So far, the NZAF has met informally with local groups, had individual meetings across the country, and produced a survey asking what people want or need from NZAF services. One of the survey questions asked if people would like to join an advisory/reference group for NZAF Positive Health Services. It was heartening to see strong support for this idea. For the NZAF to continue to build upon our commitment to greater involvement of people living with HIV, we must now move to the next stage, the formation of a HIV positive ‘reference’ group.
The reference group will be a national group, made up of approximately nine people, with a focus on individuals rather than representatives of existing organisations. This will ensure that members of the group can add value to the relationships we already have with HIV peer support organisations. It is hoped that a cross-section of people living with HIV will be involved. We need the contribution of a range of genders, ages, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations and identities, people newly and long-term diagnosed, those taking treatments for many years, new to treatments, those who have not yet started, parents of children with living with HIV. Once formed, the group will meet every three months for a full day and contact will be maintained between members of the group throughout the year. The draft terms of reference include:
* Helping to establish the direction for future issues of Collective Thinking
* Reviewing any planned materials for publication by NZAF Positive Health Services
* Reviewing changes to systems and services such as the NZAF Positive Speakers Bureau and Wellness Fund
* Providing input into the annual process of setting operational goals
* Reviewing and monitoring delivery of those plans
This group will meet and work with the NZAF Director of Positive Health Services, although others, such as the editors of Collective Thinking, and NZAF Regional Managers will join us for specific purposes. Whilst confidentiality will be respected and the names of the participants need not be published, to assist with administering group members will need to be comfortable with their status being known by NZAF staff other than the NZAF Director of Positive Health Services.
If you are interested and wish to be a part of this group please contact Eamonn Smythe, NZAF Director Positive Health Services or your nearest NZAF Regional Manager by 1 December 2009. Please include some information about yourself (a resume would be helpful but not essential), what you believe you can contribute and your reason for wanting to participate. Responses are welcomed by email, post or fax.
We look forward to hearing from you.
