More details and presentation to the board

Thanks for all your support so far! We emailed Mark Wells the CEO (mark.wells@yha.co.nz) and have some more information (please see questions and answers below). The good news is we have more time to get more people involved, so keep sharing the petition! We believe it is more effective if we actually present to the board ourselves, if you are interested in contributing to and/or participating in this please get in contact with David Wildish - daivid@wildish.net.nz What is the consultation process you have in place? "Our National Board policy requires consultation with local Branches who have had a significant relationship with the hostel. On that basis, I have met with the Auckland Branch Committee and although the Tauranga Branch is now in recess, I did ask a past-Chair about the possibility of organising a meeting with Tauranga-based members, but that invitation was declined." How can I and all those who are interested in keeping the hostel running be a part of it? "Your views will be taken into consideration in preparing a recommendation for the Board, so that is a contribution to the consultation process. In terms of keeping the hostel running, its limited capacity will always impact its viability, while health and safety legislation prevents the utilisation of volunteer labour, which was so important in earlier YHA days." What is the decision-making timeline? "I will be preparing a recommendation for the Board in the last week of April." If money is the key issue, how much and what exactly is this money needed for? "The immediate investment required is in the range of $150,000. However, there are other future costs which will impact on the viability of the hostel, including changes to sleepover remuneration, and tree felling for health and safety reasons."