1. TRARALGON - MEMBER CONSULTATION FORUM
9 March 2018
Summary

2. Overview of Session Century Inn, 5 Airfield Rd, Traralgon 12.00pm
Board member:
Merran Kelsall
Registered: 9
Attended: 7
Divisional Council:
Opened by: Terry Brooks
Topics discussed
The upcoming AGM
How to engage members
The Appointments Council
The Council of Presidents
Communication to regional branches
Recent actions by the Board
Minimum votes for an Extraordinary General Meeting
Options for direct election
Termination payment of previous CEO
CPA Advice
Performance benchmarking
CPA Australia internationally
Branch terminology
Director and management remuneration
Director terms
CPA Australia’s vision

3. Summary of discussion
CPA members asked over 35 questions of the Board member in attendance, Meryn Kelsall
The main topics discussed by members in attendance were:
The upcoming AGM: Members queried whether voting could be taken electronically, and how proxy votes were taken. Members discussed ways to encourage more members to attend the AGM and to vote
Board appointment: Members queried the proposed process for the Appointments Council, including the weightings of positions against divisions and branches. Different options for direct election were discussed and members expressed their view that they did not want board appointment to become a “popularity contest”
CPA Australia Internationally: Members stated that they want the designation to be recognised internationally, and queried rationale for growth outside of Australia
Minimum votes for an EGM: Members discussed the member resolution to reduce number of member votes needed to call an EGM. Members in attendance stated that 200 was too low and potentially destabilising, but the current minimum (5% of members) was too high
CPA Advice: A member highlighted their preference for CPA Australia to continue the offering (even at a loss), as a way of supporting small regional practitioners
The discussion also covered:
Branch terminology – confusion with the term for branches defined under the constitution and also for regional branches
Communications – the need for tailored communication for regional branches
Recent actions by the Board – seen by members as positive steps but there is keenness for more concrete actions
Previous CEO termination payment – a member stated that no further action being taken will prevent further pain
Performance benchmarking – members queried whether benchmarking against competitors has been done
Remuneration – why it’s in the constitution, whether bonuses are included and have management bonuses been reviewed
Director terms – and how the rotation of the board works given the recent spill
Council of Presidents – and whether regional branches could be included
CPA Australia’s vision – the need for it to be more member centric