Dannevirke Grey Power in danger of folding

• Published date: 08 April 2024
• Author: Dave Murdoch
• Publication title: Bush Telegraph

Lew Findlay, who also served as president of Manawatu Grey Power, was asked to speak on procedures at the Dannevirke group’s AGM

The consensus at the meeting was the members would like it to continue but when it came to the election of officers none felt strongly enough to put up their hands.

Outgoing president Glennis McDonald thanked the retiring executive – secretary Wendy Archer, membership secretary Lorris Haste, and treasurer Shelley Vette – for their long service.

Findlay said the National Grey Power executive did not want Dannevirke to fold.

He said in recent years Grey Power had grown nationally by 2500 members and had 72 branches all working hard for their membership, especially in Parliament and it has over the years gained many financial benefits in subsidies.

He argued that taking on roles of leadership was not that hard and were in fact “really rewarding”.

“There is no job on a committee that is too hard,” he said, adding that he hoped members, when they realise “this is it for Grey Power in Dannevirke”, might consider a role.”

In the interim, he offered Manawatu Grey Power as a “nursemaid” to tide the branch through until a committee formed.

He said there had to be three local members as signatories for the accounts in the meantime – the outgoing executive agreeing temporarily, with membership secretary Lorris Haste agreeing to be the contact for anyone volunteering to join a committee to serve with Lew himself, being acting president.

It would be a tragedy if nothing eventuated after Dannevirke Grey Power...