Growing together through learning…
Kia ora koutou,
For those who don’t know me, I’m Ayyam O’Brien, a marriage celebrant based in Christchurch, and I’m delighted to introduce myself in my new role on the CANZ National Executive as the Education/Ongoing Professional Development Lead. Following my successful nomination and our face-to-face meeting in Auckland in September, I’m excited to be stepping into this role and contributing to the continued growth of our celebrant community.
One of the things I love about celebrancy is that there is always something new to learn. Our profession is constantly evolving, from changing expectations and modern ceremony ideas to the practical skills that help us feel confident, prepared and supported in the work we do. No matter how long we’ve been celebrants, there is always an opportunity to learn from one another, share experiences and discover a fresh perspective.
For me, professional development isn’t just about attending workshops or ticking a box. It’s about building confidence, keeping our knowledge current, finding inspiration and having the opportunity to connect with others who understand the unique joys and challenges of our profession.
As I settle into this role, I’d love to hear from you. What topics would you find valuable? Are there skills you’d like to develop, questions you’d love answered, or areas of celebrancy you’d like to explore further? Perhaps there’s something you’ve always wanted to know more about, or a challenge you’d appreciate some guidance with. You can get in touch with me via my email should you wish celebratinglove101@gmail.com.
My hope is to help create learning opportunities that are practical, relevant and genuinely useful to our members, whatever stage of their celebrant journey they’re at.
CANZ is strengthened by the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm of its members, and I’m looking forward to drawing on that collective wisdom as we continue to learn and grow together.
Here’s to sharing ideas, embracing new opportunities and continuing to be the very best celebrants we can be.
Ngā mihi nui,
Ayyam O’Brien
Education/Ongoing Professional Development Lead
CANZ National Executive
