The first meeting of the ACE-ACEL Task Force

The first meeting of the ACE-ACEL Task Force was chaired by Professor Ken Eltis on 24th August in Sydney.  Ken has been appointed the Independent Chair to this task force and is a Fellow of both organisations.

Those in attendance included Denise Bradley, ACE President, Lyndsay Connors, ACE President-elect, John DeCourcy, ACE NSW State President, Michael Battenally, Deputy Chair, ACE National Council Neville Highett, ACEL President (teleconference from PNG), Chris Presland, ACEL Member Appointed Director, Graham Chadwick, ACEL NT Branch Director, and John Ewington, ACEL Tasmania Branch Director.  The CEOs of both organisations were also present.

As previously advised the role of the Task Force is to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of a merger and to present that case to the Boards and the memberships.

The purpose of the meeting was to listen to the views of each task force member and establish an agreed work plan and dates for meetings. Both Presidents presented statements on the opportunities and perceived benefits, to the memberships and the profession, of merging.

The Task Force discussed:

  • The  preparation of context statements for ACE and ACEL that give a snapshot of each organisation that includes current and planned activities;
  • The need to develop proposals for the name of a new organisation;
  • The due diligence needed for the case for a merger, including an audit of the assets and liabilities of each organisation;
  • An examination of legislative and taxation matters that need consideration in a merger, including governance advice from lawyers working in the Not For Profit Sector; and
  • Developing a communication strategy for members.

It was agreed that consultation with members is important and briefing meetings are planned for each state and territory. 

Dates were set for four more face to face meetings, the next of which is scheduled for 21st September.

Click here to read the previous announcement on this topic.