1. LAUNCESTON - MEMBER CONSULTATION FORUM
4 April 2018
Summary

2. Overview of Session Grand Chancellor Hotel Launceston,
29 Cameron St, Launceston
5.30pm
Board member:
Merran Kelsall & Ric De Santi
Registered: 14
Attended: 12
Divisional Council:
Opened by: Sue Shoobridge
Topics Discussed
The process to appoint the Board
The size and composition of the Board
Terms and remuneration of Directors
Annual General Meeting and proposed resolutions
Brand damage and publicity as a result of the events of 2017
Acknowledgement of members who drove governance changes during 2017
Provision of training for Public Practitioners in Tasmania
The announcement of free CPD hours
Termination payment to the former CEO
Outcomes of the member consultation forums
Results from the member engagement survey
Member retention
Prospect of a merger between CPA and CA
Announcement of a new CEO and benchmarking of salary
CPA Australia’s presence and activities in Tasmania

3. Summary of discussion
CPA members asked over 50 questions of the Board members in attendance, Merran Kelsall and Ric De Santi. Members also addressed each others’ concerns and questions.
The main topics discussed at the session were:
There was a broad discussion on the process to appoint the previous and the current Board, and proposed changes to this process. The approach that was used to appointment the current board was outlined.
The size of the current Board, including the pros and cons of reducing the number of members to nine, and the associated number of sub-committees and workload impacts. The current composition of the Board was discussed, including the addition of a member from Tasmania. The representation of regional areas on the Board was discussed more broadly.
The current terms of Directors, and the need to stagger the turnover or members. The duration of the President’s term, the ability to build a positive relationship with the CEO, and succession planning, was covered. Benchmarking remuneration and use of the aggregated pool was discussed.
The low voter turnout for the AGMs, particularly amongst senior members, and the financial costs associated with posting the Notice of Meeting to all members. Strategies should be considered encouraged to get more members to vote.
Brand damage and publicity as a result of the events of 2017, and how this impacted on member engagement. The need for a positive campaign in the media now that there has been sufficient change in the organisation
The discussion also covered:
The lack of training targeted at Public Practitioners in Tasmania
The announcement of free CPD hours, which has been positively received by members
Termination payment to the former CEO, and the potential for legal recourse
Outcomes of the member consultation forums, which have resulted in positive engagement of members
Results from the member engagement survey, and ensuring they are representative of all members
Member retention, which has been largely retained despite the difficulties of the previous year
Prospect of a merger between CPA and CA, which would result in a single, stronger organisation
Announcement of a new CEO and benchmarking of salary
CPA Australia’s presence and activities in Tasmania