AFOFSAG

    AUSTRALIAN Fellowship news

                                                                          Number 9. November 2008

 The last meeting of the Queensland National Joint council was held at the NSW Scout Centre, Pennant Hills, Sydney on Sunday morning, 26^th October 2008. 

At the same time the incoming NSW NJC met to finalize their selection of office bearers.

 ISGF World Conference

One of the main items discussed was the World Conference – see following report.

 REPORT TO AFOFSAG/NJC ANNUAL MEETING 26 October 2008

ISGF World Conference Vienna, Austria 21-26 August 2008

 Seventeen Australians attended the World Conference held in Vienna, Austria 21-26 2008. The delegates were Yvonne James (current Chairman NJC), Jenny Nelson (current vice-Chairman NJC) and Brian Jackson (Chairman elect NJC).

 Accommodations were spread over a number of hotels giving everyone an opportunity to discover the wonderful efficiency of the Vienna Underground.

 Sessions were held at the University with mid day meals provided in the Town Hall Cellar restaurants. The evenings allowed participants to enjoy dinners with a flare!

 The Lord Mayor’s Reception was memorable primarily for the sumptuous surroundings – murals and magnificent chandeliers.

 The Austrian Dinner Show allowed us to enjoy the costumed dancers and tunes from The White Horse Inn and Merry Widow.

 On Sunday afternoon were excursions with the choice of exploring Vienna, the Danube Wine Region, the castles of Marchfield or the Swampy Jungle near the Slovakian border.

 The business sessions kept every one busy, especially the delegates.

 The program included

• Group discussions on creating an “Action Plan” for the next 3 year;
•  Reports of various descriptions including financial;
•  Reports from WOSM and WAGGGS;
•  Information on the Ambassadors’ Guild and the European Region;
• The report from the ISGF President.
• Candidates for the World Committee were introduced and voted upon and some countries were admitted to Associate or full membership.
• The lengthiest discussion and voting session was on alterations to the Constitution.
• We were disappointed with the meeting of the ASPAC Region. Whilst those other countries represented – New Zealand, Malaysia, India, Japan - were willing to listen, we were not given the opportunity to properly present Australia’s opinion on how you wanted the ASPAC Region to run. We did collect email addresses of those present and have since sent them an initial news letter.
• Brett Grant (from South Australia) was appointed the new World Committee Chairman for the next three years.  It is the first time that a World Committee Chairman has not come from Europe.
• The Italian delegation presented their proposal to host the next World Conference in 2011.  The proposal was accepted unanimously.  The 26^th World Conference will be held in Cernobbio, on Lake Como, in the Lombardia region of north Italy, probably sometime in October 2011.

On a lighter note was the “World Market” where countries who had brought goods could sell same, while others provided ‘samples’ such as drink, food and even hats. All was interspersed with singing and dancing from delegations celebrating their own local customs.

 The final night dinner was a most enjoyable evening, with great fellowship.  We were treated to some traditional Austrian dancing, as well as a band, whose members were all from an Austrian Guild.  A moving ceremony took place, with the outgoing (Martine Levy) and the new (Brett Grant) World Committee Chairmen cutting a cake, followed by an official farewell to Martine.

 There were some tired Australians who left Vienna on Tuesday morning for an extended tour of Austria or to join a plane for that long journey back home.

 “ISGF Info”

ISGF Info is the new tool for information, inspiration and news from all levels in ISGF and particularly from the World Committee and the World Bureau.

This will be forwarded to NJC but any member may also register when they send an email to: isgf-aisg@skynet.be or write a note to World Bureau, Avenue de la Porte du Hal 38, BE-1060 Brussels, Belgium for a subscription in English or in French.

 The first issue of “ISGF Info” (October 2008) is available for download from the ISGF website.

 Constituent Members Census.

In October, Constituent Members passed to AFOFSAG the membership fees collected during the current year. With this cheque came the number of members for that period.

Trefoil Guild                                                   2452 members

Baden-Powell Guild of Australia                          619 members

St. Georges Guilds in Australia Inc.                       23 members

 Donation received and forwarded.

NJC had received a cheque of $22 from a Trefoil Guild toward the Development Fund. The cost in bank transfer fees, if forwarded to Brussels, would have exceeded the actual donated amount so the decision was made to present same to Australian International Guiding via the Fairburn Fund.

 Membership fees 2009

Fees to ISGF for 2009 have risen from 1.80 Euros to 1.92 Euros per member.

The cost of this to Australia depends on the current exchange rate.

 Our Treasurer was able to report on the use of ASOFSAG monies during the past 4 years, to clarify the percentage used to cover ISGF/Brussels obligations and the amount NJC have used to cover the operating cost of ASOFSAG.

