International associations have been given the go-ahead to open regional headquarters in Dubai in a move which could turn the emirate into a 'gateway to the Middle East' for not-for-profit organisations. Until now the legal framework made it almost impossible for international associations to establish themselves in Dubai. That's because organisations wanting to set up in the city-state had to have boards consisting entirely - or mainly - of United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals. But…

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A new chapter of the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) will be formed following the announcement of a merger between their Queensland/Northern Territory and New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory divisions. Members showed strong support for the historic merger at the Annual General Meeting on 30 May 2013 in a unanimous vote. The merger, which was nine months in the making, is the first step in a process that aims to unite the remaining AIM divisions across Australia. The…

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Members of Associations Forum are concerned following Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan's recent announcement of his plans to introduce a $2000 cap on work-related self-education expense deductions. Following the announcement, a number of members contacted Associations Forum to express their concerns and seek more information. General Manager of Associations Forum, John Peacock, has responded by writing to the Treasurer on behalf of near to 500 member associations. The following quotes…

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John Peacock, General Manager of Associations Forum, comments on what we can learn from the statistics and trends in the 2013 Associations Forum Board Survey.   Although there are numerically more associations incorporated under the Associations Incorporation legislation of the Australian states and territories, the organisations completing the survey are evenly balanced between the Associations Incorporation Acts…

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