UNICEF and Melanie Verwoerd

jimmynokia

Do you think its fair that unicef sack melanie verwoerd just because she dated gerry ryan?
Also they done it via email,how low is that,gerry is now resting in peace and things have moved on is this moving backwards for unicef or a publicity stunt.

mackg

jimmynokia wrote: »

Do you think its fair that unicef sack melanie verwoerd just because she dated gerry ryan?
Also they done it via email,how low is that,gerry is now resting in peace and things have moved on is this moving backwards for unicef or a publicity stunt.

Link and quote please I have no idea what this is about.

Badgermonkey

Can I see the article? Post your Daily Star to:

Couldn't Care Less
PO Box 1431
Dublin 2

FatherLen

i'm sure i would form an opinion on this but unfortunately i dont give a shit.

jimmynokia

mackg wrote: »

Link and quote please I have no idea what this is about.

its been in every paper the last few days
http://www.google.com/m/url?client=ms-android-samsung&ei=uLAuTvhViNONB9yYqKgC&q=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/melanie-tells-of-shock-over-being-lsquosackedrsquo-as-head-of-unicef-2830214.html&source=android-home&ved=0CBwQFjAD&usg=AFQjCNEx_UpUBZflohy2e7StdyrgC5p2gQ

bnt

The story in the Independent is basically that she was told to keep Ryan away from any public activity associated with UNICEF. Why would they do that? It's not explained in the story, so I can only surmise it was to do with his public behaviour.

She's claiming that she was fired because of him, but that's not necessarily the whole story. She has links to the ANC in South Africa, too, something that would concern me more than any celebrity shenanigans.

jimmynokia

Badgermonkey wrote: »

Can I see the article? Post your Daily Star to:

Couldn't Care Less
PO Box 1431
Dublin 2

very mature response regarding somebody doing good for charity

mackg

GERRY RYAN'S ex-partner last night revealed her "deep shock" after being told she had lost her job due to the publicity over his death.
Melanie Verwoerd said she was informed over a week ago by email that she was no longer executive director of UNICEF Ireland despite working "tirelessly" for the charity and bringing in unprecedented funds.
It is not known whether Ms Verwoerd's contract was up for renewal. UNICEF refused to comment last night.
Ms Verwoerd recently said that her job running the children's charity was helping her to cope with the death of the RTE broadcaster, who was found dead at his rented home on Leeson Street in Dublin in April last year.
An inquest into his death found the 53-year-old had traces of cocaine in his system.
"It is with sincere regret that I confirm I am no longer the executive director of UNICEF Ireland," Ms Verwoerd said.
"The Board of UNICEF Ireland felt that the media interest in my relationship with Gerry Ryan, who died on April 30 2010, was damaging UNICEF and they terminated my employment by email at 17.26pm on Friday July 15.
"This is despite a doubling of the income for UNICEF Ireland in 2010, which was the best financial year since its inception."
She pointed out that the results she achieved were in an "extremely difficult economic climate".
"The profile of the organisation for which I have worked tirelessly has never been higher in Ireland," she added.
"I am deeply shocked by the decision of the chairman and the board of UNICEF Ireland, who had as recently as June expressed their gratitude for my efforts on the occasion of the charity's annual report.
"Despite what was, personally, a very difficult and distressing period my work was never affected and the interests of UNICEF were always top of my agenda."
She said the performance of the organisation during this period spoke for itself.
"I am extremely sad to leave UNICEF. It is an organisation of exceptional people committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and to whom I am still fully committed."
She said it was especially unfortunate that she was "being forced to leave" at a time there was a famine and humanitarian crisis in Eastern Africa threatening the lives and well-being of millions of children.
Despite the sad circumstances of her departure from her job, she urged people to continue to support the charity.
Ms Verwoerd, a former South African Ambassador to Ireland, was appointed UNICEF Ireland Executive Director in April 2007. It is understood she was informed of the board's decision by chairman Paul Connolly.
However, her dismissal has not been formally announced and Ms Verwoerd was still listed as UNICEF's Executive Director on its website last night.
When contacted by the Irish Independent, the charity said it was not prepared to comment on the revelations.
"UNICEF is not commenting," said a spokesman.
Sources said the board was unhappy that recent media coverage of the launch of a UNICEF report on young people's mental health was "overshadowed" by Ms Verwoerd's comments on her former partner.
"If there's something the last year has taught me, it is that life can be very cruel, and there is very little you can control about life," said the 43-year-old.
"So the things I can control, like being able to make a difference in whether children get malaria or not, or whether children die from cholera, or starvation -- those things I choose to do something about and I have focused my energy on that."
The UNICEF board includes Mr Connolly, an associate of businessman Denis O'Brien, PJ Mara, who was also Charlie Haughey's press secretary, as well as Mr Haughey's one-time solicitor Ivor Fitzpatrick, and the wife of Penneys founder Arthur Ryan, Alma Carroll.

