AGM MINUTES 63 RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AUSTRALASIAN LAW TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Transcription

1 AGM MINUTES 63 RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AUSTRALASIAN LAW TEACHERS ASSOCIATION The meeting was held on Tuesday, 8 July 2008, at the Large Crowther Theatre, A3.1, James Cook University, Cairns. The meeting was opened by Professor Michael Adams, ALTA Chairperson, at 2.00pm ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 1

2 Table of Contents 1. Attendance/Apologies... 3 Attendance Apologies Minutes from 62 nd AGM President s Report Chairperson s Report Treasurer s Report Report from the Chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans Constitutional Amendments Election of Office Bearers on General Executive & New Zealand Executive... 5 General Executive Conference Committee... 6 New Zealand Executive Report on ALTA publications Legal Education Review: Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association: Legal Education Digest ALTA Interest Groups Venue from future Annual Conferences Other Business Incorporation Best Conference Paper Award Teaching Workshop Bestow ALTA Honorary Memberships ALTA Honorariums ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 2

3 1. Attendance/Apologies Attendance: Michael Adams (UWS), David Barker (UTS), Bill Ford (UWA), Prue Vines (UNSW), Terry Hutchinson (QUT), Mandy Shircore (JCU), Lisa Westcott (JCU), Rosalind Mason (QUT), Michael Coper (ANU), Robin Woellner (JCU), Samantha Hardy (UQ), Marilyn Scott (UTS),Wayne Rumbles (Waikato), Helen Anderson (Monash), Dale Pinto (Curtin), Michelle Sanson (Clayton Utz), Stephen Graw (JCU), John Farrar (Waikato), Mike French (AUT), Andrew Byrnes (UNSW), Kristy Richardson (CQU), Ann Cunningham (Federation Press), Ping Xiong (VUW), Tony Angelo (VUW), Carolyn Jones (VUW), Colleen Davis (Griffith), Jacquelin Mackinnon (Waikato), Colin James (Newcastle), Alex Sims (Auckland), Matiu Dickson (Waikato), James Mayanja (USQ), Michael Adams (AUT), Mac Collings (UWS), Ian Iredale (UWS), John McGrath (UWS), Elfiede Sangkuhl (UWS), Masudul Haque (UWS), Daud Hassan (UTS), Catrina Di Battista (BLT, Monash), Penelope Watson (Macquarie), Marina Nehme (UWS), Anil Hargovan (UNSW), Katherine Poludniewski (ALTA Administrator). Apologies: Kenneth Mackinnon (Waikato), Rick Sarre (UoSA) The meeting commenced promptly at 2pm, with a welcome from Professor Michael Adams, ALTA Chair. 2. Minutes from 62 nd AGM held at University of Western Australia 25 th September Professor Michael Adams indicated some minor amendments to be made to the document. Emeritus Professor David Barker also proposed that a minute of silence be observed in memory of Ms Lyndal Taylor, who had passed away earlier in the year. A moment of silence was observed at 2.07pm. Resolved: To accept the draft minutes as a true and proper record, subject to minor amendments (proposed by Michelle Sanson; seconded by Terry Hutchinson; passed) President s Report Professor Stephen Graw started with a welcome to the conference to all attending the AGM. Professor Graw confirmed that over 200 delegates were attending the ALTA Conference in 2008, and that over 140 papers were being presented over the 3 days. The work and efforts of the JCU Conference Committee, as well as the conference sponsors was also acknowledged by Professor Graw. Professor Michael Adams thanked Professor Stephen Graw for his report, and for his work as President ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 3

