AGM-2003

Increased use of the website. The website has been updated frequently and regularly over the last year and new pages have been introduced. There will also now be separate web pages for individual link groups.
Establishing further links with other women’s groups in Australia - Anna Robinson has made contact with women’s engineering groups in the ACT region and Women in Medicine. She advised she had not yet had time to take this matter further.
Changes to the journal production format (i.e. a rotation policy) – There are to be no changes to this format for the foreseeable future.

The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the 2002 meeting by Margaret Hartley and Anna Robinson (the only members present in 2003 who attended the meeting in 2002).

Financial report

As the financial statements are pending audit, a draft summary of financial affairs was presented to the meeting. Audited accounts to be posted on the website when completed. Karen Edwards reported that there was a deficit this year in contrast to the surplus of last year. Anna Robinson explained that this contrast was due to several 2001 accounts being paid in 2002 (e.g. FASTS membership subscriptions) and there was additional income from the WAIS 1 Conference in 2001 that appeared to inflate the income for that year. Peripheral journal costs, including copyright, were up, but printing was down from last year. NOTED that our lack of indemnity insurance has stopped WISENET from applying for funds from organisations such as OSW where insurance is now a prerequisite. However, the cost of insuring was thought to be prohibitively expensive but will be investigated further by Anna Robinson.

Karen Edwards and Anna Robinson have been trying to set up a system whereby members can pay their fees by credit card instead of cheque, cash or money order. They reported that so far the bank has been most unhelpful. Anna suggested that Judy Potter of ‘welldone.com’ has offered to help set up this system for a small fee. It was AGREED that AR should investigate this matter further.

Thanks were offered to Anna Robinson and Karen Edwards.

Membership report

Sally Stowe reported that the membership details were now contained within an Excel file, allowing for easy access. Membership was up from 230 to 249, with approximately 1/3 being unfinancial.

The breakdown of membership was reported as:

    ACT
    NSW
    NT
    QLD
    SA
    TA
    WA
    VIC
    Overseas

The membership report was ACCEPTED. Thanks were offered to Sally Stowe.

Journal report

The report was DEFERRED as Haley Jones was not present. (Haley has now provided the following. Ed.)

***

At the time of the AGM, I had been Journal Manager for two journals, J61 and J62. As a new member, learning what WISENET is all about as well as taking on this role has certainly been a steep learning curve but I am looking forward to being Journal Manager for at least another year or so. I see my role as hands-off in terms of the actual journal content, but more hands-on in terms of making sure things are done on time and within budget.

I would sincerely like to thank all for their help in these two journals. Firstly, thank you very much to the Canberra team for helping me through J61. And, well done to Rosemary Sutton and her team for Journal 62 who did a fantastic job of the WAIS II conference proceedings.

I would also like to thank Andrew Netherwood for his outstanding contributions to the WISENET Journal over several years. For those who are unaware, Andrew has been doing the layout for the journal and has done a superb job. He has often had great suggestions for graphics and fill-ins which have really enhanced the look and feel of the journals. Andrew has decided that J63 will be his last with us and are sorry to see him go.

On a business note, we have come up with some new guidelines for the layout part of the journal process. These will be sent to editors and updated as necessary. I hope to have them on the website as well. I have also recently sent out a schedule of “editing duties” for the next few years. This is, of course, flexible and subject to change. Please keep a look out for when it is your Link Group’s turn and lend a hand when you can.

***

The issue of letters for publication was raised. It was noted that letters were only published at the Editor’s discretion, and the right to edit letters for clarity was reserved. The issue of journal covers was also raised and whether it is appropriate to have political people featured. The meeting NOTED that while WISENET is politically active, it is not a party political organisation. However politicians have been featured on the cover of the WISENET journal on a few occasions where they have been active in support of WISENET. Margaret Hartley recalled Barry Jones’ photograph on a Journal Cover some years ago. As no formal guidelines presently exist, it was agreed that putting pictures of politicians on the cover of the WISENET Journal was not inconsistent with either the Constitution or the Aims and Objectives of WISENET.

Reports on national and link group activities and projects

Reports were submitted by Sydney, Wollongong, ACT, Tasmania and Victoria and Western Australia (summary to be attached). Other reports are still pending. Anna Robinson commended Barbara Smith for such a successful re-launching of the Tasmanian Link Group. The Tasmanian link group report is to be posted on the website – members are encouraged to read Barbara’s quite outstanding report.

Raising fees

It was suggested that the standard membership fee be raised to $50 from $35. The increase would cover FASTS membership ($5 per member) and allow for extra administrative and journal costs from time to time. It was also proposed that the unemployed/student/retired rate be increased from $15 to $20, to reflect rising costs elsewhere. Corporate membership fees to be raised to $200 per annum. These proposals were ACCEPTED and will be put to a vote amongst the membership. Anna Robinson tabled a list of reasons as to why membership offered more than just accessing information via the website and receiving copies of the journal.

Genuine networking – keeping people connected
Real support from willing fellow members
Access to events and experiences that are not otherwise available to women
Opportunities to extend into professional areas outside normal workplace experience
Being independently informed about current scientific issues at regional, national and international levels
Having a voice in decision making - WISENET is the only National women’s science body and has representation through many different fora
WISENET links into many other organisations that also provide unique opportunities and information.

These things often don’t have a tangible value. However, managing without them can make for an isolated and limiting existence for women in science — as many have discovered.

Changes to Constitution

Gina Newton PROPOSED that the wording of the Constitution has become dated and needed some revision. It was FURTHER PROPOSED that the votes for these changes be sought through email responses from the entire WISENET membership as changes require the agreement of 20 or more members. It was NOTED that only financial members are eligible to vote and as membership renewals have not yet gone out, members will be deemed to be financial if they have paid subscriptions for 2002.

