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My role at Interplast as the Coordinator for Rotary Engagement, which I have held since 2019, equips me with the knowledge and experience to help Rotarians, Rotaractors and Clubs to partner with Interplast. Interplast was co-founded by Rotary in 1983, and today is the embodiment of International and Vocational Service in its' mission. Interplast not only provides free surgeries in developing nations across the Asia-Pacific, but also trains the clinicians in the hospitals we visit. If a club is looking to support Interplast, I can help with advice on programs to support, fundraising ideas, and applying for District and/or Global Grants. I can also help with volunteering opportunities if Rotarians would like to individually assist Interplast. I am also able to organise Interplast speakers to visit Clubs anywhere in Zone 8, either in person or remotely, to help Rotarians learn about Interplast's life-changing mission.

I am a fundraising, sponsorship and marketing specialist. I am honoured to have worked with organisations that make a difference in our community such as Auckland City Council, Hamilton Gardens, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Paralympics New Zealand, Well Foundation and Toi Ngāpuhi. I am a Board Member of YES Disability Resource Centre Services Trust, a Member of North Shore Rotary - Fundraising Director, part of the Golf (Fundraising) Committee, Fundraising Action Group, a member of Major Fundraising and Grants Portfolio Committee for Zone 8 and a Trustee for Rotary East Coast Bays Trust. I am a current member of Institute of Directors, Women on Boards and Moceanic. My greatest passion is people. I can offer my skills and knowledge including workshops and advice on fundraising and marketing to assist our Rotary clubs with their projects and fundraising efforts. I look forward to working with the Rotary clubs and together achieving results that will make a difference in our community.

I particularly seek to be a part of the solution to reversing declining membership numbers across Zone 8 through the creation of highly visible community projects which attract community appreciation, and hence enhance the desire for people to become Rotarians. I feel I bring to the table both business leadership skills, and a reasonable understanding of how the District structure model has both been successful and unsuccessful. Raising the profile of Rotary is a huge part of future success. We have a lot of great stories to tell/sell.

Thaya Ponniah has been a Rotarian since 1998. He was the President of the Rotary Club of Colombo South (District 3220, Sri Lanka) in 2002/2003. He was presented the “Best President” and the “Best Club” awards. Thaya also became a major donor during his presidency in Sri Lanka and was instrumental in making his club a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club in the district. Thaya was the District Chair for Vocational Service in Sri Lanka in 2003–2004. He again became president of the Rotary Club of Strathfield (District 9675, NSW, Australia) and was presented with the “Club of the Year” award for District 9675 in 2021/2022. Thaya is currently a Paul Harris Society member and a major donor at level 2. Thaya has been the District Fund Raising Chair of the Foundation for the last 2 years, and he is currently the District Chair for International Services.