Paparazzo

According to the indo article, TV3 said they dropped a UNICEF teleton because she was sacked. Their reason was that UNICEF can't attract enough celebritys without her. Nice work TV3.

Liam Byrne

It is not known whether Ms Verwoerd's contract was up for renewal.

What excuse-for-a-newspaper printed a ****load of speculation without checking the most pertinent fact ?

Elba101

"Melanie had a fantastic contacts book in terms of celebrities, who were all very interested in taking part," TV3 director of programming Ben Frow told the Irish Independent.

"But the telethon is not going to happen now as she is no longer with UNICEF."

Christ, that seems a bit harsh!

hardCopy

jimmynokia wrote: »

Badgermonkey wrote: »

Can I see the article? Post your Daily Star to:

Couldn't Care Less
PO Box 1431
Dublin 2

very mature response regarding somebody doing good for charity

For charity or for salary?

Gone Drinking

Seriously UNICEF.. what did you think would happen after you did this?

temply

jimmynokia wrote: »

very mature response regarding somebody doing good for charity

am sure she gets paid enough!!!

Jennyrose

I think this sacking is appalling and I came onto Boards to see if anyone had picked up on it.

I fail to see how a person sharing her grief for her lost partner is an issue for a charity. She was pretty graceful about it under the circumstances. Not once did I ever get an impression that she was protesting too much.

She has raised over 6 million for this particular charity since she started, I was reading. Is this an employment failure?

No, it seems to me that these so called charities post celtic tiger bull, have lost the plot in terms of message. In this case, it is children. Don't forget the children. All means justify ends.

And the hypocrisy of Unicef, which approaches personalities to highlight it's work, well its cheeky to suddenly pull a face at apparently unseemly behaviour.

Before anyone accuses me of being a mate of Melanie Verwoerd, I am most certainly not. And the 'I don't care' brigade can put a pipe in their mouth as well because this is the kind of rubbish that relates back to how our country is run and how it will be run in the future. Mediocre will win out.

Spread

My take was that GR was acting as a self appointed MC at these events. OK you get a celeb for free but UNICEF would not have wanted a hyped up, toked up, pissed up trencherman. It was not the X Factor. And Melanie would have had been told about this. They, ultimately, pay her ...... so they can call the shots. Maybe lose a bit this year but some other high powered person will step into her shoes and do equally well. The quoted speech that she made was irrelevant and should not have been made during working hours. Ryan was a cokehead (thereby a criminal) and that is not the type of thing that UNICEF wants to be associated with. Simple as that.

MsFifers

I really think there is more to this story. She got her version of events out VERY quickly. I would be v. surprised if the board of Unicef are completely unaware of employment law. You can't just dismiss someone in her position as suddenly as has been claimed. If they did however - she would certainly have a case to take against them. I reckon there might be a bit more to it though...

Ash.J.Williams

The articles are low on facts as far as I can see. As stated it is not known if her contract was up for renewal, which would mean the media are guessing she was fired.

dilallio

Did she actually get sacked, or is it the case that her contract wasn't renewed?

Logical Fallacy

jimmynokia wrote: »

very mature response regarding somebody doing good for charity

Is this gonna be one of those thread where the OP gives about people not taking the subject seriously?

If so...

*popcorn*

temply

Something about her I do not like.

Ash.J.Williams

dilallio wrote: »

Did she actually get sacked, or is it the case that her contract wasn't renewed?

I think she had an open contract timewise, and they just ended it?...Wonder was Gerry the type to turn up and act like a buffoon at events?

deandean

What a bunch of fooking idiots in UNICEF. Here is yet another "charity" organisation that is more interested in it's internal politicking than in raising funds.

Melanie, I am really sad for what has happened to you. Not much consolation I know, but based on the published figures you have been a star performer.

