As valued members of CDAA, the National Executive Committee, in consultation with all current Division Presidents are writing to inform you about some proposed changes to our Association's Constitution. These changes have been unanimously supported by the NEC and Division Committees. We now encourage you to review and share your thoughts on these proposed amendments.
Background:
Our Association's Constitution serves as the foundation for our operations, guiding our purpose, structure, and decision-making processes. To ensure that it remains modern and effective, the NEC has undertaken a review and identified two key areas that may benefit from updates.
Proposed Changes:
The proposed changes are outlined below and primarily focus on Division Committee meetings and formalisation of Committee positions.
- Division AGMs to be removed and replaced with a Special General Meeting as and when required.
- Voting to elect Division Committee Members was previously conducted via an AGM. In October 2023, Division Committee voting was streamlined and centralised to Head Office and will remain unchanged.
- Inclusion of the Division Vice President role and Division General Committee Members which provide accountability and recognition to our hard-working volunteers.
Key Points:
- A Special General Meeting can be held in all Divisions by the end of October every two years. It can also be held online, and its purpose is to congratulate and recognise new and/or returning Division Committee Members. AGMs will no longer be required.
- The role of Division Vice President and General Committee Members is to be included into the Constitution. This change ensures alignment to current NEC descriptors and Committee structure. This also offers the Division Committee a formal succession plan and more leadership opportunities.
- Under the Incorporations Act of South Australia 1985 (Division 3, 23A (v)), it is a requirement for CDAA to hold a national AGM every year. There is no requirement in the Act for each Division to hold an AGM. The requirement for Division AGMs is an internal matter for the CDAA constitution and procedures and can be altered or removed if deemed appropriate.
- No other risks including financial, are expected with this change.
In making these changes, the major benefits to Division Committees are:
- reduced time pressures to organise meetings.
- less costs and administrative tasks, paperwork and minute taking, all of which add up to valuable time that Committee Members need to set aside as a volunteer.
- additional volunteer role by way of a Vice President and formalising General Committee Member responsibilities.
Timeline:
The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 14 May, 2024, where eligible Members are encouraged to attend this meeting, discuss the topic and vote on these proposed changes. Ahead of the meeting, we would kindly ask you to submit any questions you may have about the proposed amendments. Please submit your feedback in writing to Susan Hervey, CEO at [email protected] by Friday, 5 April, 2024.
Your participation in this process is crucial to ensuring that the proposed changes truly reflect the collective voice and needs of our Association. Together the NEC and Division Presidents believe that these amendments will better equip our Committees and help CDAA to better achieve our shared goals.
Issued By:
Susan Hervey, CEO on behalf of:
Julie Street, CDAA National Secretary
7 March 2024
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