Business Women’s Network (BWN) held their first Charity Behind the Scenes event post-lockdown. Our Event Co-ordinator Jeanette Mindham reflects on the night.
This month, the Cancer Society celebrates its 30th Anniversary of Daffodil Day, so BWN thought it was a great opportunity to look behind the scenes of this charity and hear from some of the women who involved in it.
Shelly Campbell, CEO of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Cancer Society, opened the evening with an eye-opening statistic: Every year 300,000 people receive a cancer diagnosis, which is double the number it was when Daffodil Day first begun. Shelley sees the key purpose of the Cancer Society is to be there when people need them.
Shelly took up her position as CEO in October 2017, having been CEO of the Peter Blake Trust for seven years and prior to this at the Waikato Primary Health. One of things she has found in her roles is overcoming perceptions and assumptions of who leaders are.
Her advice to other women is that in order to succeed you have to be comfortable in your own skin and really understand the value you can bring. She also said a key strength she felt women can bring to any organisation is our ability to navigate conflict without drama: An ability to understand a problem, sort it out and then move on.
Former world discus champion Beatrice Faumuina followed Shelley, sharing the disciplines she has learnt in sport and business. Growing up in a household of three generations, with lots of extended family around, Beatrice learnt very early on about the comfort you can receive by being surrounded by loved ones and sharing problems with them.
Her advice to us was to be honest and ask for help when needed even when it’s really awkward. By asking for help we are often granting permission for someone else to share the same problem. Her tip in regards to taking on additional work or projects was to reflect whether it aligns with your values and what you want to achieve, and if it doesn’t gift it on to someone else.
Karen Gemmell, the Fundraising Coordinator for the Bay of Plenty, was the final speaker for the evening. She gave us an overview of the vast services the Cancer Society provide – from transport to appointments, meals, massage services, accommodation and support.
She said a lot of this was made possible through the work volunteers. She shared how COVID-19 had a huge impact on their fundraising efforts this year and the importance of Daffodil Day. They do, however, have a digital fundraising programme prepared should go into lockdown again. By donating time or money, she said you were giving to a culture of community and caring.
This was taken on board by event attendees, as we raised nearly $200 from the 25 women who attended the evening and rallied a great little team of volunteers. Thank you to everyone who attended and gave so generously, and thank you to our speakers for their insights.
Business Women’s Network is a Chamber networking group formed by women, for women. It aims to provide informative, engaging events and opportunities for local women in business at all stages of their career. You can find more events and opportunities here.