I can only suggest you Sue the Ass off Unicef, clear them out, and donate the proceeds to a reputable charity.

Spread

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

I think she had an open contract timewise, and they just ended it?...Wonder was Gerry the type to turn up and act like a buffoon at events?

Quite possibly as he was out of control. If people say he wasn't, then his dealer was ripping him off even more. The guards closed down that inquiry pretty sharpish as well. As this is AH, I imagine someone will mention the Illuminati. Oh Jasus, there I did it

fat__tony

This seems to be a strong case of unfair dismissal.

Ash.J.Williams

fat__tony wrote: »

This seems to be a strong case of unfair dismissal.

she may not have been an employee? would that matter?

stimpson

And so forth.

jos28

Have to agree with Spread and MsFifers, illegal substances were found during Gerry's autopsy. According to Melanie, Gerry was her soulmate,the love of her life and yet she claims to have no idea that he was involved with cocaine. In my opinion this shows a lack of judgment on her part. If she did know, then UNICEF were right to drop her as a representative. Although as MsFifer points out, I think there is a lot more to this than we know at this stage.

temply

jos28 wrote: »

Have to agree with Spread and MsFifers, illegal substances were found during Gerry's autopsy. According to Melanie, Gerry was her soulmate,the love of her life and yet she claims to have no idea that he was involved with cocaine. In my opinion this shows a lack of judgment on her part. If she did know, then UNICEF were right to drop her as a representative. Although as MsFifer points out, I think there is a lot more to this than we know at this stage.

I have to say I do find it kinda difficult to believe that she didn't know.

jos28

temply wrote: »

I have to say I do find it kinda difficult to believe that she didn't know.

So do I. Although I'd imagine Melanie will take legal proceedings and I'm sure all will be revealed then.

The most impressive thing about this story is how it warranted front page coverage. It really is a non story, Partner of Dead Coked up Radio DJ Doesn't Have Contract Renewed at UNICEF is hardly worthy of anything more than a line of two in the gossip section.

jimmynokia

Deleted User wrote: »

The most impressive thing about this story is how it warranted front page coverage. It really is a non story, Partner of Dead Coked up Radio DJ Doesn't Have Contract Renewed at UNICEF is hardly worthy of anything more than a line of two in the gossip section.

front page is non story?

Badgermonkey

jimmynokia wrote: »

front page is non story?

Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster, The Sun, 13th March 1986.

http://sunheadlines.blogspot.com/2008/11/classics-freddie-starr-ate-my-hamster.html

mackg

fat__tony wrote: »

This seems to be a strong case of unfair dismissal.

what's she going to do, sue UNICEF?

Dangerous Man

This stinks. It doesn't stink that she was possibly fired; it stinks how quickly this has shot into print and how she's pleading her case in the newspaper. This is a non-story and frankly it's odd that it made the front page. It's also extremely undignified for her to plead her case in the media like this.

FlutterinBantam

Jeez, very poor commercial perception by the contributors here.

UNICEF are concerned about their image amongst the ABC population of this Island. The fcukers who have money. M'kay.......M'kay?:rolleyes:

They are not interested in the input of a bunch of crusties who idealistically see a wrong doing here,but are totally oblivious of commercial reality.



Good call Unicef

Spread

Dangerous Man wrote: »

This stinks. It doesn't stink that she was possibly fired; it stinks how quickly this has shot into print and how she's pleading her case in the newspaper. This is a non-story and frankly it's odd that it made the front page. It's also extremely undignified for her to plead her case in the media like this.

Because it's a slow day in the news room

And combing out the last few strands of Ryan's memory

But the very fact that it's made boards should be enough to make it retrospectively a retro story

Spread

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Jeez, very poor commercial perception by the contributors here.

UNICEF are concerned about their image amongst the ABC population of this Island. The fcukers who have money. M'kay.......M'kay?:rolleyes:

They are not interested in the input of a bunch of crusties who idealistically see a wrong doing here,but are totally oblivious of commercial reality.
Good call Unicef

Stop fluttering and read all the posts. You'll find that most are in agreement with you. Or should I say, you are in agreement with most

FlutterinBantam

Spread wrote: »

Stop fluttering and read all the posts. You'll find that most are in agreement with you. Or should I say, you are in agreement with most

Aah, you are right, I over reacted to a few defensive posts.