4 4. Chairperson s Report A verbal report was given by ALTA Chair Professor Michael Adams. Highlighted points include: Membership numbers continued to grow throughout 2008 Better financial controls had been put in place, which was important in order to be able to continue ALTA s mission and objectives as an organisation. Thanks to UTS and particularly Professor Jill McKeough for continuing to allow ALTA, LER and LED to maintain their offices at the Kuring-gai UTS Campus. E1 Publications (Conference Papers) from 2008 had been published on the ALTA website. ALTA had taken significant steps in establishing JALTA, giving conference delegates the opportunity to publish their papers in a Journal. ALTA had maintained its relationship with both CALD and the AAL Des Butler (QUT) had received the LexisNexis Award in 2008, and had been awarded $4000. LexisNexis agreed to increase the prize to $5000 for CCH had agreed to sponsor the Best Conference Paper Award, which was being presented at the second conference dinner. ALTA had become involved in the ERA and had provided a submission. ALTA would continue to support CALD and AAL with their submissions in regard to the ERA. ALTA is to be incorporated as a Company by Guarantee by October In light of pending incorporation, a wind up clause needed to be included in the constitution. Adams foreshadowed a rise in membership fees, as a result of the introduction of JALTA and the Tier 1 ranked LER. It was proposed that membership fees increase by $5 for Professor Michael Adams also mentioned his gratitude to the hard work of the executive over the past year. 5. Treasurer s Report Helen Anderson tabled her first report as Treasurer. Highlighted points include: The figures from last year and this year were different because of the timing of the reports. There had not been $17,000 in profits, as substantial costs also have to be considered. Incorporation would be another substantial cost to ALTA, but was unavoidable. A double-signatory Business Online Saver account had been opened and had been earning $100 in interest per month since it was opened. Resolved: Professor Anderson made a move for resolution for the increase of ALTA membership fees by $5. (Samantha Hardy moved to resolve; seconded by Dale Pinto; passed.) 6. Report from the Chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans Professor Michael Adams introduced Professor Bill Ford, Chair of the Council of CALD and Dean of the UWA Faculty of Law ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 4

5 Professor Bill Ford gave his report. Highlighted points include: CALD Standards Project The draft standards report had been accepted, and discussions were ongoing. The report is expected to be made final later next year. ERA CALD embarked on an examination of the best approach to determine the quality of Legal Research. CALD found the ranking list inappropriate and had provided a submission to the Australian Research Council for the consultation process. Resolved: Chair of CALD s Report adopted (moved by Michael Adams; seconded by David Barker, passed). 7. Constitutional Amendments Three amendments were put forward for decision, as below; Clause 3- an additional paragraph to inserted after b, reading; (c) all persons who have duties or interests which are relevant to legal education in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands; Michael Coper suggested that ALTA may wish to create a more formal membership application process, similar to Australian Academy of the Law. He suggested that there could be a Membership committee both to manage applications for membership, and to invite academics to become members. Clause 4- deletion of this clause as Associate Membership not relevant in light of 3(c). Clause 5- The positions of immediate past chair to be included on the executive, as well as the Editor-in- Chief of JALTA as an ex-officio member. Resolved: All proposed amendments accepted by the majority following discussion (moved by David Barker; seconded by Michelle Sanson; passed) 8. Election of Office Bearers on General Executive & New Zealand Executive General Executive Chairperson (elect for 2009): Rosalind Mason Immediate Past Chair: Michael Adams Deputy Chairperson: Rosalind Mason (until 2009) General Secretary: David Barker General Treasurer: Helen Anderson Editor in Chief of LER: Samantha Hardy Editor in Chief of JALTA: Dale Pinto Executive Member (3): Terry Hutchinson Michelle Sanson Lisa Westcott Resolved: Proposed by Bill Ford, seconded by Michael Coper, passed by unanimous vote ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 5

