Jim Atkinson, national president of Printing Industries says the constitutional changes were aimed at re-energising the management and decision making process and creating a board environment which encourages a more focused industry participation.
He says, “In the past we have made management too complex and the management structure too convoluted to encourage participation by the most talented executives that our industry has. The expertise and experience of these people in businesses of all kinds need to be attracted to help guide and focus the leadership and support Printing Industries can and should be providing, not just for today’s issues, but into the future and its many challenges.”
The changes include the dismantling formality of the current Regional Council structure and restructuring of the existing National Council. A new nine-member board will replace the existing 15-member National Council with each state, including the ACT, having one representative on the board elected by the membership of that state with two members elected from the membership at large, regardless of what state they come from.
The Association outlines that the formal Regional Council management structure will be dismantled and instead standing committees will be established to deal with local matters. The creation of specific purpose sub committees will be encouraged to engage more relevant and focussed industry participation and utilise the available knowledge, skills and experience available in our industry.
Atkinson also says that the regional offices would continue to be the focal point for members for the provision of services and advice.
He says, “However policy direction will be provided via the national structure to ensure quicker, more flexible and better informed decision making. Policy input will be encouraged from all regions via specific purpose committees.
“Good leadership must start from the top and so we must ensure that we have the best decision makers at the top working with our highly skilled staff to achieve the best outcomes for our membership.”
Atkinson concludes that some processes are still underway to satisfy the requirements set by Fair Work Australia, but these are expected to be completed during the coming months. It is intended that the new structure will be in place by January 2011.
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