Press Release from Survey Matters, www.surveymatters.com.au....This is the first in the article series and we thought it important to start with a discussion about the concept of membership engagement.  Engagement is, after all, the key to a successful membership organisation! What is membership engagement? Historically, member engagement has been viewed by associations as loosely equating…

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Chartered Secretaries Australia (CSA) will be renamed and rebranded the Governance Institute of Australia to more accurately reflect its role as the only professional association in Australia with a sole focus on the practice of governance in all organisations. At the General Meeting last Friday (20 September 2013) Members delivered a strong mandate for change with 81 per cent voting yes to the proposal. “We recognised at the outset that we needed to better align our goals and message…

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A new CEO has been appointed, watch this space for an update. Lobby group the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Ltd (AVCAL) has hired recruiter Heidrick & Struggles to find a new chief executive after current boss Katherine ­Woodthorpe resigned from the post. AVCAL chairman John White, also a founding partner at mid-market private equity firm Next Capital, said the body was hopeful of finding a replacement by the end of the year and was…

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The Australian Coal Association (ACA) and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) have announced that they will combine to form a single representative body for the Australian mining sector. A statement said the decision to integrate the two organisations has been taken by member companies to ensure the industry is well positioned for the future.  It went on to say the move will ensure the mining industry has a clear voice in national policy debates on the economy, climate change…

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The Australian Self-Medication Industry (ASMI) has launched an interactive online induction course for those working in the consumer health sector. A first-of-its-kind online resource, it is expected to become an industry standard, ensuring high levels of knowledge, compliance and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) promotion across the sector. With five core learning modules, the ASMI Online Inudstry Induction Course will familiarise individuals and teams with healthcare regulations,…

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The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has launched an advocacy campaign titled The Power of Exhibitions, which aims to build awareness about the role of exhibitions and events in driving business and economic development. Organisers, venues and suppliers from around Australia attended an industry briefing in Sydney on Tuesday 13 August with NSW Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner. EEAA President Domenic Genua said the campaign would help build awareness…

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The Executive Council of the Federal Australian Medical Association (AMA) has appointed Ms Anne Trimmer as Secretary General of the Federal AMA. Ms Trimmer is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). Prior to joining the MTAA, Anne had an extensive career in the legal profession, practising law as a commercial partner of a major Australian law firm. Anne has held several leadership positions in professional and educational…

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The Federal Government announced on Friday 2 August 2013 that it will defer its decision to cap deductions on self-education expenses at $2000. The Government announcement on the deferral was in the Economic Statement, Page 34 -“The Government has decided to defer the introduction of the $2,000 cap on work related education expense deductions until 1 July 2015. This will allow for further consultation on how best to target excessive claims while ensuring the impact on university enrolments…

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American senior association executives exchanged ideas and insights into the international association landscape with their Australian counterparts in Sydney recently as part of a week-long study tour. Eight American delegates were brought to Australia as members of the American Society of Associations Executives (ASAE), a membership organisation of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners that represents 10,000 organisations. The…

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Associations Forum and its members have called on the Treasurer to reverse the government’s decision to impose a cap on self-education expenses.  At a meeting in Canberra this week, Associations Forum represented its 460 member organisations along side 20 peak professional bodies in opposition to the cap. Following the meeting, Associations Forum sent a submission to the Treasury outlining why the cap should be reversed, based on feedback from members. “There is unity among…

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