NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS

TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY 6^th February 2001 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

MINUTES

Present:
Phil Roberts (Chair) SA President
Ian Burleigh TAS Secretary
Andrew Cosby VIC Treasurer
Rowland Clark ACT Publicity Officer
Alistair Primrose TAS
Patrick McCann NSW
Lindsay McNeill WA
Brad Ensbey QLD
Peter Lyons QLD

No Apologies  (Unable to get response from NT)

President welcomed all and asked that the agenda be read:

1.   Keeping in touch;
2. Website where is it/ why is the old TEFA & WA Association the only site that search engines can access? 3. How successful has your school's Ag Program been since all inspiring biennial conference Jan 2000. 
4. Occ Health & Safety Resource Guide.
5. Future directions.

1. Secretary noted some difficulty in contacting some members via Internet.

2. Internet Site.

Rowland stated that the Internet Site was still in the development stages due to lack of information being forwarded to him. The site can be made active for a small cost of $300 to $400, but it was not put up due to lack of information. After discussion re merits of proforma being developed and completed by each State Association it was resolved to forward all pertinent information pertaining to State Assoc office bearers to National Sec, who will then forward a copy to Rowland. List to include contact address/phone &fax and email. Some further discussion of utilising expertise and resources from TEFA may be possible. Alistair to follow -up.

Other information for Rowland to develop could include:
State Assoc Newsletter, forthcoming events Professional Development Opportunities, Field Days and published Articles.
Furthermore it was resolved to provide an article penned by the National President outlining the function of the NAAE and how information sharing through this forum could benefit all members.

3. Progress/feedback
Rowland noted that good interest was generated in local press re his report of National Conference in Fremantle. Keynote speaker's comments. (Ian Dongas) Phil & others reported that the resource packages from conference were useful. Lindsay noted that WA AG Dept had some useful notes re veggie growing available at low $.

Topoclimate survey had received some funding in South WA.

Universities in WA SA & TAS now actively encouraging some senior students to work in AG Industries to gain exposure to the possibilities of AG Science leading to career path.

Phil has established link with MeadHigh School Nebraska for upcoming SA Ag conference that has found ways of encouraging students to make study of Agriculture a major school focus.

4. Skipped

5. Other Matters

Treasurer Andrew was concerned that time was best spent addressing issue of next year's National Conference. It was agreed to deal with the treasurer's report and issues arising.

Balance was in the vicinity of $7800 and Treasurer was in the process of obtaining ABN number. No money had been spent.

Future directions ie National Conference 2001. Disappointing news concerning lack of organisation for conference. No Venue no themes, no Dates Various explanations given. It was determined that President would contact specific people in Tas in the immediate future to ascertain if the conference was going ahead. If no satisfactory response forthcoming conference would be hosted by SA.

Phil noted that SA had their State conferences organised professionally for a cost of $1500 and that it removed a lot of the hassles.

The issue of reimbursement for delegates travel costs was raised by Andrew who stated he needed a firm directive from the meeting as to whether he could pay $600 to Tas State Association for reimbursement. Much discussion ensued as to how such payments could be justified, and problems of equity, subscriptions monies being used etc. One suggestion was to adopt the model used by some State Associations ie pay delegates on a pro-rata basis dependent on distance travelled. A set amount is allocated to each State by NAAE exec for this purpose.
A motion was then put that: "NAAE will pay $600 to Tas Association to reimburse 2000 delegates a proportion of their travel expenses" AND "NO further payments would be made until the NAAE formulated a clear and transparent policy for travel expenses for attending Biennial Conferences."

Moved by Lindsay McNeill      Seconded by Andrew Cosby.
Motion carried. (B Ensbey Against, Peter Lyons Abstained).

Lindsay noted that the $1000 grant for the State hosting the conference was most beneficial as it helped defray a lot of the start-up costs.

Secretary Ian B brought to the attention of the meeting that circumstances beyond his control have meant that he is no longer actively involved in teaching Agriculture and therefore at a disadvantage in terms of information gathering/networking etc. He felt that it might be prudent for a more suitably placed person with a higher profile should take over the role of Nat Secretary. It was resolved to meet again in approx one month to address the issues raised from this meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at

approx 9:30 p.m. EST.