Reason for being on NYWN Board of Management:

Name: Rod Baxter

Occupation: Youth Worker

Current Organisation/Service you work for: BGI - Wellington Boys’ & Girls’ Institute

Profile statement about your self:
Really loves Wellington
Orders too much coffee
Dreams big
Believes in journeys, learning and growth
Alerts young people to the power they possess
X-Men comic collector
Takes risks and needs adventure
Everyone thinks he’s addicted to stationery
Receding hairline doesn’t worry him

Favorite Celebrity:
Peter Parker, Spider-Man. “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”

Favorite Food:
Anything from Sweet Mother’s Kitchen on Courtenay Place or the vegie stir fry from Satay Kingdom on Cuba Street. Mmm…

Why or what do you love most about being a Youth Worker:
I love the freedom, innovation, flexibility, creativity and spontaneity youth work allows. Every day is different.

One day I’m on camp; kayaking across lakes, debriefing by candlelight. One day I’m painting a mural. One day I’m mentoring in a café. One day I’m training youth workers. One day I’m facilitating a meeting of young advocates. One day I’m running a course in schools. One day I’m finishing my training as a supervisor. One day I’m chasing bikes around the waterfront. One day I’m crying with a boy as he reunites with his mum. One day I’m supporting volunteers. One day I’m planning an event with other youth workers. One day I’m wondering what’s gonna happen tomorrow…