A declaration of support for the World Kindness Movement was a highlight of The Professional Housekeepers Association of New South Wales’ (PHAN) annual general meeting. “Kindness brings people together,” emphasised World Kindness Australia’s (WKA) chairman Michael Lloyd-White and hence it seems such an appropriate initiative for the executive housekeepers’ organisation.
In what was a solidly supported meeting, PHAN held its annual general meeting on 4 December 2014 at St Marys Cathedral House (Sydney). As well as the usual AGM activities, this meeting witnessed the joining of PHAN with World Kindness Australia.
Lloyd-White pointed that ‘kindness’ is practically never mentioned in today’s corporate and community parlance. “Wellbeing and mindfulness are talked about but those words do not resonate with most people,” he said.
WKA is an official member to the peak global body, The World Kindness Movement. It rallies all sectors of the community to work together to bring about a kinder world. Internationally it is the elected secretariat to the coalition of 20 plus nations that form the World Kindness Movement.
That Movement’s quest is to bring nations together and influence world leaders so that a kinder world can be realised in our lifetime.
World Kindness stands for respect rather than intolerance; inclusion rather than exclusion; hospitality rather than hostility; and gratitude rather than attitude.
PHAN members will act as goodwill ambassadors and look for acts of kindness. To find out more about interesting and valued Movement processes, go to: www.worldkindnessaustralia.org
Be kind to yourselves, says PHAN president
In her address to members, PHAN president Maureen Jolowicz extolled her members to be “kind to yourselves”. She pointed out that the 87% plus occupancy rate experienced by Sydney hotels during 2014 had put particular pressure on executive housekeeping teams.
“There have been more ‘sickies’ taken, both paid and unpaid,” Jolowicz said.
The hotels’ ‘leaner and meaner’ operations mean PHAN members need to kind to themselves and strive for a better work/life balance, Jolowicz encouraged.
With the day and evening work pressures, “it makes us appreciate the time committee members put into PHAN.”
Jolowicz made special mention of member Grace Esogon as PHAN’s ‘go to’ person and the special support the Association has received from The Menzies via member Zarife Melick.
She pointed out that PHAN helps its members to enjoy a professional career through networking to problem-solve as well as deliver educational offerings.
PHAN experienced an active 2014 with a raft of events including a hotel tour; fashion and fitness evening; development program; and a Psychology of Influence forum.
The Association is in a strong financial position and is well positioned for another successful year in 2015.
Those re-elected to the board positions are president Maureen Jolowicz, vice president Grace Esogon, secretary Zarife Melick and treasurer Nela Neves. Committee members are Yulli Kennedy, Kevin Ball, Michael Gilzean, Mahfuz Rashid, Kamila Smirksi and Manjula Sharma.
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