[English] Letter to VATE Council

[Margaret Rooney]

For interested VATE members: this letter was sent to VATE Council by a group of concerned members requesting that the matters be put on the agenda for the 2014 AGM.

30 January 2014

Dear Secretary of VATE Council,

We the undersigned, individual and/or institutional members of VATE, have questions regarding the decisions, conduct and performance of VATE Council, its governance and its management of the Association’s business. Therefore, in accordance with clause 12c) of the Rules of Association , viz,

12 (c) A member desiring to bring any business before a meeting may give notice of that business by facsimile transmission, electronic transmission or in writing to the Secretary, who shall include that business in the notice calling the next general meeting after the receipt of the notice

we submit the following 22 items for inclusion on the agenda of the Association's 2014 AGM, and request that time be allocated to discussion of these matters at the meeting:

Council membership and processes

1.     An explanation for the resignation of 9 of 15 Council members within 12 months of their election in October 2012.

2.     In light of this, evidence of Council’s evaluation of its processes and procedures to address this unprecedented turnover of Council members.

3.     An explanation of Council's subsequent decision to co-opt a member who was identified in a WorkCover investigation into bullying that resulted in one of VATE’s staff being on WorkCover leave in 2012.

4.     A presentation to the meeting of the anti-bullying policy implemented by the Council following this bullying case, in compliance with VATE's WorkSafe obligations.

5.     Disclosure of the   location of the videorecording of the July 2012 meeting between the then Acting President,  Acting Treasurer and a group of VATE members, including current Council members.

6.     An   explanation as to why the details of this meeting were kept secret, including from the elected Council at the time.

7.    Evidence of Council’s progress in implementing VATE’s Strategic Plan.

Financial management

8.    A comparison of the premiums paid for the Association's WorkCover insurance in 2012 and 2013.

9.     An account of all of Council's expenditure on the hire of a consultant during 2012.

10. An explanation of the process whereby this consultant was appointed, including quotes obtained and a copy of the contract.

11.  A breakdown of all of Council's expenditure in the pursuit of legal action in the Fair Work Commission during 2013.

12.  An explanation as to Council’s loss of the licence to publish two textbooks for VCE English Language from 2014.

13.  An explanation of Council’s budget forecast of the likely impact of this loss on the Association's income from 2014.

14.  An explanation for VATE Council’s decision in October 2012 to overturn the previous Council’s decision to create a bursary for teachers from the profits of the 2011 conference, and to give the money to AATE instead.

15.  A presentation to the meeting of a copy of the contract between the two associations (AATE and VATE) that formalised this transaction.

Primary school membership (TEAM:P – Teaching English and Mathematics: Primary)

16.  An account of the disbursement of monies allocated to TEAM:P from DEECD’s Strategic Partnerships Program Grant during 2013.

17. An account of the actual benefits provided to primary school (TEAM:P) members in 2013.

18.  An explanation as to why Council has failed to employ a Primary Professional Officer since July 2013, contrary to its TEAM:P agreement with the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV).

19.  A presentation to the meeting of the signed MOU between the MAV and VATE to deliver TEAM:P to primary schools in 2013-2014.

VATE membership

20.  Clarification as to the relevant clause in VATE’s Rules of Association that permits free membership of VATE, other than for Honorary (life) Members.

21.  Evidence of the business case that informed Council’s decision to offer free membership to pre- service teachers and graduates in 2014, including the projected financial benefits to the association and  he anticipated timeframe for realising these benefits.

22. An  explanation as to Council’s failure to fulfill its obligation to members to publish three copies of Idiom in 2013.

We look forward to viewing the documents named above and to discussing all of these items at the 2014 Annual General Meeting, on a date as yet unpublished by VATE Council. Please advise us of the date, time and location of the AGM by return email.Margaret Rooney
Careers & Pathways Coordinator
Year 10 English Convenor
mrooney at sion.catholic.edu.au<mailto:mrooney at sion.catholic.edu.au>
98567390


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