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A prominent American figure in the fields of leadership and volunteerism is to visit New Zealand in May, as the first John F. Kennedy Memorial Fellow since 1999.
Frances Hesselbein, described by former US President Bill Clinton as a “pioneer for women, volunteerism, diversity and opportunity”, is to be hosted by the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society as a keynote speaker at their Centenary Conference in Dunedin. Mrs Hesselbein visits New Zealand with the assistance of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fund, on a fellowship programme administered by Fulbright New Zealand since 1971. The fund was established by the New Zealand Government in 1963, shortly after the death of the popular American president. Public donations of £15,000 were matched by the government, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fellowship established for the purpose of bringing eminent Americans to New Zealand for speaking and teaching engagements in honour of the late president. Fellows are chosen for their capacity to contribute towards a closer
understanding between the peoples of the United States and New Zealand,
and their ability to illuminate the ideals and purposes to which John
F. Kennedy dedicated his life. There have been 14 Fellows to date, all
widely recognised for excellence in their field of work. The 15th Kennedy Fellow, Frances Hesselbein has devoted herself to changing lives for the better. She rose from a volunteer troop leader in the Girl Scouts of America to Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, reinvigorating it over her 24 years in the top position. Awarding Mrs. Hesselbein the United States’ top civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, at the White House in 1998, President Bill Clinton noted: “In 1976, the Girl Scouts of America, one of our country’s greatest institutions, was near collapse. Frances Hesselbein, a former volunteer from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, led them back, both in numbers and spirit. She achieved not only the greatest diversity in the group’s long history, but also its greatest cohesion, and in doing so made a model for us all.” Frances Hesselbein is now Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, an organisation devoted to strengthening leadership in the social sector. She is a member of the National Board of Directors for Volunteers of America, which she has previously chaired, and was invited to speak the Plunket Centenary Conference in recognition of her outstanding career in volunteerism. The Plunket Society’s volunteer networks have played a vital role
in the lives of young families throughout New Zealand over the past 100
years, and their current number of volunteers is over 10,000. Mrs Hesselbein will deliver the Truby King Centenary lecture on May 14th,
the officially-recognised 100th birthday of the organisation. She will
lead an additional workshop on Motivating Volunteers as part of the conference’s
four day programme, which includes among its scheduled entertainment a
play written especially for the occasion by Fulbright alumnus and renowned
New Zealand playwright Roger Hall and his daughter Pip. “Mrs Hesselbein has been invited to this important occasion because
she is a person of substantial accomplishments from whom the Plunket constituency
has much to learn,” says Plunket’s President Kaye Crowther. “Frances is able to share unique, personal perspectives on the art
of leadership in the social sector, that will be pertinent to the experience
and learning needs of Plunket as this unique kiwi institution considers
how to ensure its continuing relevance to New Zealand families. At the
commencement of its second century of service, Frances Hesselbein can
guide Plunket in consideration of change as a positive that can be managed
in the spirit of reinvigorating the soul of the organisation, rather than
destroying it.” While in New Zealand, Mrs Hesselbein will also address the National Advisory
Conference of Guides New Zealand in Wellington, give public seminars on
the topics of leadership and volunteerism at the US Embassy and be hosted
at a reception by Fulbright New Zealand. “I look forward to a wonderful adventure in New Zealand,” says
Mrs Hesselbein of her upcoming eight day visit. “My last visit to
New Zealand was the highlight of the year. To return as a Kennedy Fellow
is a great honour.” For more information about the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fellowship, see the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fellowship page of our website. Details of Frances Hesselbein's US Embassy seminars are on the Programmes & Events page of our site. Details of Plunket’s Centenary Conference are
on their website - www.plunket.org.nz
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