Meet The Team - Strength Coaches, Youth Trainers

Name: Mike Dodge (AKA Dodgy, ‘cos of the name... not my humour!)

Top Five Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Adaptability, Assurance and Woo

What do you do at CYS? I have the privilege of leading the CYS team; I spend lots of my time coaching and cheerleading leaders at many levels of leadership to do their roles really well.

What is on your Santa’s wish list? That my voice would break and that I would have enough facial hair to grow a Mo for Movember!

What exotic places would you most like to visit? Definitely Prague because all the books I have read makes it sound so beautiful and romantic (well ok not the war books and movies... but the rest do!) And also any Pacific white beached Islands

Name: Tessa Dodge

Top Five Strengths: Individualisation, Maximizer, Connectedness, Strategic, Adaptability.

What do you do at CYS? I love going to work to hang out with the others. Most of the day is spent dreaming about new ways to introduce Strengths in NZ and Australia and then trying to pull it off. I love the opportunity of meeting the most incredible people and hearing their unique stories and discovering their strengths.

If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be? To click my fingers and be where ever I need or want to be, instantly. To be an amazing artist, and to have 100% control of the weather.

What is your favourite thing to do after a manic week at work? Arrive home to a perfect house, (thanks to a cleaner) a gourmet meal to share with family and friends, (thanks to a chef.) Wonderful conversations and a quiet massage to finish the evening… (Dreams are free!)

What do you love about working at CYS? The best thing really has to be getting to go home with the boss.

Name: Laura (Lau), or more recently - Moira.

Top Five Strengths: Woo, Positivity, Adaptability, Empathy, Connectedness

What do you do at CYS? I’m a compulsive pen labelling, drink spilling, cookie eating, envelope licking, personal assistant to everybody, AKA – Receptionist!

What type of music are you loving on your ipod? I will not deny having the Lion King and Aladdin on there – reliving my childhood, oh yeah!

What is your favourite thing to do after a manic week at work? Chuck the sneaks on and go for a long run.... to the supermarket, to get a bag of malteasers! Ah, bliss.

What is a secret talent or super power you have? The Viking Gene, it’s the ability to know how to get places and navigate your way to anywhere without a map, apparently only boys have it, but I’m the exception!

Name: Jocelyn

Top Five Strengths: Individualization, Connectedness, Ideation, Arranger, Adaptability

What do you do at CYS? I get to tell people what’s GREAT about them for 1 and a half hours 10 times a week!!! Through the Individual coaching sessions I do, I am totally inspired daily of how God has made people so awesomely perfect for the things He has for them…

If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be? For an unlimited supply of Mango and Strawberries in my fridge… For a good hair day EVERY day!! And for people to realise how incredible they are and to use it for Kingdom purposes!

What is a secret talent or super power you have? I can create an amazing meal from any pantry or fridge supply in 45minutes or less!

What do you love about working at CYS? People! Knowing them, understanding what inspires them and facilitating the possibilities of that happening!

Name: Adrian, Age

Top Five Strengths: Input, Intellection, Developer, Connectedness, Consistency.

What do you do at CYS? Well mainly I am in charge of deep dish toastie production. I have been known to outsource this. In my spare time, I slap together a little event over Easter Weekend too.

What is your specialty meal that you cook to impress? I have a penchant for baking bread actually (from scratch – no breadmakers here). I like the process almost more than the end result. A bit like coffee. Perhaps even a bit like life!

Tell us something random about yourself? My primary school reports said I was severely underdeveloped in co-ordination. I ended being a professional drummer for 10 years. Don’t believe everything your teachers tell you!

Name: Truus

Top Five Strengths: Includer, Consistency, Harmony, Positivity, Responsibility

What do you do at CYS? I am the Chief Financial Controller and modern day Robin Hood.

What is on your Santa’s wish list? That finally lollies would start falling from the sky, that my husband would begin listening to me and that a Rainbow would end in my back yard

Something random about me? Well I kind of collect McDonalds toys, and keep them all unused in zip lock bags away from the prying hands of my family that want to play with them.

Name: Sam Perry, Sampy, Super Sam, SZAM!

Top Five Strengths: Arranger, Maximizer, Harmony, Responsibility, Developer

What do you do at CYS? I was originally part of the EC team then they decided they wanted to see more of me so took me on board as the event manager.

If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be? To instantly gain mad dance skills like Michael Jackson, Usher and JT. Secondly I would really like an unlimited supply of yummy pasta and my last wish would be to be able to fly anywhere in the world whenever.

What is your specialty meal that you cook to impress? Cook… is that like ordering McDonalds?

What do you love about working at CYS? Working with an awesome team and knowing what we are working for has a great purpose… and eating toasties for lunch at the office.

Name: Karen, or in my other life: Kaza, Couzy Bro or Faster Pastor

Top Five Strengths: Responsibility, Input, Learner, Belief, Relator

What do you do at CYS? Strengthening Families Counsellor, but really that's just sitting around yarning all day, over a cup of coffee (real coffee that is) while trying to look busy.

What type of music are you loving on your iPod? What's an iPod?

What is a secret talent or super power you have? If i told you it wouldn't be a secret, and i can't break confidentiality!!!

Tell us something random about yourself? One day when I am older and greyer I am going to dye my hair bright blue, smoke one of those really fat cigars and ride one of those red scooters with a flag on the back.