Timothy McMichael is leaving in December OUTLine has confirmed General Manager Timothy McMichael will leave the organisation in December, as it begins a review of its staffing and structure. After an extensive search in the wake former GM Vaughan Meneses moving on to a new job in Wellington, McMichael was appointed the role in April and began working at OUTLine in May. He will finish with the organisation on 1 December after delivering its refreshed "101" training programme, which started last week. “The refreshed training programme for new and prospective OUTLine volunteers is the final deliverable in a programme of change that Timothy has led over the last six months,” a statement from the OUTLine Board says. “The Board acknowledges the significant contribution that Timothy has made to OUTLine during his tenure as General Manager,” it continues. It’s understood his exit is partially for personal reasons, and the Board will use the opportunity to review how OUTLine is run – particularly its staffing and structure. “Our aim is to ensure that our structure supports and values the contribution of OUTLine volunteers and is optimally aligned to the communities' needs,” the Board says in a statement. “The board will be consulting with other organisations that provide services to GLBT communities, such as Rainbow Youth, Genderbridge, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and Body Positive as part of the review. We see this as an excellent opportunity to facilitate the alignment and integration of services across the sector.” Established nearly forty years ago as Auckland Gay and Lesbian Welfare, OUTLine provides education, training and social support. It recently moved to larger premises next door to its former Three Lamps office in the hope of creating a “Rainbow Hub” for community organisations. The Board says OUTLine needs to remain relevant to its communities’ changing needs: “The rapid and radical changes in the social and legislative environment over the last forty years mean that members of our communities have had diverse life experience, depending on when and where they were born, and have a variety of support needs.” It believes the review will position OUTLine to “look towards the next forty years of community service and support”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 31st October 2012 - 2:58pm