Position 1

MEMBERS’ BALLOT

State Structure or National Structure?

Background Information

In the June 2008 Newsletter, I informed members of the situation that has been confronting AusAPT for at least the last six years. The issues to which I am referring include continuously declining membership numbers, and hence declining income and the general reluctance of members with respect to serving on National and State Councils and attending Branch meetings, activities and conferences. Moreover, we are budgeting for a deficit budget for the year 2008/09. This year, for the first time since we have been incorporated, we had to cancel the biennial, National Conference because there was a lack of interest and/or resources to organise and manage the not inconsiderable effort required to present such an activity.

National Councillors, as Directors of the Association, decided at their last meeting to give all AusAPT financial members the opportunity to vote on the future structure of AusAPT. The circumstances precipitating this decision have been outlined in the June Newsletter. It is the majority view of National Councillors that the Association should restructure as state-based associations, incorporated in their respective States. In other words, each State Branch would incorporate as a separate association, with its own Branch Council, consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, plus other Councillors if required. Although the state associations would be autonomous and independent, the National interests of AusAPT would be preserved by a collegiate comprised of the State Presidents meeting on an ad hoc basis to address matters of mutual interest, eg the Website, the Type Review, Newsletter, Biennial National Conference.

State associations would issue membership renewals and receive the total membership subscriptions, instead of the current policy under the National structure where the total funds from renewals are remitted to the National account. Because of the cost structure of maintaining the existing National structure, it has not always been possible in recent years to re-distribute a percentage of these funds to State Branches, which occurred in 2007 and is the case for 2008. This would not be the case with state-based associations where members’ subscriptions would remain within the State. It is the considered opinion of the majority of National Councillors that this state-based structure is the most appropriate way to restructure the organisation, to preserve a viable and continuing AusAPT presence in Australia, albeit as self-funded State associations.

Since the distribution of the last Newsletter to members, there has been much discussion amongst the membership about the pros and cons of the proposal presented above. Not surprisingly, given the differences of preferences within this Type community, there are members who do not agree with the proposition outlined above, and it is entirely their democratic right to do so. However, please keep in mind that it is also the National Councillors’ legal responsibility to put before the members, the situation as they see it from a Directors’ perspective. This has brought us to this position where the matter must be presented to the members to decide what they think is best for the Association, ie independent state-based associations or retention of the current National structure.

The members who are not persuaded to the proposition of state-based associations have discussed how they may preserve the current AusAPT National structure. To that end, they have proposed an interim National Council to oversee the organisation, until such time as their election/appointment may be confirmed at the 2008 Annual General Meeting which must be held between July 01 and December 31, 2008. However, no such appointments may occur unless and until the present incumbents of these positions resign or retire, as their terms of office do not expire formally until December 31, 2008. Assuming these resignations occur, the remaining National Councillors (the State Presidents) would need to endorse the nominations for casual vacancies. Therefore, to give effect to the retention of the AusAPT National structure, the proposed new National Council would comprise the following office bearers:-

§ President – Philip Kerr, (INTP), Queensland

§ Vice President – Ivana Crestani, (ENTP), New South Wales/ACT

§ Secretary – Daniel Foster, (INFP), Queensland

§ Treasurer – Ric Taylor, (INFJ), New South Wales/ACT

§ Public Officer – Mary McGuiness, (ENFP), New South Wales/ACT

What to Do?

Members of AusAPT have a clear choice between the two options presented in this preamble and you are asked to make a decision one way or the other on the ballot paper attached to this communication. If you are attracted to the proposition advocated by the National Council for state-based associations, you will place a cross (X) in the box alongside the relevant statement. Alternatively, if you are attracted to the proposition to retain the National structure with the listed candidates for office bearer positions, you will place a cross (X) alongside that statement. Attached are two envelopes, along with a ballot paper. One of the envelopes is stamped and addressed and you are requested to record your name and address on the back of that envelope. Would you complete the ballot paper and put it in the unmarked envelope and place that envelope in the stamped addressed envelope to be posted to the Returning Officer, ie Office Logistics, by July 25, 2008. You are encouraged to give this matter your serious consideration for the continuing presence of AusAPT in Australia.

Thank you for your interest and cooperation.

Kindest regards,

Trevor Rigby

National President June 23, 2008