1. SYDNEY - MEMBER CONSULTATION FORUM
12 March 2018
Summary

2. Opened by: Shabnam Amirbeaggi
Overview of Session
Board members:
Peter Wilson, Merran Kelsall, Rosemary Sinclair, Caroline Spencer & Helen Lorigan
Shangri-La Hotel,
176 Cumberland St,
The Rocks, Sydney
6.00pm
Registered:
157
Attended: 84
Divisional Council:
Opened by: Shabnam Amirbeaggi
Topics discussed
Proposed legal action regarding the actions of the former board and CEO, and the termination payment to the former CEO
CPA Australia Advice, including the future direction, payment of higher duties and the professional standards scheme
Processes for appointing the Board, including direct election models and transparency of membership numbers
Ability of members to communicate with each other, including access to member contact details
Minimum votes required for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
Transparency on membership numbers and locations
Feedback on the Member Forum feedback & Webinars
The upcoming AGM and proposed constitutional changes
Engagement of members with CPA Australia and the board
Return on investment for members for their membership fees
Damage to the brand as a result of the action of 2017, and how the Board will rebuild trust with members
CPA Australia’s digital strategy
CPA Australia’s Code of conduct
Transparency of organisational structure
Marketing activity
Opinions on the recent announcement of free CPD
Director remuneration and duration of terms

3. Summary of discussion
CPA members asked over 45 questions of the Board members in attendance, Peter Wilson, Merran Kelsall, Rosemary Sinclair, Caroline Spencer & Helen Lorigan.
The main topics discussed by members were:
The termination payment to the former CEO, and actions of the former board and CEO. A number of members questioned the legal advice that had been provided on the potential success of legal action, and what reporting had been made to ASIC.
The performance of CPA Australia Advice. This included constitutional arrangements for the business, the composition of the board, recent termination of the payment of higher duties to current CPA Australia staff, ongoing costs, and its earlier relationship to the now restored professional standards scheme for CPA. The future direction was also discussed, covering the upcoming review.
The proposed process and composition of the Nominations Committee and Appointments Council, and alternative models of direct election, including alternatives to voting at the AGM.
The ability for members to communicate directly with other members, and how CPA Australia might facilitate this. Options such as the member register, providing addresses, InTheBlack and an online forum were discussed. Some members expressed concern about options involving their private details being released publicly without their permission.
Minimum votes required for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), with a show of hands. Options were canvassed ranging from 200 members to 1000 members without any option receiving definitive support.
Transparency on membership numbers and locations, including the number of ASAs, CPAs and FCPAs, the number of Public Practitioners, and the location of members on the Appointments Council.
The discussion also covered:
Proposed constitutional changes at the upcoming AGM, which are aimed at preventing the actions of 2017 from occurring again
Engagement of members with CPA Australia and the board, including the numbers at the Member Forum, building trust between the Board and members, and the operation of the Divisional Councils
Return on investment for members for their membership fees
Damage to the brand as a result of the action of 2017, how the Board will rebuild confidence with members, and retention rates
CPA Australia’s digital strategy – CPA Australia is not a leader in the digital space, especially in relation to the use of social media
Improvements to CPA Australia’s code of conduct, changes to the whistle-blower policy, and the life membership of the former CEO
Provision of an organisational structure
Marketing activity, including suggested changes to the brand
Opinions on the recent announcement of free CPD
Director remuneration, the number of Diretcors on the board, and the duration of terms. This included the process for appointing a Director to a third term

4. PHOTOS