I did read all the posts, but you are correct in your assessment.

Sorry 'bout that..

Spread

OK my child, you are forgiven. Next! (flutters eyebrows and lashes)

Badgermonkey

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

UNICEF are concerned about their image amongst the ABC population of this Island. The fcukers who have money. M'kay.......M'kay?:rolleyes:

Perhaps they'll spin it that way.

More likely it's internal politics at play in the organisation and this is merely a mean dose of expediency.

Nodin

bnt wrote: »

She's claiming that she was fired because of him, but that's not necessarily the whole story. She has links to the ANC in South Africa, too, something that would concern me more than any celebrity shenanigans.

You're concerned that she has links to the elected government of South Africa? Why?

Dangerous Man

Spread wrote: »

Because it's a slow day in the news room

And combing out the last few strands of Ryan's memory

But the very fact that it's made boards should be enough to make it retrospectively a retro story

Nonsense. There are slow days but this is taking it a tad too far. This is suss.

southsiderosie

I think the Noel Wardick firing at the Irish Red Cross is a much more serious issue that what happened with this woman; it's ridiculous that this would be considered a front-page story.

Delancey

Its front page news because we are in the ' silly season ' - simples !

There is a saying in the PR/Communications world that once someone becomes a bigger story than the organistaion they serve then they have to go.
A fine example of this would be Tony Blairs press secretary Alistair Campbell who started to be the news itself - he had to leave and he knew it himself.
Celebrities have their uses but they can at times ' overshadow ' the cause they are promoting.
Sad fact for Melanie Verwoerd is that all her recent exposure has been as the partner of Gerry Ryan and not as head of UNICEF , I'm surprised she wasn't fired sooner.

Nodin

Delancey wrote: »

Its front page news because we are in the ' silly season ' - simples !

There is a saying in the PR/Communications world that once someone becomes a bigger story than the organistaion they serve then they have to go.
A fine example of this would be Tony Blairs press secretary Alistair Campbell who started to be the news itself - he had to leave and he knew it himself.
Celebrities have their uses but they can at times ' overshadow ' the cause they are promoting.
Sad fact for Melanie Verwoerd is that all her recent exposure has been as the partner of Gerry Ryan and not as head of UNICEF , I'm surprised she wasn't fired sooner.

Indeedy. Unfortunate, as theres nothing to suggest she was anything other than dedicated to what she was doing. The way the coverage of the 'departure' in the Indo/Sindo constantly drags Ryan into it is indicative of the problem, really.

gk5000

She was fired/let go because she was a self serving media whore...
...which is saying something given UNICEF, a division of the UN, the most corrupt self serving organisation on earth...

..worried about their coprporate donations to fund the next fleet of white Landcruisers to lord it over the natives wherever they next want to spread their worldview... which has absoutly nothing to do with charity.

General General

I wonder should I send off an old CV... I think I can guarantee to keep Jim Corr away from any UNICEF events, I am sure that will play in my favour.

gk5000

General General wrote: »

I wonder should I send off an old CV... I think I can guarantee to keep Jim Corr away from any UNICEF events, I am sure that will play in my favour.

I'd put Jim Corr way ahead of Melanie Verwoerd and UNICEF in the protection of children! He'd only fry your head if you were old enough to understand, while the other shower are happy to have kids rotting in orphanages.

etymon

I think if it's true that she did such a good job for the charity, then there is no reason to let her go. If it was a Gerry Ryan issue, that's solved now - he's dead. I feel bad for her to be honest.
And I don't know why everyone's giving out about the Independent. This was front-page yesterday too (on the website anyway) - investigative journalism at its best, indeed.

reprazant

Broadsheet have a piece where it explains somewhat UNICEF's reasoning for it.

“It appears that the situation between her and and her fellow board members became irreconcilable last month. In a considerable publicity coup the organisation’s latest high-profile recruit, golfer Rory Mcllroy stopped off to see the aid effort in Haiti en route to his victorious appearance at the US Open.

At the same time Miss Verwoerd was launching a UNICEF report in Dublin where yet again she was asked about life after Gerry. Her brief response was splashed across the Irish Independent…Her comments relegated Mr Mcllroy to page seven.”

Its a bit unfair on Miss Verwoerd, but I can completely understand UNICEF's point of view. What is the point of organising any of these things if all the papers want to hear about is Gerry f**king Ryan.