One state one vote for industry association

A radical change to the constitution of Printing Industries will see widespread election campaigns for the new slimmed down national board.

A rewriting of elements of the Printing Industries constitution is designed to deliver more involvement by members in choosing state representatives. Under new proposal to be presented to the national body May 6th, states will elect one member each to the national board. Every member in that state can put himself, or herself, forward for election.

Two extra board members will be elected by popular national vote. The two extra members need not necessarily be working in the industry but must be nominated by a registered member. The national president will be elected by and from the new national board.

According to Philip Andersen, CEO, Printing Industries, the new changes will reduce the size of the national board from the current 15 to 9. He believes the measures will make the association more responsive to members’ concerns.

“At present the electoral processes of the Association are time consuming and difficult to manage. The new proposals will make them simpler and allow the Association to make better use of members’ expertise,” he said.

The new rules will abolish the formal state boards, replacing them with standing committees appointed by the new national council. The new committees will be able to address different issues, calling for volunteers with special interests and skills to serve for a limited time.

Andersen pointed to the response the Association received in NSW to its call for volunteers to address the NSW print procurement issue. “We heard from a lot of people who don’t normally get involved but who wanted to contribute on this particular issue,” he said.

He is confident the new constitution will be approved at the May meeting. To date all states that have considered the proposals have been in favour. If passed, it is intended to have the newly constituted board in place by the end of the year.