NOTICE OF THE 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) OF THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF BUSH REGENERATORS (AABR)

AABR’s AGM will be held on Saturday 27^th February 2021 by Zoom

Please register to attend here https://aabr-agm-and-glyphosate-debate.eventbrite.com.au

Those who have registered will receive an email with login instructions and meeting protocols in the week prior to the AGM. 

Agenda

10:00 – 10:05              Welcome/Housekeeping

10:05 – 10:15              Guest Speakers introduced by Patrick Deasey – AABR Glyphosate Working Group
Glyphosate –  Working through the politics, the law, the science and the practicalities

10:15 – 10:30              Tim Low – Invasive Species Council

10:30 – 10:45              Andy Erkine – Byron Shire Council

10:45 – 11:00              Q & A- Questions to be submitted here by 23/2/21

11:00 – 12:00              Annual General Meeting

1. 1. 1. 1. Welcome & Attendance
         2. Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held 23/11/19 and Financial Statements
         3. Special resolutions on notice – Revision of AABR’s Constitution
         4. Annual Reports
            1. President’s Report – Reflecting on the Annual Report for 2020 achievements
            2. Financial Report – Treasurer’s Report  and Financial Statements
         5. Election of Office Bearers
            1. Nomination of returning Officer – Louise Brodie
            2. Executive Nominations
               1. President –Peter Dixon – Proposed by Tein McDonald, 2^nd Jane Gye
               2. Treasurer – Suzanne Pritchard – Proposed by Louise Brodie, 2^nd Jane Gye.
               3. Secretary – Jane Gye – Proposed by Tein McDonald, 2^nd Louise Brodie.
            3. Committee Nominations (at least 2)

               Tein McDonald – Proposed by Jane Gye 2^nd Peter Dixon

               Matthew Pearson – Proposed by Tein McDonald, 2^nd Jane Gye.

               Alex Milicic – Proposed by Suzanne Pritchard 2^nd Jane Gye.

               Agata Mitchell – Proposed by Tein McDonald, 2^nd Suzanne Pritchard.

               Rob Scott – Proposed by Jane Gye, 2^nd Suzanne Pritchard.

               Deb Holloman – Proposed by Suzanne Pritchard. 2^nd Jane Gye.

               Scott Meier – Proposed by Suzanne Pritchard, 2^nd Jane Gye.

               Victoria Bakker – Proposed by Suzanne Pritchard, 2^nd Jane Gye.

         6. Confirmation of
            1. Public Officer -Suzanne Pritchard
            2. Accountant – JSA Accountants
         7. Meeting close

GUEST SPEAKERS

The AGM will be preceded by a 1hr webinar – Glyphosate –  Working through the politics, the law, the science and the practicalities in which two highly experienced guest speakers address aspects of the Glyphosate debate and implications for bush regeneration practice.

Tim Low will be speaking about the Invasive Species Council’s recently released report “Glyphosate: A Chemical to Understand” and its findings. Tim Low is a biologist and prize-winning author of seven books, including Feral Future, which is about invasive species, and inspired the formation of the Invasive Species Council, an NGO that works for better policies on invasive species, and which engaged Tim to write a report about glyphosate

Andy Erskine will be talking about some of the issues that councils are facing in regards to glyphosate use with A Practical Way through the Glyphosate Debate: Byron Shire Council’s Integrated Pest Management Policy and Strategy. Andy Erskine is a Horticulturist and Bush Regenerator with over 40 years industry experience. In his position as Technical Officer for Byron Shire Council he has been closely involved in the implementation of Councils Integrated Pest Management Strategy which aspires to the minimisation of herbicide use in all public areas of Byron Shire.

Click here to submit questions to the Guest Speakers

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The main business of the meeting will be to elect AABR’s Office bearers and to consider the following Special Resolutions on notice referring to changes to and potential adoption of a new AABR Constitution. 

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

Special Resolution 1. That the Members approve the model for AABR’s National Structure and Governance, as detailed in the Preamble document and reflected in the draft Constitution.

Moved: Tein McDonald Seconded: Peter Dixon

Special Resolution 2. That the new draft Constitution, as exhibited (and including any minor and non-substantive edits approved at the AGM), be adopted by AABR, subject to its endorsement by NSW Fair Trading and the Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, including any minor, non-substantive changes to the draft Constitution required by these bodies.

Moved: Tein McDonald Seconded: Peter Dixon

Special Resolution 3.  That the Committee voted in at this AGM become the first Board once the Constitution is adopted, with half the board remaining on for a 2-year term.

Moved: Tein McDonald Seconded: Peter Dixon

Special Resolution 4. That determination of which board members remain on the board for the full 2-year term is made internally by the board members.

Moved: Tein McDonald Seconded: Peter Dixon

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR MEMBERS OF THE AABR COMMITTEE

Each AGM AABR re-elects its national committee. Any financial AABR member interested in giving back to AABR is welcome to apply using the nomination form.

How to nominate yourself or another member for the AABR Committee?

Note: The signed form needs to be received by secretary@aabr.org.au by COB Friday 19^th February and has to be countersigned by a member.  (We can also accept nominations at the meeting from those in attendance.

Working on the AABR committee provides a satisfying way to help further the purpose of the organisation, which is to protect and enhance. the natural environment of Australia, by promoting, developing, and fostering the ecologically sound management and repair of ecosystems.

Special note about state branches:  AABR also welcomes new sub-committees to form for State branches.  There is currently a State branch in Victoria but no branches in Queensland or NSW where many of AABR’s members reside and practice. This is something that can evolve over time and is not restricted to occurring at an AGM.

Please register to attend the AGM  here https://aabr-agm-and-glyphosate-debate.eventbrite.com.au