1. PARRAMATTA - MEMBER CONSULTATION FORUM
26 March 2018
Summary

2. Overview of Session Rydges Parramatta,
James Ruse Drive, Rosehill
5.30pm
Board members:
Merran Kelsall, Robyn Erskine
Registered: 59
Attended: 17
Divisional Council:
Opened by: Shabnam Amirbeaggi
Attended by: Erica Blythe
Topics discussed
The process to appoint the new CEO, negotiate his remuneration and the ongoing contractual arrangements
Models and processes for appointing board members, including different models of direct election
The value that CPA provides to members and competitiveness to other organisations
The cost and value of continuing professional development
The future of CPA Advice
The requirements for investment in IT to improve the member experience
Brand marketing, including sponsorship of the Australian Open
Requirements for setting dates of key member events

3. Summary of discussion
CPA members asked over 40 questions of the two Board members in attendance, Merran Kelsall and Robyn Erskine. Members also addressed each others’ concerns and questions.
The main topics discussed were:
The transparency in how the new CEO has been appointed, how his contract and remuneration were negotiated, and his performance measures. His notice period, and the completion of the CPA program were discussed.
The viability of CPA Australia Advice, the potential for conflict of interest with CPA members, the timeframe and cost of the upcoming review, and the need for the review to be forward looking. There should be clear communication to members on the performance of CPA Australia Advice, defence against the mistruths that have been published, and outcomes of the review.
The discussion also covered:
The value that a member gets from CPA Australia for the annual fee and the costs of CPD relative to competitors. Options for digital delivery of CPD and personalised content were proposed.
Board appointment and the process for communicating vacancies, ensuring there is potential for an ‘ordinary’ member to be considered for a board position
The model for board appointments, including the ability for the proposed model to enable ‘crafting’ of the board based on skill, geography, ethnicity and gender diversity needs. The challenges to achieving board diversity with a hybrid or direct election appointment model were discussed.
The retention of members through the crisis and the insights from the recent member engagement survey
The profile gap in under 30’s membership, and the need to improve technology to improve member experience and meet the needs of a new generation
An overview of sponsorship arrangements
The challenges in setting dates for CPA events
Internal culture at CPA Australia

4. PHOTOS