NSW/ACT Chapter Annual General Meeting 2016

The Annual General Meeting of the NSW/ACT Chapter of Educate Plus Limited ACN 137660916, was held on: Thursday 24 November at Loreto Kirribilli.

  1. Meeting opened by Bruce Perry, current NSW/ACT Chapter President, at 5.10pm
  1. Present:

Catherine Corny St Paul’s Grammar

Lyn JarvisSt Andrew’s Cathedral School

Bruce PerrySt Andrew’s Cathedral School

Sarah HeydonEmil Ford Lawyers (sponsor)

Alexandra MacaulayShore School

Fiona McQueenSt Andrew’s College

Sue FanningLeonards Advertising (sponsor)

Kate FaithornLeonards Advertising (sponsor)

Richard FaithornLeonards Advertising (sponsor)

Nicole CrabbGlenaeon

Karen ScottGlenaeon

Di LawrenceBrigidine College

David OsborneThe King’s School

Grace ParainoLoreto Normanhurst

Myfanwy StanfieldAscham School

Yvette GranieroSanta Sabina College

Marilyn RickardSt Catherine’s Waverley

Lyn O’NeillSt Vincent’s College

Yvette VignandoAbbotsleigh

Melinda MeyerLoreto Kirribilli

Kate CareyRedlands

Michael LightMondo Mentor

Neil McWhanellEducate Plus

Tina FlemingEducate Plus

  1. Apologies:

Paul McShane, Geoff Anderson (Sponsor), Alecs Duric, David Anderson, Catherine Jeffcoat, Jo Mulligan, Jo Hutchens, Belinda Stoneham, Fiona Preston, Liz Pellinkof,

Valerie Bohle, Mandy Loomes

  1. Confirmation of the Minutes of the preceding NSW/ACT Chapter AGM

Moved by David Osborne Seconded by Myfanwy Stanfield

  1. Chapter President’s Report was given by Bruce Perry, Chapter President 2016

Bruce thanked the sponsors in attendance; Emil Ford, Mondo Mentor, Leonards and also acknowledged MGM and Geoff Anderson who were unable to attend.

Another fabulous year for Educate Plus both at an organisational level and at a chapter level. Highlighting the following:

  • The conference was the best yet. Very well organised and professional in its delivery with exemplary speakers who really knew and understood their audience. The social program too was the best ever and the gala dinner exceptional. The Chapter dinner at the conference was both well organised and great fun.
  • The Chapter PD at Santa Sabina too was extremely well organised and well received. Our SIGs this year were very well received with record numbers attending.
  • The chapter committee this year has been the largest ever and thanks were given to the support and input from all. A special mention for Grace Paraino and David Osborne who have both worked particularly hard this year. Also a special mention to some long serving committee members who are standing down after many years of service to the Chapter; Alison Handmer, Sarah Gregory and Julia Glass, all three have worked hard over the years and they were acknowledged as such and wished well in the future. Finally thanks to the staff at Educate Plus, particularly Neil.
  • Once again thanks was offered to our sponsors with a particular mention to Nick and Tony from MMG and David from Emil Ford.

A final message from the President as he stepped down after four years in the role: My four years as President has been a wonderful and utterly fulfilling experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with a group of such passionate professionals. I have made many long lasting friends. On top of this, four years on the Educate Plus Board has been an incredible learning experience with memories that will last my lifetime. I am extremely confident that I am leaving our Chapter in good hands and will still be around and look forward to seeing you all at events.

Confirmation of the report:

Accepted by Di Lawrence Seconded by Fiona McQueen

  1. CEO Report was given by Neil McWhanell:

Neil thanked the sponsors present for their support and attendance.

Another very successful year for Educate Plus, numbers continue to soar with a membership of 1500+ today.

The conference was a complete sell out and the most successful one yet. Looking ahead to 2018 International Conference in Auckland, planning is already under way with a great committee in place and some exciting ideas coming together. There are still opportunities to join the committee for those interested. An initial committee meeting was held at the weekend with much enthusiasm for the job at hand.

At the recent Board meeting in Auckland and following on from the results of the survey it was determined to introduce a 5thstream to our services at Educate Plus. Replacing the Alumni and Community Relations stream, which will now just be the Alumni stream, will be Events and Community Relations. This is in direct response to our recently held survey and feedback from the conference. Neil was excited to announce that Jackie Everett, Community Development Officer at Abbotsleigh, has offered to manage that stream for the 2018 International Conference and advise for the Chapter conference next year.

