Member Council
Your Member Council
Members voted at the Society’s Annual General Meeting in September 2015 to establish a Member Council. The Council has broad mandate to engage with members, families and people with intellectual disabilities. Its Terms of Reference include acting as a conduit of information between members and the IHC Board and promoting and supporting the work of Associations.
To view the Member Council member for your area, please click here.
Current Member Council Members
Lynne Renouf
IHC Member Council Chair, IHC Board Member, Committee Member Mana / Kapiti Association and IHC Life Member
Lynne has been an active member on the Mana Association for many years and is an IHC Life Member. Lynne's son Duncan born with Down Syndrome passed away in 2017. She is a Welfare Guardian and Property Administrator for two people with intellectual disabilities and holds Enduring Power of Attorney for another woman undergoing medical treatment. Lynne has been involved in many of IHC's Advocacy and rights based campaigns, advocating for both the individual and the systemic changes we need to make in community. Lynne's motto is: "think globally; act locally; respond personally" and spend time doing this with like-minded people.
To email Lynne click here.
Kay Pearce
Committee Member North Canterbury Association
Kay has strong connections to many groups and individuals in the North Canterbury community. As the mother of a young man with an intellectual disability, she brings a parent perspective to the Member Council. Kay has a strong desire to be part of progressive change and to help bridge the gap between members and the organisation.
To email Kay click here.
Vicki Owen
Committee Member Wellington Association and IDEA Services Board Member
Vicki has two children and her daughter Emma has Apert Syndrome, which includes both intellectual and physical disabilities. Vicki is a barrister and solicitor specialising in public law, and has worked for a number of government departments.
She would like the government take a more joined up approach to the disability sector. She would also like to see IHC have a broader reach within the community, particularly with families who have tamariki with an intellectual disability.
To email Vicki click here.
Anne Gilbert
Member, Wellington
As a parent Anne is dedicated to ensuring her younger son is a valued member of his community accessing full rights of citizenship. She has served on the IHC Board for six years and as Association Chair for several years.
Currently Anne is Transparency International New Zealand’s Public Sector Integrity Manager promoting transparency, integrity, accountability, ethics and good governance through the New Zealand public sector.
She is keen for the Member Council to effectively represent the collective voice of families and members. Thereby insuring IHC remains the leading advocate for the rights and wellbeing of people with an intellectual disability.
To email Anne click here.
Cassy Williams
Committee Member Tauranga Association
Cassy is a full time mum to three young children, including her daughter who has Down syndrome. Cassy trained as an Early Childhood teacher and has worked in home based education as a Regional Manager, supporting caregivers and teachers in children's learning and development.
She has travelled the world extensively and has visited most corners of the globe. Returning home to New Zealand, she opened and operated an espresso bar at Mt Maunganui. Cassy brings fresh ideas and perspective and is passionate about making a better life experience for all people with an intellectual disability.
To email Cassy click here.
Denise Mackres
Committee Member North Harbour Association
From an adult education background, Denise has been involved in a number of initiatives in advancing skills within the Health and Disability sector.
Denise is an active member of the North Harbour Association and supports the management of the IHC Opportunity shop in Birkenhead, Auckland.
Denise is committed to the ideals of IHC supporting those we care about and is looking forward to having the opportunity of playing an active part in the promotion of better communication between IHC membership and the organisation.
To email Denise click here.
Keith Rea
Committee Member Waikato South Association
Keith is a Retired Accountant after working for the same firm for 52 years.
He has been involved with the Matamata Area and Waikato South Association for over 45 years. During this time Keith has been an Association Chair and is currently the Waikato South Association Treasurer.
Keith feels privileged to be part of this organisation and want to make sure that people with intellectual disabilities will be looked after so they can lead satisfying lives in the community.
Keith has an interest in becoming part of the Member Council to have communication between the Association, Members and the Board.
To email Keith please click here.
John Rossbotham
Member, Wellington
John’s involvement with IHC spans 45 years. He has a son, Matthew, who resides in Wellington with IDEA Services support. John is an enthusiastic advocate for vulnerable people as evidenced by his work on both the Hamilton and Wellington IHC Associations (previously known as Branch Committees) and thirty plus years assisting people in various ways as a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Hamilton, Wellington, and the Hutt Valley currently.
John served as Treasurer of the Wellington Association for eight years and led the development of client services for the St Vincent de Paul Society in Wellington over a period of sixteen years. Those services included a Special Works Programme for people with an intellectual disability that was developed in liaison with IHC and IDEA Services personnel.
He views his position on the Member Council as an opportunity to assist in development of Member / Association / Board communication and interaction for the benefit of IHC clients and families.
To email John click here.
The IHC Board
At IHC we are privileged to have a Board combining those with a professional background with those with a lived experience of intellectual disability as family members. All our Board Members are champions of the IHC Mission.
We have eight Board Members including our Chief Executive who is a non-voting member.
Tony Shaw, Andrew Evans, Lynne Lane, Barbara Rocco and Suzanne Win are also members of the IDEA Services Board. The IDEA Services Board meets before each IHC Board meeting and is chaired by Suzanne Win
For further information about the IHC Board, please click here.