Cohesion - the ALIA 2001 National Policy Congress

New legal operating environment

presented by Jennefer Nicholson, ALIA executive director

Corporations Law and Australian Corporate Practice Manual

• Accountable to ASIC
• Fixed reporting and notice deadlines eg elections, AGM, changes in directors, annual report, annual return
• Minutes, board papers and detailed financial statements confidential (report of meeting provided instead)

Directors responsibilities

• control the management and business of the Association
• be honest and careful at all times and know what the Association is doing
• ensure that the Association keeps proper financial records and can pay its debts
• act in the best interests of the Association
• information acquired as a director must be used properly and in the best interests of the Association
• borrowing money on behalf of the Association
• invest money of the Association
• opening any banking account and operate the same
• contracts

Financial management strategy

Risk exposure reduced through more direct financial management of activities and operations.

• Income streams improved. This will be applied to:
  • Income generating member benefits/affinity programs
  • Targets for membership growth based on higher retention and recruitment rates
  • Package selling the range of advertising, promotion and sponsorship opportunities (eg awards, conferences)
  • Professional development program brokerage
  • ILL voucher scheme growth
  • Review of investments and liabilities

Initiatives are evaluated against Objects, costs, organisational and member benefits, operational requirements

A value-based costs regime is applied for operational activities

Capital investment for asset improvement and maintenance (ALIA House), IT and communications strategy

External risk factors

• downward trend in interest rates
• slowing of economy and impact on business (employment)
• decreasing asset value (ALIA House)

Income costs

• membership fees reduced and section fee removed
• GST impact on voucher income
• keeping down conference registration fees