telegraphs tongue-in-cheek ranking of Aus Zealand. The other main focus on golden rings in the news recently has been Louisa Walls marriage equality legislation. We asked the question Marriage equality were in favour, how about you? on Facebook and received a huge response. With over 9,000 people viewing the question, the results were 139 votes in favour, and 8 votes against. This point of view reflects our current stance on marriage equality, a stance which we hope to elaborate on further down the track at our second policy symposium of the year. Finally this week we have the Partys Education Policy Advisory Group with us in Dunedin to host their Education Policy Forum, where you get a chance to influence and shape Party policy. The Pub Quiz team and NRL tipping also rolls on, and were looking to finish of the year on a high as we aim to hit new Membership targets set by the National Executive.

Education Policy Advisory Group 2012 Student Forum

The Partys main vehicle for Member involvement in education policy development, the Education Policy Advisory Group, is in Dunedin this week to host the 2012 Student Forum. All financial Members are invited to attend, and by now you should have received an invitation. If not, a further copy is attached to this newsletter, or can be found here.

The Forum will be chaired by myself, and Education PAG Chair Murray Spackman, with Michael Woodhouse as the Guest MP. We will be discussing student loans and voluntary student membership, with a focus on current policy, the situation post VSM implementation, and future options.

A reminder this event is by invitation only with no media present. Please RSVP directly to me at james.meager@national.org.nz. As it is financial Members only, you can become a Member by signing up at youngnats.org.nz/join/.

The Final Stretch

The current Executive is in its last three months but we still have a lot to do before we elect a new team to take us officially into 2013. Briefly, our aims over the next three months include: Trips to each of our electorates to drive Membership. Developing a plan for the Waitaki, Invercargill and Clutha Southland electorates in terms of structure and membership. Developing individual Communications, Membership, Financial, Community Engagement and Policy strategies. Holding one more Policy Forum/Symposium. Updating the Standing Orders and clarifying Executive roles, and settling on a Strategic Plan for 2013. Exceeding the Membership targets set by the National Executive. Hosting several more Ministers, including Hon Chris Finlayson and Hon Paula Bennett. Beginning O Week planning for 2013. Youll note I mentioned Membership targets which have recently been set by the National Executive. Southern has been encouraged to boost our Membership to over 100 Members and there will be an incentive for reaching that target. More information and details will be distributed soon on how we will be achieving that goal over the next three months. As always, we value your opinion and input on these processes, so please take the opportunity to comment and submit on all consultation documents we share with you. What we value even more though are people who are willing to step up and lead from the front by putting their hand up for an Executive role. Our next Executive meeting on August 22 will finalise the date for our AGM and elections. Information on the nomination process will follow that meeting.

Regional Council
The Regional Council meets this Friday in Dunedin, so if you have any concerns or issues you would like me to raise with them please dont hesitate to get in touch and let me know. Our Regional Chair, Ele Ludemann, was re-elected at the Regional Conference earlier this year and continues to do an outstanding job as a leader and organiser within the Party, as well as a strong supportive voice outside. She is a strong supporter of the Southern Young Nats and Id like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and commitment to growing our organisation.

Regular Events

Bog Quiz Team

The Pub Quiz team is back in action at The Bog on Monday night. The current kitty stands at $160 in Bog vouchers so be sure to come along by 7pm and keep that winning feeling. Well look to put our winnings towards the end of year function and AGM, so be sure to take full advantage of the hospitality on offer.

Virtual Tipping
The Super Rugby is done and dusted with the final results showing John Brinsley-Pirie as the clear winner, followed by the Southern teams formula of picking the crowds favourite option for each game. The more active players followed next, with some pretty dismal showings at the foot of the table.

A Virtual ITM Cup comp is also in the works, well give you more details on that in the coming weeks. The NRL tipping is also getting into the business end of the competition with only four regular season games left. Some progress has been made on the current leader Steveman, with only one point separating him and the Southern team.

Well thats it for this week, Ill leave you with this quote from superb London Mayor Boris Johnson (hat-tip to Mike Woodhouse): My chances of being PM are about as good as the chances of finding Elvis on Mars, or my being reincarnated as an olive. Cheers, James Meager Chair Young Nationals Southern Region
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