2002 Convenor's report

In August 2001, we started with a small committee and gained three new members. We are an enthusiastic group and I would like to acknowledge the contribution of each person during these last twelve months.

Current committee members for 2002-2003:
Patricia Newell - Convenor
pnewell@bsl.org.au

Elizabeth Mucha - events co-ordinator
elizabethum@netspace.net.au

Marjorie Dalvean - newsletter co-ordinator
marjorie.dalvean@mrt.gov.au

Jane Oliver
janeoliver@ozemail.com.au

Jean Truebridge - treasurer
ph 03 9687 9718

Tania Barry
ktb@netspace.net.au

Mary Ayling - secretary
mayl1234@aol.com

Newsletter
Four editions, as usual, were produced. The four usual advertisers again contributed, thus ensuring that the newsletter is very close to a break even budget. (Cost to ALIA is estimated to be currently at 10 cents per specials member.)

Events
We have endeavoured to keep costs to a minimum, and our projected budget was very close to both actual expenditure and income. Events conducted were:

January: Commenced the year with a wine and cheese tasting. It was decided to have this as a no-charge event for members. Around 25 people attended. It was declared a success.

February: No event

March: Trivia night planned but cancelled because of lack of response. Members later told of intention to attend but they didn't respond in time for planning purposes.

April: Web design presentation by Izabella Bartosiewicz at RMIT location attracted about 40 members. Very good presentation. We all left with good understanding of principles of web design.

May: Dinner planned but didn't happen. Committee members sometimes cannot always find the time to organise events.

June: Around 50 members turned up to hear two presentations about knowledge management. Josephine Mifsud (Price WaterhousCoopers (PwC).and Philip Jones (Department of Defence) addressed KM in their organisation at the Productivity Commission. (Ann St John is a gracious host when we approach her to help with a venue.)

July: AGM and presentation by Deirdre McNally about consortia agreements - well received - Very interesting informal discussions following the talk. 25 participants.

August: No event

September: A trial of a no-cost, informal gathering at a central Melbourne wine bar. Although only about 12 people turned up many more expressed regret that they didn't have time to attend. (So we are repeating the concept as a relaxing Christmas event for Specials members. It will be interesting to see how many will attend.)

October: Visit to Museum Victoria (late October). 40 participants - very enjoyable event, well received by those who attended. (Many had not visited this newly opened Melbourne landmark before.) As the host library provided refreshments no entry fee was charged

November: No event

December: Planned event - informal gathering - no costs

As we are no longer obliged to hold an AGM the committee has decided to progress without one for 2003. Also we intend to plan our year from Jan-Dec, in line with ALIA requirements. We continue to look for more committee members to lighten the work load of the existing enthusiastic members.

We were pleased to welcome approximately eight students to our meetings as observers during the year. It is common for students to be asked to complete assignments requiring attendance at meetings of professional associations.

I represented the Vic Specials group at the preparatory meeting for the National Policy Congress and reported back to the committee. In future more notice of this type of meeting would assist with preparation of issues on behalf of the Specials group.

We are looking forward to the events planned for 2003. Many contacts have been made through our collective networking and the committee is ready to start.

Patricia Newell
Convenor

2 December 2002

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