21 resolutions in 21 days – Episode 12

Why the Secretary and Treasurer roles on the Board need to be retired

Now we are hitting some meaty territory in our constitutional change journey. Today’s instalment reflects the long methodical process that AMT has navigated, growing up from an almost entirely volunteer-run outfit, where Presidents would frequently be called on to do member mailouts from their lounge-room floor, to an organisation with 7 paid staff members.

Back in the day, it was completely normal for associations to rely on volunteer Board members to handle everything, from taking meeting minutes to balancing the books to covering loungeroom floors with hand-addressed envelopes. Having unpaid Board members fill the roles of Company Secretary and Treasurer made perfect sense when Associations were smaller and simpler.

But AMT has grown up. We need specialised skills in governance, compliance, financial reporting, and regulatory requirements that go way beyond what we can reasonably expect from volunteer Board members, no matter how dedicated they are.

The Association Secretary role requires expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and complex administration. It’s become a professional job requiring professional skills, not something you can effectively do as a volunteer side-hustle. Similarly, modern financial oversight needs dedicated finance committees supported by professional accounting and bookkeeping services, not a single Board member who might be brilliant at massage therapy but lacks professional accounting qualifications.

Removing these positions frees up Board members to focus on what they do best: strategic governance. Instead of getting bogged down in administrative details, directors can concentrate on policy development, strategic planning, and advocating for members.

This change reflects contemporary governance best practice: Boards provide strategic direction while professional staff and committees handle operational functions. It’s more efficient, reduces volunteer burden, and ensures expertise where it’s needed most.

Are you joining us at the Special General Meeting on October 19?

All AMT members are welcome to attend. Please register here.

Unable to attend but still want to exercise your democratic right? Complete a proxy voting form and return it to AMT Head Office.

This is Episode 12 in our blockbuster blog bonanza “21 Resolutions in 21 Days”, exploring the cases for constitutional change that will be considered at the upcoming Special General Meeting on October 19. Each change is designed to strengthen AMT’s governance and better serve members.

Tomorrow: Quality versus quantity in times of scarcity.