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Meet our Team
Governance Board
Rose Camp
Chairperson
Rose joined the MECFS Canterbury committee in 2019, with a focus on improving how people with ME/CFS are treated by the health system.
Both Rose and a family member have ME/CFS, and she is currently unable to work consistent regular hours because of it. Rose has a background in software development (as a tester), and in charity administration.
Greta Bond
Secretary
Greta joined our Board in September 2025, and brings experience as CEO of Aged Concern Canterbury and a previous project specialist role with the Canterbury District Health Board.
She became Secretary of the Board in February 2026.
Siju Thomas
Treasurer
Siju kindly joined our committee in February 2024, to help us monitor our cashflow and grants pipeline, and to participate in governance discussions.
Siju brings experience in financial management overseas and is a semi-qualified Chartered Accountant.
Karen Lawton
Karen joined the MECFS Canterbury committee in February 2022, as a consequence of having a family member who lives with ME/CFS and its impacts.
Karen has experience in writing applications for government funding for companies, in sponsorship and funding for various regional and national photographic events, and as registrar for the NZ Acupuncture Standards Authority.
Her main focus for our organisation is to ensure that the organisation attracts grants to sustain and grow the support needed by our local ME/CFS community.
Tom Harris
Tom joined MECFS Canterbury and the Committee in April 2022.
He has had CFS on and off for about 8 years.
Tom trained as a psychology researcher, is an experienced muscian, and runs an AI Education company.
He is an avid follower of new ME/CFS research (which he blogs about) and contributes to the quality of our written material and awareness raising activities.
Ruth Keating
Ruth joined our Board in January 2025, and brings experience as a lawyer working in NZ, London and Melbourne in both large firms and most recently in house as a General Manager.
Ruth has a rare auto immune condition and has lived experience with Chronic Fatigue, and has had to stop working.
Since 2022 she has been solely focusing on furthering her Governance career in Not for Profit entities. She is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Advisors
Jan Barber, Board Advisor
Jan is a Clinical Pharmacist by training but since 1997 worked in various roles in the New Zealand health system, including the Health Funding Authority, General Practice Organisations and Regional District Health Board organisations.
From 2011 until May 2017, she was employed by the five South Island DHBs as the General Manager of the South Island Alliance Programme Office (SIAPO). Jan also has a history of governance experience for netball charities.
Jan joined our committee in Feb 2021 and made significant contributions around strategy, governance processes and recruitment. In January 2025 she resigned from our Board, but continues to provide valuable support.
Richard Everts, Medical Advisor
Dr Richard Everts is a hospital and community Infectious Disease Specialist and Medical Microbiologist based in Nelson who has maintained an active clinical interest in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 30 years.
In 2025, Richard retired from seeing ME/CFS patients. In 2026, he kindly accepted the opportunity to put his experience and knowledge to use as a Medical Advisor for MECFS Canterbury.
The main goal of this role is to provide senior clinical support and encouragement for our nurses, alongside reviewing our handouts and material and supporting funding applications and education activities.
Please note that Dr Everts is not available for individual client appointments.
Operations Staff
Rose
Acting Manager
Rose has stepped in as Acting Manager until we have worked through our recruitment process for a new part time Manager.
Rose has responsibility for developing appropriate services, building our team of employees and volunteers, and networking with other service providers.
Amanda
Registered Nurse
Amanda joined our team in January 2023 in a part-time role.
She brings experience in community nursing, where she supported people with palliative care, wound care, and chronic health conditions.
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Wendy
Registered Nurse
Wendy joined our team in March 2024 in a part-time role.
She has a community nursing background and spent most of her working life in South Auckland.
She has personal experience of ME/CFS having a close family member who lives with it.
Rose-elle
Work and Income Advocate
Rose-elle joined our volunteer Outreach team in 2022 while a social work student. She moved into a part time Work and Income Advocacy role with us in 2023.
Rose-elle supports people to explore their eligibility for the financial benefits and allowances available from Work and Income and to apply for and maintain these.
Vacant
Sponsorship Lead
We are currently recruiting for a part time volunteer Sponsorship Lead.
This role includes developing sponsorship opportunities and building relationships with companies who may be in a position to support our services for our chronically ill community.
Vacant
Volunteer Coordinator
We are currently recruiting for a Coordinator for our Volunteer Outreach Service.
This is an important role and involves onboarding volunteers and matching these to clients who need practical or friendly support.
Mell
Office Administrator
Mell joined us as volunteer Office Administrator in April 2025 to support our team. Mell became a part-time employee in October 2025.
She responds to email and phone queries, looks after our library, helps prepare documentation, plus a wide range of other tasks.
Hannah
Accounts Administrator
Hannah joined us in May 2021 to be our part time volunteer Office Administrator, later moving to an employed capacity.
In January 2023, she changed focus to the Accounts Administrator role and now looks after our day-to-day financial accounts.
She manages these tasks while living with ME/CFS and POTS.
Tamara
Social Media Coordinator
Tamara joined us in this volunteer role in December 2024.
Tamara posts content on our social media channels to raise awareness of ME/CFS, our services and guidance for living with ME/CFS and related conditions.
Desiree
North Canterbury Support
Desiree has been a volunteer with us since March 2024 in a Client Outreach and Support role.
She helps connect people in our ME/CFS community with others and the wider community. She also provides assistance for working through a next step, developing a special interest, or just catching up with a friendly call. Desiree also helps facilitate our group meetings in Rangiora..
Jordan
Christchurch Support
Jordan began volunteering with us in the Client Outreach and Supports role for Christchurch in July 2025. She has a BSci in Genetics and is currenlty doing a Masters in Nursing.
Jordan is available to provide assistance for working through a next step, developing a special interest, or just catching up with a friendly call or visit.
Rissa
South Canterbury Support
Rissa has provided advice around Work and Income benefits and allowances on a volunteer part time basis for us since February 2022.
In the end of 2023, she moved to Waimate and is providing local support and facilitating gatherings in Timaru for people with ME/CFS.
Vacant
Mid Canterbury Support
We are looking for a volunteer to be our Client Outreach and Support in Mid Canterbury.
This position helps connect people in our ME/CFS community with others and the wider community. The volunteer also provides assistance for working through a next step, developing a special interest, or just catching up with a friendly call or visit. They may also help facilitate our group meetings in the area e.g. in Ashburton.
Vacant
West Coast Support
We are looking for volunteers to be our Client Outreach and Supports on the West Coast.
This position helps connect people in our ME/CFS community with others and the wider community. The volunteer also provides assistance for working through a next step, developing a special interest, or just catching up with a friendly call or visit. They may also help facilitate our group meetings in the area. e.g. Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Reefton.
Andy
Video Editor
Andy joined us in November 2024 as a volunteer. He edits the recordings from our educational sessions so that we can share these on our YouTube channel.
Louis
Newsletter Contributor
Louis started volunteering with us in November 2025. He contributes to our bi-monthly newsletter and updates the content on our website.
Louis has a B.A. in English and Philosophy, and has a family member living with ME/CFS.
Jill
Afternoon Tea Host
Jill joined us in April 2022 as a volunteer.
She home bakes delicious gluten free and dairy free treats for our afternoon teas at our group meetings.
Stéphanie
Seller of Donated Goods
Stéphanie joined us in December 2022 as a volunteer to sell items that are donated to us on Trade Me. She manages the listings and sales interactions, and helps us increase our income.
Volunteers
We have a remarkable team of volunteers who contribute to our organisation or support people one-on-one. Some help with one-off projects and others help on a regular basis. Their support makes a real difference to the lives of the people in our ME/CFS community.