Autism Community Network
Annual General Meeting
Date:27 February 2016
Location:ACN Office Illawong Community Centre
Present:
Claudia WaltersElizabeth RobertsElizabeth DiabErin NormoyleEffie Giannisis
Jane TzakosLora AgiusSteve DrakoulisTerry Lynch Dick Goodfellow
Warren ThompsonMagdalena OszywaBetty Slatyer
Apologies:Teresa SakalukJamie BlakeJan WrightNaomi Killalea Mina Roberts
A quorum was present and the President declared the meeting open at 11.15 am.
Agenda items are listed in order of discussion.
President Warren Thompson welcomed all guests
Acceptance of minutes of previous annual general meeting
Warren informed the meeting that we have been advised by outgoing our Secretary Fiona Cox that due to a computer failure she has lost the previous year’s minutes from the AGM and notes taken were thrown out when she moved house. Warren researched acceptable procedures for failure to produce minutes and arranged for a Summary of Minutes of last AGM to be written.
Operations Manager Steve Drakoulis drafted those minutes and their contents covered at meeting.
As all major activities from last meeting had been photographed, Steve was able to recall much of the content.
Attendees from last year’s meeting reminded Steve of need to include appointment of auditor and minutes were accepted pending this correction.
Review of actions from previous annual general meeting:
The main points from last meeting were:
- the need to provide more support for Steve to be able to operate effectively. Steve now has help in the office and there are more volunteers running our activities, but it remains a critical need to keep providing him with adequate support.
- Expansion into NSW Rural regions had been discussed but with the loss of Claudia Walters as Strategic Manager this plan has now been abandoned.
President’s report
Warren thanked all people who have been involved with ACN and shared some of our achievements during the past year.
He paid tribute to our C.I.O. Timothy Walters who passed away during the past year and the impact his loss has had on us.
He mentioned that we need to start ‘recruiting’ people with more senior management skills into the team and onto the Board.
Founder’s comments
ACN Founder and Operations Manager Steve Drakoulis also expressed his deep gratitude to all those who give their time and energy to help the ACNN run. He particularly mentioned St.George Coordinator Liz Diab and his office team.
Steve announced that we are to start new services in Leichhardt, Turramurra. Auburn and the Illawarra.
To demonstrate how much good will and the level of professionalism ACNN has reached, Steve briefly spoke about relationships and projects with the following organisations in just the last few months.
- Carers NSW – helped develop new workshop to go state wide for parents and teens.
- Another round of funding to give out iPads to nonverbal children with ASD.
- Building a Sensory room for Marrickville High School
- Being invited to be oart of consultation group with Disabilities Minister on Carers Act
- Production of Police Training DVD
- Assistance Dogs Australia
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Magdalensa Oszywa presented her report.
Resolution to accept it was nominated by Jane Tzakos, seconded by Lora Agius. Passed.
Questions to Directors
Nil
Acceptance of financial statements
Acceptance of annual report
Appointment of and questions to the auditor
Election of directors
Dissolvement of Current Management Committee
All current members of the Board stood down and all positions were declared open.
Election of Office Bearer Roles
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Warren Thompson be appointed President.
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Jane Tzakos be appointed Vice President.
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Magdalena Oszywa be appointed Treasurer.
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Fiona Cox be appointed Secretary.
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Terry Lynch be appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Board
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Timothy Walters be appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Board
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Najwa Sawan be appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Board
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Lora Agius be appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Board
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Jamie Blake be appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Board
On the motion of one member and seconded by another, it was RESOLVED THAT Geoff Marks be appointed as an Ordinary Member of the Board
Other Business
Item / Description / Responsible1 / Welcome and introductions / President
2 / Apologies / Secretary
3 / Review of actions from previous annual general meeting / President
4 / Acceptance of minutes of previous annual general meeting / President
5 / President’s report / President
6 / Founder’s comments
7 / Treasurer’s report / Treasurer
8 / Questions to directors / President
9 / Other
10 / Acceptance of financial statements / Treasurer
11 / Acceptance of annual report / President
12 / Appointment of and questions to the auditor / Treasurer
13 / Election of directors / Returning officer
14 / Meeting close / President