Neil went on to thank Bruce for the incredible service he has given to Educate Plus and the NSW Chapter in the four years as President. Bruce was congratulated for his hard work and effort and wished well in the future. Bruce will be officially thanked by the Board at the next Board meeting in March at Wenona.

A special mention and thanks was given to Di Lawrence who has been a long time member, Chapter committee member, previous President of the Chapter, Chairman of the Board and still sits on the Board in an advisory capacity.

Finally the outgoing committee was thanked for its hard work and service to Educate Plus. David Osborne was thanked for stepping up as President and the new committee were welcomed.

Neil reflected on why he enjoys his job so much, the people make it special. Educate Plus members are lovely people, they have to be, by default because of the field of work they are in.

  1. Chapter Treasurer’s Report

2016 Financial Report NSWACT Chapter was given by Lyn O’Neil, Honorary Treasurer 2016

2016 has been another successful year for the NSW/ACT Chapter. Overall there is a surplus of $9358 against a budget of $3000.

For the year as at the end of October 2016:

Chapter Income$15371

Chapter Expenses$ 6013

Chapter Surplus$ 9358

Income for the year came mainly from the PD day run in March at Santa Sabina. Thank you to Santa Sabina for the use of their facilities which ensured expenses were kept to a minimum.

Sponsorship contributed $6900. On behalf of the Chapter the treasurer would like to thank and acknowledge them for their support throughout 2016.

MMG Education

Emil Ford

Sonic Sight

JB Were

MGM Wireless

Other activity resulting in some income this year: NSW Chapter dinner at the conference and the end of year dinner. All expenses for which were covered by ticket sales.

Between now and the end of the year there will be only a slight variation as accounts are finalised to reflect the end of year dinner.

Lyn acknowledged and thanked the outgoing President Bruce Perry for his leadership and the work of all the committee who have ensured that it has been a productive year resulting in a financially strong position for the Chapter.

Neil McWhanell CEO Educate Plus commented on what a fantastic year financially it had been. That the Board is not looking to hold a corpus but is totally committed to improve our services and to the expansion on what we offer including. There is also a commitment to offer more scholarships to members.

Confirmation of the Treasurer’s report:

Moved by David OsborneSeconded by Marilyn Rickard

  1. Executive Committee 2017

Returning Officer: Di Lawrence

Di thanked and acknowledged Bruce Perry for is hard work and commitment to Educate Plus at a Chapter and Board level. He will be missed, it’s the end of an era with him finishing up. She went on to talk about the value of being a committee member and holding office on the Board. Encouraging all to consider being involved for its wonderful professional development experience and camaraderie. Advancement is a sharing industry with little or no competitive barriers. We share because we love what we do.

President: David Osborne

Vice-President: Grace Paraino

Secretary: TBC

Treasurer: Lyn O’Neil

Returning Committee:

Name / Position / Institution
Fiona Preston / Committee Member / ANU
Belinda Stoneham / Committee Member / Wenona
Melinda Meyer / Committee Member / Loreto Kirribilli
Yvette Graniero / Committee Member / Santa Sabina
Myfanwy Stanfield / Committee Member / Ascham
Paul McShane / Committee Member / Chevalier College
Liz Pellinkhof / Committee Member / Hills Grammar
Jo Mulligan / Committee Member / Canberra Girls Grammar
Nicole Crab / Committee Member / Glenaeon
Fiona McQueen / Committee Member / St Andrew’s College, UniSyd

New Committee Members:

Joanne Hutchens / Committee Member / Thomas Hassell Anglican College
Alexandra Macaulay / Committee Member / SHORE
Yvette Vignando / Committee Member / Abbotsleigh

The AGM was closed at 6.35pm

  1. Other Business was presented by Chapter President David Osborne

David noted that he is happy to serve such a great organisation and gave a note of thanks to Bruce. He has been honoured to serve as part of the committee under Bruce’s guidance. Bruce lead the team with enthusiasm and integrity, was a great mentor and sacrificed both personal and professional time to do so. Congratulations and on behalf of Educate Plus we celebrate your success.

Chapter Conference dates 4-5 September 2017. A conference committee of 17 has been formed lead by Grace Pariano and the first planning meeting takes place on 7 December.

  1. Meeting Closed 6.40pm

Tina Fleming, NSW /ACT Chapter Administration