6 Conference Committee President: Conference Secretary: Conference Treasurer: Executive Member (2): Michael Adams Robert Hayes Elfriede Sangkuhl Marina Nehme Ian Iredale New Zealand Executive Chairperson: Secretary: Treasurer: Executive Member(1): Wayne Rumbles (acting) Brenda Midson Wayne Rumbles Morne Olivier John Hopkins Resolved: Proposed by Ken McKinnon, seconded by Samantha Hardy, passed. 9. Report on ALTA publications 9.1 Legal Education Review: Terry Hutchinson reported that the next issue is due out later this year. Other highlighted points include: Sally Kift had been invited as a new member of the Editorial Advisory Board. Lisa Westcott had been invited as a member of the Editorial Committee for Volume 19. Samantha Hardy has taken over as Editor-in-Chief of the LER for the remainder of Vol. 18. A new administrator Sonya Willis, had been appointed and was running everything smoothly. Back sets of the LER had been scanned by Austlii. 9.2 Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association: Dale Pinto reported on the inaugural issue of the Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association. Highlighted points include: The Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association is to be a double-refereed online Journal. The Editorial Board of the Journal is to include all members of the ALTA Executive, two external members- Professor Brian Opeskin (USP) and Professor Greg Craven (ACU), Editor-in-Chief of the LER and LED as ex-officio members (if not covered under category one). JALTA would add more value to ALTA membership. Special thanks to Michael Adams, David Barker and Kat Poludniewski as well as the entire ALTA executive for their work on the journal so far. Reminders for submissions to be sent out after the conference ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 6

7 9.3 Legal Education Digest David Barker reported that there are three issues annually, with articles digested from 250 journals worldwide, which have been receiving successful feedback. Special thanks were mentioned to Ms Sam McGolrick and Ms Rachel Moore. 10. ALTA Interest Groups A written report is to be received from each convener or alternate convener following the conference. 11. Venue from future Annual Conferences The following venues were discussed: 2009: University of Western Sydney (Michael Adams President) 2010: University of Auckland (under negotiation). 2011: Open to interested parties. The open opportunity in 2011 to be discussed at CALD meeting post-conference. 12. Other Business 12.1 Incorporation David Barker proposed that the Australasian Law Teachers Association (ALTA) be registered as a company with limited liability in accordance with Section 117 of the Corporations Act 2001, and that in accordance with Section 150 of the Corporations Act 2001 application be also made for the removal of the word Limited in its name, subject to the requirements of section 150(1) of the Act. Resolved: Proposed by David Barker, seconded by Michelle Sanson, passed Best Conference Paper Award Rosalind Mason reported that the Best Conference Paper Awards had been judged and that the winner would be announced at the second conference dinner on the Tuesday night (8 July 2008). Special thanks were mentioned to the judging panel who had reviewed the papers, as well as CCH who had come on board to sponsor both the Best Overall Conference Paper Award and the Early Academic Conference Paper Award. Both awards will continue into ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 7

8 12.3 Teaching Workshop Terry Hutchinson announced that ALTA was looking to re-introduce the Teaching Workshops, in response to the survey held in 2007 which indicated that the majority of ALTA members were interested in taking part in these workshops. The Executive would first look at sponsorship and other funding options, and at this stage was planning to hold the workshops one to two days following the conference Bestow ALTA Honorary Memberships Chair Michael Adams called to bestow the Honorary ALTA Memberships to Professor John Farrar, and Professor Carl Monk. Michael Adams presented Professor John Farrar with a plaque, thanking him for all his work as the Chair of the NZ Executive over the last few years. David Barker then presented Professor Carl Monk with a plaque and mentioned his great contribution and support of ALTA over the years. Professor Carl Monk established the AALS and the IALS and had maintained a strong and positive relationship between ALTA and the two organisations over the years. Michael Adams then presented Emeritus Professor David Barker AM with a plaque in order to commemorate his work and contribution to Legal Education in the last 20 years. David Barker had already been made a life member previously, but was awarded upon his retirement from UTS ALTA Honorariums Resolved: that a $2000 honorarium be paid to the Treasurer, Helen Anderson; and that a $1000 honorarium be paid to the Conference Committee, for distribution by Stephen Graw as he sees fit (moved by Michael Adams; seconded by Rosalind Mason; passed by vote). There being no other matters, the meeting was closed by Professor Michael Adams at 3.00pm ALTA AGM Minutes 8 July JCU 8