 After taking account of the return to Constituent Organisations of $20,000 from existing funds, the Australian Fellowship’s finances are still in a healthy state. The committee therefore felt AFOFSAG could afford to make a small reduction in the current membership fee. The AFOFSAG membership fee for 2009 is reduced from $5.00 to $4.00.    

 The New NJC

New South Wales will host the NJC for the next three years. The committee consists of Chairman, Brian Jackson (Australian Baden-Powell Guildmaster); Vice Chairman, Wendy Smibert (Australian Trefoil Guild Adviser); Secretary, June Conen (NSW/ACT Trefoil Guild Adviser); Treasurer, Keith Parry (NSW Baden-Powell Guild); International Secretary, Patsy Hughes (NSW/ACT Trefoil Guild); and PR officer, Beverley Lapacek (NSW Baden-Powell Guild).

 This is the last Australian Fellowship News to be written by the 2004-8 National Joint Council committee. We thank members for their support and interest over the past 4 years and wish the new committee all the best as they guide AFOFSAG through the following years.

Yvonne James

Jenny Nelson

Alan Wallis

Barbara Dean

Eslyn Wass

Ann Dyett

AUSTRALIAN Fellowship news

                                                                        Number 8, July 2008

 The last meeting of this NJC’s term was held in Queensland on Sunday 27th. July 2008

 The following excerpts from the minutes will be of interest to all members:

 Refund to Constituent Member Bodies.

It was proposed and passed that a further $10,000.00 be refunded to the constituent member bodies of Trefoil Guild, Baden-Powell Guild & St. Georges’ Guilds in Australia Inc. on a per capita basis, using the figures from the 2007 census).  Rationale: After paying all outstanding accounts to ISGF and the refund we are still left with $15,000 which is considered as sufficient funds to operate effectively. 

 Changes to the Constitution and the Administrative notes were accepted and these documents will be circulated to State Advisers and Guildmasters with the minutes.

 Conference Matters:

A lengthy discussion took place on the conference papers and proposals. Decisions were made for voting and any other action considered appropriate on behalf of Australian members.

 ASPAC Region:

“Notes and General information” regarding the ASPAC Region from the World Committee Regional Team were not received in Australia until 10 July 2008. These were immediately circulated by the Australian TG Adviser and Australian BP Guildmaster to St. George’s Guild, State Trefoil Guild Advisers and State Guildmasters. Replies were reported to NJC and a consensus formed.

 Australia did not agree with any of the plans and proposals as they had been presented in the Notes and General information. We propose to present, we hope, an acceptable alternative plan as follows.

 We agree to there being an APAC Regional Representative/Chairman if this allows us representation on the World Committee (there is a proposal that Regional Chairmen be appointed onto the World Committee, which will be voted upon at the World Conference).

 We do not see any advantage in having a formal ASPAC committee but see value in setting up a communication email route for exchange of news and information.

 We do not approve of having an ASPAC Gathering organized for 2009 without having been consulted.

 To conduct Gatherings especially for the ASPAC Region is a doubling of time, expense and energy. There are existing Gatherings held by NSGFs or their Constituent organizations in the Region. An ASPAC Gathering does not appear to attract interest from the majority of our members. It would be better to issue invitations to ASPAC countries to attend existing Gatherings.

 Action Plan.

The conference programmers have allocated 4 sessions to the composition of the World Committee Action Plan for 2008-11, plus a period for the presentation and voting on the last day. The NJC considered this excessive and expressed their objection in writing to Brussels when the program was first received. There has been no change made to the program. The NJC feel their delegate’s time can be better spent and are preparing only one “key sentence” from Australia. This will relate to the need for consultation and communication.

 Fee System

We do not consider that the new fee system is any better than the old one, where the highest fees are paid by countries such as Australia and New Zealand (€1.80)  U.K. (€1.60) with most African/Asian countries paying less than half that amount. Although it is unlikely it will come to a vote, we feel the new fee system an ineffective tool as a way of attracting new members. The requirement to increase membership to a sufficient level, so as to attract a reduction, is impractical.

 Election of new World Committee Members

From the nominations listed, we have agreed to vote for three of the candidates.

 Annual General Meeting & Changeover

The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Fellowship and the Changeover of the National Joint Council will take place at the Scout Assn. of Australia, NSW Branch, Baden-Powell Scout Centre, Pomona Street, Pennant Hills on Sunday 26th. October 2008, commencing at 2.00 pm.

A meeting of the outgoing NJC members and the incoming NJC committee will be held on Sunday morning commencing at 10.00 am.

It is proposed to report experiences of the 2008 World Conference at the AGM.

 Yvonne James (Chairman NJC)

Jenny Nelson (Vice-Chairman NJC)

    AUSTRALIAN Fellowship news

 Number 7, April 2008

 NJC Meeting 24 April 2008 was a busy day. The World Conference was our main topic, though the following item may create more excitement among members!

