Manager
Haidee moved to New Zealand with her family in 2019 and found Timaru to be their new home. She was the Marketing & Communications Manager at a financial and corporate advisory firm in Asia. Before that, she was an Administrative Assistant to the National Director of World Vision Thailand and have had the opportunity to work with local, regional, and international members of the organisation. With her previous positions, she had built a network of professional contacts who are top management executives.
She joined Volunteering Mid and South Canterbury in April 2022 and is very excited to learn about community organisations and be part of the organisation to continue to support in promoting our vision as a one-stop shop for all things volunteering.
When she is not working, she is busy with raising their young daughter with her husband, serving at her local church or baking chocolate liqueur cakes!
Community Connections Coordinator
Since moving to Ashburton with her husband John at the end of 2013, she has worked in various roles. Some involved teaching, as she is a retired Primary Teacher. She recently worked as a Financial Mentor with Presbyterian Support Upper South Island in Ashburton for 10 years until the Budget Service closed at the end of June. She has been a volunteer herself and has recruited and trained volunteers while working at the Budget Service, including using the services of VMSC to recruit volunteers. Volunteering is something that the people of Ashburton do well. She loves being part of such a caring and generous community. She lives with her husband John, who is also a retired Primary Teacher. They both love exploring places close to home and further afield in New Zealand.
She is excitedly settling into her new role with Volunteering Mid and South Canterbury.
Our board members are recruited from the local community (or from our membership) based on their interest in what we do and their range of perspectives and skills. They are elected and serve for a minimum of two years. If you are interested in knowing more please contact us.
Board Chair
After some time in Palmerston North and Wellington, Stacey Blissett returned to Timaru in 2015 and is working as a lawyer at Timpany Walton, a local law firm.
Outside of work, she has recently joined the Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury board and the Community Accounts Service board.
Stacey and her husband enjoy spending time looking after their three, very spoilt dogs.
Board Member
Rachel moved to Canterbury in 2006 to study at Canterbury University and after a period in the North Island, returned to the region in 2016.
Through various Human Resource roles, Rachel has had the good fortune to work in both Mid and South Canterbury, predominantly within Local Government.
Rachel has volunteered previously in a Church setting, and with Community Law Canterbury, and is excited about the opportunity to give back to an organisation that supports volunteers and volunteer organisations.
Board Member
Josh grew up in Temuka, attending Timaru Boys High School before beginning work for HC Partners LP, an accounting firm based in Timaru and Waimate. He has been with HC Partners LP for over 11 years, currently in the Office Manager role and completed his Bachelor of Accountancy degree studying part-time via distance learning through Massey University.
He is living in Timaru with his fiancé Laura and they plan to get married at the end of January 2025.
Outside of work and studies, Josh is highly involved in a range of sports. In the winter months, he takes to the rugby field as a Senior Rugby Referee for the South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association. Then in the summer, he plays senior cricket for the Temuka Cricket Club.
Additionally, Josh is committed to giving back to his community through his involvement with various organisations. He serves as a board member for The Y Central South Island, South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association, Temuka Cricket Club, South Canterbury Cricket Association, So Kan Ju Judo Club and Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury.