AGM 9 th July 2015 Aston University, Birmingham

Transcription

1 AGM 9 th July 2015 Aston University, Birmingham 14:04 The British & Irish Orthoptic Society AGM started BIOS AGM 65 members in attendance (run during the BIOS Scientific Conference) Those in attendance on the panel: Rowena McNamara, Chair, BIOS & BOSTU Alison Stanley, Vice Chair, BIOS & BOSTU Anita & Hamish McCallum, Business & Operations Managers Judith Coplowe, Director, Peters Elworthy & Moore (BIOS accountants and auditors) Before the main business started, Rowena McNamara, Chair, welcomed everyone and outlined the business for the meeting. Agenda 1. Apologies 2. Approve previous years' AGM minutes 3. To receive the Chair's report 4. Receiving accounts and approving Auditor s remuneration 5. Resolution 1 - members' fee level for 2016 at same level as 2014 and Resolution 2 - Setting of differential fee level for BIOS members in the Republic Of Ireland at Academic and Non-taxpayers rate ( 237) from 1 st January Thanking out-going officers 8. AOB 1

2 1. AGM Apologies were received from 25 members. 2. Approval of previous year's AGM minutes A proposer came forward to support the motion, Liz Tomlin, and this was seconded by Lesley-Anne Baxter. 3. Chair s report The Chair talked about the highlights of 2014 firstly in terms of events run by the British & Irish Orthoptic Society. There had been 30 events in total (inc.4 Dream Team events in different locations in the UK) and 1 scientific conference in Glasgow in 2014 (170 + attended). She asked for a show of hands from the Birmingham audience of who had been at Glasgow last year, and at least half had. The Chair then mentioned the fact that BIOS members had supported World Orthoptic Day (WOD) and also National Eye Health Week during Pictures were shown of the prize winning photo from University of Liverpool for WOD and Paula Bradshaw and team from Colchester Hospital were featured wearing their WOD t-shirts. RM then reminded members present at the AGM that the major expenditure for 2014 involved: Updating BIOS Articles of Association (or rules) to ensure key positions were sustainable and acceptable to Charity Commission; Resources to SIGs and their steering groups increased; Strengthening of heads group and Leads of Orthoptic Profession (LOOP) investment to cope with more NHS change and new commissioners e.g. Vision Screening commissioned by Councils in England And also the following key activities: Medicines/Exemptions Project; Stronger presence in E-Health e.g. funding attendance at NAHPIST patient records; Additional Clinical Tutor Courses in Leeds, London and to address clinical placement issue (and thanked Rosie Auld and Andrew Fox for their service in providing CTC courses over many years); Responding to key consultations e.g. Call to Action for Eye Health Promotion of the profession Chair remarked that some expenditure had been made in promoting the profession to key audiences like Department of Health managers (sample advertorials overleaf). It was important to explain to a range of stakeholders like this what orthoptists do and the value that they add. 2

3 Financial highlights Income remained relatively stable year on year. Expenditure exceeded income for the first time since 2010 with a 21K difference. This was because of increased activity, particularly for Special Interest Groups and exceptional items like funding changes to Articles, which included a general meeting and legal fees in Explaining the increased activity in a little more detail, it was stated that BIOS Committee & Officers expenses had risen (26K to 39K) and this included: Special Interest Group steering group meetings; Medicines /exemptions project funding had increased sharply (13K to 39K); Chair secondment monies for 2 days a week, in addition to Vice Chair payment, had also increased. Lastly the Legal & professional fees increase (4K to 22K) was as a direct result of: Updating Articles to ratify payments to Chair and Vice Chairs employers also as a result, more Trustee meetings and legal/professional fees occurred. 4. Receiving accounts and approving Auditor s remuneration Chris Timms proposed the motion and Dawn Brazier seconded. 3

