Fresh Faces Bring New Perspectives to RSA

Fresh Faces Bring New Perspectives to RSA

The RSA has voted for diversity with the election of the first women and civilian members to its National Executive Committee (NEC).

Alongside the new National President BJ Clark, who is seeking to quietly revolutionise the RSA movement, members have elected three fresh faces to its NEC.

They are Police Detective Jenepher Glover, former Base Commander of HMNZS Philomel, Corina Bruce and President of the Paraparaumu RSA, Chris Turver.

Clark has called for a revolution of attitudes, in particular in welcoming new members into the RSA movement, and is delighted with the fresh faces on his executive.

All three appointments are committed to making RSAs more relevant to the community, attracting existing service personnel to the movement and working positively in a changing environment.

Jenepher Glover, a detective with the Dunedin CIB, is a specialist interviewer. She says her training has taught her to listen, understand and find a solution. She’ll use those strengths to listen to veterans and members and also hear what the community is saying.

“I’d like us to cement our place in the community and, in doing so, reflect what it is saying,” Glover says. “I’d also like to see a more diverse membership. Our young veterans and serving members of the military need our support and I will encourage them to join.”

Glover has been a member of the New Zealand Police since 1979 and, during that time, she’s been posted to the Solomon Islands and East Timor as Officer in Charge of the Major Crime Investigation Unit. Jenepher is serving her second term as President of the Dunedin RSA and has been a member of their Executive Committee since 2004.

Corina Bruce will not be around when the RSA celebrates its 150th anniversary but wants to ensure the movement in 2066 will be relevant to those who join and are serving today.

“Our role is to ensure the RSA remains true to its foundations, values and objectives for all generations including those who serve, have served or will serve,” she says.

“This includes embracing the diversity of all our services, connecting the RSA with our communities and stakeholders through the Anzac spirit and comradeship and continuing open dialogue between members, services and communities.”

Bruce was recently announced as a finalist in the 2014 Women of Influence Awards in the Board and Management category.

Chris Turver is the first civilian to be elected to the RSA National Executive Committee. He has used his background of strategic planning, communication and business development to help the Paraparaumu RSA build membership and income.

Turver was a war correspondent with 161 Battery in Vietnam and was on patrol with 1RNZIR on the Borneo border during confrontation and on HMNZS Canterbury’s nuclear protest voyage to Mururoa.

He says the survival of RSAs depends on their ability to create a future for themselves by changing the historical way they’ve done things.

“We need to create an environment that the community want to go to. I want to regenerate the interest of young people in the services and recently retired personnel by making RSAs relevant to them.”

Turver has been a member of the Otaki and Paraparaumu RSAs for 15 years.

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