The landscape in which our professional association operates has evolved significantly since the last review of the constitution that we current are governed by. As we navigate a rapidly changing professional environment, it is essential that our governing framework remains relevant, agile, and reflective of the needs and aspirations of our members. The purpose of the constitution is to provide a foundation for how we operate. It empowers the Board to make decisions that allows the society to operate, guide policy decisions, all for the benefit of our members. However, as new challenges and opportunities emerge, it has become evident that our current constitution may no longer adequately address the realities we face today. This include the use of technology, required governance standards and ensuring the society has the right framework to be agile in how it operates. One of the goals of the 2023 strategy was to review the ASVO constitution. An initial step taken by the Board was to engage the Associations Forum, a national peak member body that provides advice on governance and other matters to societies and charities. Their feedback provided a list of recommendations for changes to bring the existing constitution up to current contemporary standards. The current review is a necessary step in our ongoing efforts to remain a dynamic, relevant, and forward-looking association. The Board thanks you in advance for your participation in this important undertaking. We are committed to engaging our members in this process, offering multiple opportunities for feedback and discussion. Your insights will be invaluable in crafting a constitution that not only upholds the integrity of our association but also empowers us to meet the future with confidence and clarity. | |||||||||||||||||||
 | Proposed Changes Please download the explanatory memorandum that provides an overview of the specific amendments sought by the Board and the reasoning for each intended change. Consultation Period: The consultation period will be open from 1 November 2024 to 25 April 2025. We encourage all members to provide their input on these proposed changes. Your feedback is invaluable in ensuring the ASVO Constitution reflects the views and needs of our community. | ||||||||||||||||||
This explanatory memorandum outlines the proposed changes to the ASVO Constitution. The purpose of these amendments is to enhance the governance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the ASVO while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. To ensure transparency and member participation in the process, we have established several methods for members to provide their feedback on the proposed changes. These methods are designed to accommodate diverse preferences and ensure every member has the opportunity to share their views. They include: Questionnaire:A questionnaire is open, allowing for structured feedback on the proposed changes. This method provides an easy and convenient way for members to express their thoughts on specific aspects of the amendments. Access the questionnaire here Q&A Meetings:A series of Q&A meetings will be held to offer members an interactive platform to ask questions, seek clarifications, and voice concerns about the changes. These sessions will be virtual to ensure accessibility for all members. Register your interest Thursday, 7 November 2024 Register your interest Tuesday, 12 November 2024 Written Feedback:Members are invited to submit written feedback on the proposed constitutional amendments. This can be done via email or traditional mail. Send feedback to asvo@asvo.com.au or The ASVO values and encourages member participation in this process, as these changes are aimed at strengthening our collective mission. All feedback will be carefully reviewed and considered before a revised version of the Constitution is put to members at a Special General Meeting later this financial year. Consultation Dates
The majority of the proposed changes seek to simplify the constitution. As methods of working change so must the constitution so that it reflects how the ASVO operates in practice. Several of the changes recommend moving detailed process to by-laws. By-laws derive their authority from the constitution and can be considered an extension or attachment to the constitution. The by-laws provide detailed rules for implementing the provisions in the constitution. Though they hold a degree of contractual obligation, but they are more flexible than the constitution and can be updated by the Board without the need to call a special general meeting. Two changes are proposed for the Board structure: appointing skills-based Directors and adjusting terms. The current model poses challenges, such as limited control over diversity and difficulty finding members with necessary skills to help the ASVO grow and prosper Boards that have a diverse group of people and that contain a mix of elected and appointed directors potentially make better decisions because they can balance institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives. Each of the proposed changes is set out with the following information: Rules(s): This is the clause we are referring to. We have not included the legal wording to save space, however you may refer to the Constitution if needed. View the current constitution here PDF Context: We have tried to convey the sense of the rule. Board recommends: The proposed change. This is not the actual wording that will be in the revised constitution (we will obtain legal advice on how best to capture the meaning). Reason: This briefly outlines why the Board believe the change will improve the Constitution and allow us to serve you better. Your input is invaluable in shaping a constitution that reflects the views and needs of our community. Thank you for your time and thoughtful participation. | |||||||||||||||||||
Please download the explanatory memorandum that provides an overview of the specific amendments sought by the Board and the reasoning for each intended change.