RECOMMENDED specific changes are (to be read in conjunction with the Aims and Objectives as set out in the Constitution, also on the website, and in every copy of the WISENET Journal):

That the first objective be amended to incorporate
Objective (g): i.e. “To build a supportive and active network of people interested in the objectives of WISENET and to liaise with other interested groups”

(a) becomes (b)

(b) becomes (c) with the clause “To provide comment” added so that the objective reads “To provide comment and to examine the education and employment structures which currently restrict women’s opportunities in the sciences”

(d) becomes (e) with the words ‘science related’ added so that the objective reads “To explore linkages between the different disciplines and promote communication between scientists and the community on science related social and environmental issues”

(e) becomes (f) and either delete or modify – too big a task?

(f) becomes (g) and the words ‘maledominated’ be removed so that the objective reads “To explore programs for change in the sciences and support more democratic and participatory systems as an alternative to the traditional models”.

It was further PROPOSED that the Constitution be revised as follows:

that the term ‘Central Link Group’ be changed to ‘National Link Group’
that clause 17 be amended to read ‘that 15 days written notice’ be changed to ‘15 days e-mail notice’ to circumvent the need for mailing notices.

The meeting agreed that it would be best to establish telephone link-ups for future AGMs and also allow electronic voting on the AGM within a 15-day period. The meeting ACCEPTED the proposed changes to the Constitution EXCEPT with respect to Objective (e/f). No general agreement was reached as to whether current objective (e) be removed or reworded and it was AGREED that this should be discussed further and reconsidered at the 2004 AGM. After discussion on potential changes to the quorum required, it was AGREED that the quorum numbers remain as they stand, as they only require less than 10% of the membership to be present.

Any other business

Honourifics. Some members are opposed to the use of professional titles between members and in correspondence. Anna Robinson and Julie Christie pointed out that other professional organisations (and most male scientists) have no qualms about using honourifics for members. Margaret Hartley noted that members are asked for a title when they join, and can choose a form of address at that point. The meeting AGREED that the use of titles be left to the choice of individual members.
Anna Robinson advised that New Scientist is keen to provide a special rate of subscription and collaborate with WISENET on publicity. A meeting with Jeff Sapier (Marketing Manager) was being arranged.
Gina Newton suggested that we establish a ‘match-making’ mentoring scheme through the WISENET website.
The meeting expressed a vote of thanks to Alex Reisner for his work on the website. Anna Robinson said that she received many congratulations and positive comments about the website and that its constant updating and informing reflected a dynamic networking organisation. The meeting extended particular thanks and commendation to Alex for doing so much in a voluntary capacity and on a nearly daily basis.
Karen Edwards reported that Judy West has just been nominated for a Queen’s Birthday award for her work at the national herbarium. Margaret Hartley suggested we send her a letter of congratulations.

Actions arising from the AGM

Anna to contact Judy to see if credit card set-up can be done, and for how much.
Audited finance report to be posted on website (Karen Edwards).
Letter of congratulations etc. to be sent to Judy West (Karen Edwards)
Haley Jones to table journal report.
Proposed fees and constitutional changes to be circulated to members.
Members to be informed of proposed voting changes.

The meeting adjourned at 9pm, with several members moving onto Vivaldi’s for dinner.

Part 2

“Virtual” AGM through email communication

Present: (those members who responded to the email were considered as present at the ‘virtual AGM’. )

Alex Reisner (Syd), Ann Sefton (Syd), Barbara Smith (Tas), Diana Temple (Syd), Diedre Tronson (Syd), Donna Edman (ACT), Ellen O’Brien (Syd), Haley Jones (ACT), Jenelle Kyd (ACT), Jo O’Neil (Vic), KateShaw (Syd), Kath Smith (Syd), Marcia Lambert (Syd), Pam Reisner (Syd), Penny Cocker (Tas), Pru Bonham (Tas), Rosemary Irrgang (Syd), Rosemary Stanton (Syd), Rosemary Sutton (Syd). Votes and comments were sent with emails and are summarised below.

Part 3

19th June, 1.00pm

Held at Vivaldi’s Restaurant

ANU Campus, Canberra, ACT

Present: (all ACT) Jenny Graves, Frances Shannon, Rowena Ball, Hilary Cadman, Lyn Hinds, Julie Christie, Juliet Lloyd-Smith, Judith Hazel, Sally Stowe, Sue Brown, Karen Edwards, with Kellie Baker and Caroline Oakley (Adviser) attending from the Office of the Status of Women, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Kellie and Caroline talked to us about the Honouring Women Program and described how we can (and should) start nominating more women for recognition and awards. This was NOTED and Anna Robinson advised that she would try to start collating a list of appropriate awards and nominating more women through WISENET as a matter of priority. It was AGREED that responses from the ‘virtual AGM’ be incorporated and minuted. As there was no other business, the AGM was formally concluded at 2.30pm.

Summary of votes

Total AGM Attendees in three parts 31

1. Votes to increase fees:

YES - 27 NO - 4

AGREED that fees be raised to $50 for normal subscriptions, $200 for corporations and $20 for students and non-waged from 2004 to cover full membership of FASTS ($5 per member) and to assist with administrative costs.

2. Votes to change the Constitution

YES - 31 Unanimous

AGREED to update the wording of the Constitution. Comments received will be formulated into a working draft that will be circulated to all members. Final comments will be sought and the revised changes will be placed on the website 30 days prior to agreement at the AGM, 2004.

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