Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.

But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning Winston Churchill The poignant words above are a nice way to begin my last newsletter as Chair of the Young Nationals Southern Region. The tenure of this current Executive has been shorter than most (from February 12 to September 14) but for good reason. Late last year the Southern Young Nats set about restructuring the organisation in order to capitalise on the momentum built up from the 2011 election campaign. Part of that restructuring involved ushering in a new, short-term Executive set with the task of implementing a structure and strategy which would help set the organisation up for the long-term. And, as the above quote indicates, this is still a work in progress, so we should reflect on the end of this Executives term as just the beginning of a much stronger and effective organisation for 2013 and beyond. I am very proud of what the organisation has been able to achieve this year. Membership has doubled, and with over three-quarters of the current Members having joined in either 2011 or 2012, the organisation is in a good, youthful shape moving forward. The finances have also significantly improved - we are hopefully looking at ending the year with at least $1,000 in the bank, compared to the $103 we had at the start of the year. Our impact within the Party has also been noticeable, with a record number of delegates attending the Mainland and National Party Conferences. Our Members are also starting to make an impact in the community as we partner with charities and community groups to help bring about better outcomes for our local communities. On a personal note I would like to thank everybody who has been involved with making the organisation as successful as it has been this year. We can do very little without the support of our electorate chairs and committees, as well as the friends and families of all of our Members. In particular, on behalf of the Southern Young Nats I would like to thank our Regional Chair Ele Ludemann for the continued and almost unrelenting support she has offered myself and my Executive over the year. May you continue to rain various cookies and baked goods down on us from above for many years to come.

2012 Annual General Meeting and Executive Elections

Attached to this newsletter is the agenda and accompanying documents for the Annual General Meeting to be held at 5:30pm this Friday 14 September, upstairs at The Bog Restaurant and Bar. Hard copies will be available on the evening. Advanced nominations for the Executive positions continue to be open until 5:00pm Thursday 13 September. Nominations need to be seconded by one other Member, so you may nominate yourself and have that nomination seconded by another Member. Once advanced nominations are closed all voting Members will be notified of the candidates at 5:30pm and advanced voting for those candidates (one vote per position) will be open until 5:30pm Friday 14 September. This is to allow those Members who are unable to make it to the AGM to still have their say on the leadership for 2012/2013. Members who are present at the AGM are unable to cast advanced votes. Nominations are also able to be taken from the floor of the AGM, however it should be noted that those candidates will not be able to benefit from any advanced votes. An

invitation summarising the event is attached to this newsletter and further details are available through the Members Facebook Group. What: 2012 Young Nationals Southern Region Annual General Meeting Where: The Bog Irish Bar, Dunedin (upstairs restaurant) When: Friday, 14 September 5:30pm - 8:00pm Food and non-alcoholic beverages provided.

Living Below The Line

One of our Members, Varsha Singh, is taking part in a charity fundraising event called Live Below the Line. To help her fundraise she has been donated a bottle of Pasquale 2010 Pinot Gris - a great wine from our very own Southern Region - signed by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, which she is raffling off.

The raffles are $2 a ticket and the last day to purchase is 27 November. The prize will be drawn on 28 November. Please contact Varsha directly at varshasingh37@hotmail.com to purchase your chance to win a fantastic (and perhaps very profitable) prize.

This is a great chance to support our Members as they raise money for charity.

Signing Off
Well thats all from me! I hope that the new Executive can continue the weekly newsletter, it is a bit of work, but in my opinion, well worth the effort. Best of luck to all the candidates for the upcoming Executive elections, and if I can ask one thing of those reading this final newsletter, its that you head over to youngnats.org.nz/join/ and consider helping us build that brighter future which Im certain we all want. For the last time, cheers, James Meager Chair Young Nationals Southern Region
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