From the Chair November – Annual Report
I am delighted to share with you an update on a number of key initiatives together with the Annual Report 2018, incorporating the Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2018.
2017-2018 was a positive and eventful year for IAP2 Australasia, strongly focused on strengthening engagement with members and planning for a stronger future as a truly international association. It was also a year of new initiatives, a new CEO and a new strategic plan.
The new IAP2 Australasia Strategic Plan to 30 June 2020 was approved by the Board, following consultation with our members and Ambassadors. It is a very ambitious and action-packed plan that will drive the direction of our organisation over the next two years. It has been structured around three strategic pillars based on what we have heard is most important to members – Advocating for engagement; Strengthening engagement networks; and Advancing professional development.
The strategic review also saw the development of a new vision and mission statements:
Our Vision: Communities shaped by people
Our mission: To advance the practice of community and stakeholder engagement through education, advocacy and building partnerships.
For the first time, IAP2 Australasia launched a participatory budgeting project ‘Pitch for the Practice’, linked to the objectives of the Strategic Plan. This project gave members the opportunity to pitch their ideas for projects to be implemented within the next 12 months, with the successful projects selected by member vote. The Board was extremely impressed with the ideas put forward and the projects selected for funding, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of these projects over the coming year.
IAP2 International partnered with UNESCAP to promote systematic, quality engagement of stakeholders and the public to support the 2030 Agenda and achievement of the UNESCAP Sustainable Development Goals. IAP2 Australasia together with IAP2 Indonesia were appointed by IAP2 International to lead this collaboration, and Leanne Hartill, was appointed as the IAP2 Australasia representative to UNESCAP. The partnership is already achieving a great deal including development of a framework for planning and assessing quality engagement, workshops held across the Asia-Pacific to promote quality engagement practice, and delivery of training in Indonesia to help countries in the Asia-Pacific region deliver and implement purposeful engagement.
This year we have continued to see a significant rise in IAP2A members, and local networking events being re-energised and strengthened. Our professional development also enjoyed substantial growth in numerous capacities, including an increase in training offerings, new regional locations and the introduction of new elective modules.
A record number of entries into the IAP2 Australasia Core Value Awards was received this year, highlighting the increased value placed on best practice in engagement.
The Board and CEO undertook a governance review including the formation of two Board Committees, a much-needed refresh of several Board policies to provide clearer direction to current and future Board members and a more professional operation as an organisation.
The governance review included a review of the Constitution to ensure its appropriateness as a governance tool linked to our core purpose as an organisation. The Constitution was ratified by members at the AGM.
A review of Directors’ skills and competencies was also completed, linked to our Strategic Plan. This is aimed at delivering good governance and adhering to their fiduciary and legal responsibilities.
This year we welcomed Marion Short as the new CEO. Marion is an experienced CEO in the not-for-profit sector with extensive senior management experience in the private sector and over 15 years’ experience working within collaborative models.
IAP2 International has launched a process of re-design to create a sustainable and dynamic international association for engagement professionals. An International Change Committee was established, made up of a diverse group of members and trainers who were tasked with scoping the change and shaping the future of IAP2. With the input of Regional Boards and the International Board, the International Change Committee agreed on seven strategic priority areas and a series of recommendations that will enable us to reshape our international collaborative network that lives and abides by the IAP2 Core Values.
My gratitude goes to our IAP2 Australasia Directors with delegated international responsibilities: Kylie Cochrane, IAP2 International Presiding Member; and Mandi Davidson, IAP2 International Board Member, for their significant contribution to the International Change Initiative.
The significant progress made over the past year would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of my fellow Board Directors. My thanks to Mandi Davidson (Deputy Chair), Helen Christensen, Kylie Cochrane, Kate Henderson, Allen Rodwell and Jo Wilkins. Thank you to retiring Directors, Leanne Hartill and Margaret Harvie. And welcome to new Directors, Tony Clark, Amy Hubbard and Joel Levin.
In my first year as IAP2 Australasia Chair, I want to sincerely thank all members for your input, support and the opportunity to be part of an exciting time of change and moving forward in the organisation – your organisation.
You can read the Annual Report 2018 here
Donna Marshall
Chair
IAP2 Australasia