4 5. Resolution 1 - members' fee level for 2016 at same level as 2014 and 2015 Carol Fawcett proposed the motion and Katerina Mappouras seconded. 6. Resolution 2 - Setting of differential fee level for BIOS members in the Republic Of Ireland at Academic and Non-taxpayers rate ( 237) from 1 st January 2016 Members were reminded that ROI members did not received Trade Union services and so the fee reduction had been proposed to correct this anomaly. Samantha Aitkenhead proposed the motion and Michelle Woods seconded it. 7. Thanking out-going officers/confirming in-coming officers The following Outgoing officers were thanked for their services to BIOS: Midland: Dawn Brazier and Katerina Mappouras Wales: Sarah Shea Scotland: Gary Evans Lesley Anne Baxter, Outgoing Chair of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society Dr Fiona Rowe, Research Director Prof Gail Stephenson, IOA and OCE representative These individuals were confirmed in post for 2015/16 (or vacancies noted): Vacant, Midlands Region Trustee Janice Waterson Wilson, Scotland Trustee (vacant from Oct) Veronica Greenwood, Northern Region Trustee Jane Hanley, Northern Ireland Trustee Gillian O Mullane, Republic of Ireland Trustee Rowena McNamara, Chair Vacant, Wales Trustee Alison Stanley, Vice Chair Joy White, Southern Region Trustee Helen Davis, Education Chair David Newsham, Editor of Journal Vacant, Research Director Julie Cartledge, LOOP Lead (co-opted) Vacant, Representatives for IOA Council of Management & OCE Council 4

5 8. AOB Everyone was thanked for their contribution in continuing to make BIOS successful including: BIOS members BIOS officers Branch officers and committees SIG Leads Education, Research, International and Journal leads And the following was promised for later in 2015 and 2016: BIOS website Autumn Improved look & feel and simplified BIOS strategy Supporting the profession in tangible ways Education/Curriculum role funded Outcomes person funded Questions/issued raised During the meeting Kelly MacKenzie posed a question about Exemptions and how important it was to pursue independent prescribing so that members could manage ocular conditions autonomously. A discussion started. Rosie Auld commented that it would be detrimental to the profession if we did not proceed with Independent Prescribing when we were able to. Chris Timms echoed this and said that orthoptists would be significantly disadvantaged if we did not do this. RM acknowledged the strong feeling which would be discussed with BIOS Trustees at the next meeting. Meeting closed

6 1431 The BOSTU meeting started 1. Apologies from 25 members 2. Approve previous years' minutes Michelle Woods proposed and Claire Howard seconded 3. To receive the Chair's Report Highlights from the report included the following: Agenda for change under threat Health Minister, Jeremy Hunt, went against Pay Review Body recommendations and almost froze pay for those in England Different pay outcomes for other parts of UK &Ireland Led to strike and industrial action on 10 th July 2014 RM pointed out the BOSTU area of the BIOS website had kept members updated on key issues like: TUPE 2015 Parental leave & pay She let the audience know that approx. 12 cases were dealt with and supported in 2014 including: Downbanding, Restructuring and change, Management of Change, Dignity at Work, Sickness absence and Return to work. There were considerably more informal requests for support and single questions fielded by business managers, TU Adviser, Chair and the Senior Negotiating Officer provided by CSP. 6

7 4. Receiving of BOSTU accounts for 2014 It was reported that the trade union had spent slightly less in 2014 and adjustments were being made in the accounting process to reflect the true cost of BOSTU for next year. Lesley-Anne Baxter approved the motion and Chris Timms seconded. 5. Resolution - Approval of new BOS TU Rules Members were reminded that in updating the BIOS Articles of Association (voted through by members on 11/12/14); there were now issues with the BOSTU rules and so updated ones had been drafted to: Dealt with these inconsistencies e.g. notice period of members; Ensure that expectations of members are clearly described in terms of service and legal opinion provided. Liz Tomlin proposed the motion and Dawn Brazier seconded. 6. To receive officers for 2015 Midland Region: Vacant Scotland Region: Janice Waterson Wilson (vacant from October) Northern Region: Veronica Greenwood Northern Ireland region: Jane Hanley Chair: Rowena McNamara Wales Region: Vacant Vice Chair: Alison Stanley Southern Region: Joy White 7. To appoint BOSTU Adviser It was announced that Lesley-Anne Baxter has been appointed as BOSTU adviser for a 3 year term, renewable for another 3 years through the normal recruitment process. Meeting closed