Another refund to Constituent Organisations. In 2006 this committee decided to refund $10,000, divided on a proportionate basis of membership between our Constituent Organisations. This was from the balance of account, money which had been subscribed from members before 1995. It was left to each organisation to decide on its use.

Our most efficient Treasurer through careful management has meet our 2005 – 2008 expenses from membership subscriptions received during that period, so maintaining the previous balance. The NJC therefore feel that a further amount can be refunded from the original balance to constituent organisations. We do not believe NJC need to hold a large bank balance, but should manage finances so that current receipts cover current costs.

The amount of this refund will be determined in July, and presented at the AGM.

World Conference. It has been a challenge to interpret the papers and program received as preparation for this event. Further discussion on some of the proposals was postponed until our next meeting. However, there is a proposal which we recognised as having a direct affect on Australia.

European countries are seeking to have the Chairman of each Region committee included as a member of the World Committee. This would seem to have merit but currently our ASPAC region has no committee. To ensure Australian/ASPAC was represented if this proposal were accepted, the NJC considered what we might do to initiate the reformation of the ASPAC Region. However, it also appears that the proposal for Chairmen to be members may carry increased expense for the Region. We are seeking clarification of the possible implications so we can act appropriately on behalf of Australian members

Delegates to World Conference

We are pleased with the willingness expressed by attendees to help fulfil these rolls. It can be an onerous task. A delegate has the responsibility to attend and participate in all group discussion meetings. They need to be aware of the agenda and background information. Each country is allowed up to four delegates. Irrespective of the number of delegates or even of their attendance at the conference, each country has four votes.

The NJC receive papers, study same and discuss what they feel may best benefit our membership. The way Australia will vote has usually been determined before leaving for the conference. However, if an item is less clear and listening to further argument may better clarify how Australia should vote, then the delegates are given responsibility to change that instruction. Delegates therefore need to have the back ground knowledge which allows them to make a decision at the event.

The NJC has nominated three delegates. Yvonne James (current NJC Chairman), Jenny Nelson (current NJC vice Chairman) and Brian Jackson (current NSW B-P Guildmaster – the NJC will move to NSW in October).

Changeover

Details are under way for the State changeover of NJC on 26 October. This will be held at Pennant Hills, NSW Scout Training Centre. Hopefully members of our three Constituent Organisations will be present. It will be a great opportunity for Delegates to report on their experience at the ISGF World Conference.

AFOFSAG Constitution

Time was given to a further check for any wording now out of date – e.g. putting the “girl” back in Guides! It is expected the Constitution will be signed at the July meeting, then circulated. The Administration Notes are also being updated to match current practice.

New Website

AFOFSAG has a new website – a place where you can read the latest AFN (Australian Fellowship News), information from ISGF Brussels, and see what our members have been doing. Spread the news –

go to http://afofsag.webs.com

There is also an E-mail address specifically for AFOFSAG

Contact  afofsag@live.com.au

 AUSTRALIAN Fellowship news

Number 6, February 2008

Information from the NJC meeting 10 February.

 AFOFSAG Shirts

The NJC hold a stock of green and yellow shirts to be sold to any member who wishes same. Unfortunately some one in the past mis-ordered and a number of children sizes were added to stock.  It was decided that these be presented to Scout and Guide museums with the remainder given to charitable causes in a variety of States – including Aussie Helper, Pamper Packs (drought victims), etc.

 Spirit Flame

We have enjoyed following the progress of the Spirit Flame, a project of ISGF to celebrate the Brownsea Island camp. Australia was not “on the route” but some Aussie travellers were close to the flame when they visited Brownsea and the International Camp in the UK. It was agreed that $600 from AFOFSAG funds be forwarded to Brussels towards the cost of operating this project.

 Reports to ISGF

This is the season when our annual report and census forms are expected in Brussels. Among information received was the news that, as the ISGF constitution allows for an increase of fees in line with Belgium’s cost of living, our ISGF fee would rise on January 2009 (i.e. from €1.80 to €1.92). The NJC had already made allowance for this and, as announced at the AGM 2007, the member subscription to AFOFSAG/ISGF will remain at $5 for 2008.

 World Conference Austria – August 21-16 2008

Currently this is our main topic. Not only are we concerned with application for members who wish to attend, but there will be proposals and recommendations to study so that Australia’s votes are used to the best advantage of their membership.

 Application forms can be downloaded from http:isgf.wordpress.com

PLEASE NOTE: any member planning to attend this conference must ALSO forward a ‘form of intention’ to the International Secretary Eslyn Watt 1042 Ipswich-Rosewood Rd Rosewood Qld 4340. These forms of intention are available through your State Adviser or Guildmaster.

Applications close 30 April.