QUEENSLAND YOUNG LAWYERS INC Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Date: Thursday, 26 September 2013 Place and Time: Present: Apologies: Minute taker: Pig N Whistle, Eagle Street, Brisbane at 6.00 pm Kristin Ramsey, David Topp, Amy Richardson, Matthew Flint, Andrew Staples, Georgina Cleveland, Adrian Robins, Nicola Kent, Natalie Lazar, Maritsa Samios, Tessa Eustace, Danielle Keyes, Sarah Quiqley, Jason Fletcher, Lauren Austin, Ann-Maree Waugh, Samantha Wooding, Stephani Russo, Iain McCowie, Sarah Black, Julian Creagh, Borhan Borhani, Jennifer McKain, Florence Chen, John McEniery Emmelene Gray Sarah Black 1. Welcome and apologies The President, Kristin Ramsey, opened the meeting, welcomed all attendees and noted the apologies of Emmelene Gray 2. Minutes of 2012 AGM The President, Kristin Ramsey moved that the committee accept and adopt the minutes of the 2012 AGM. The motion was seconded by David Topp. All members present (and by Proxy) voted in favour of the motion. The motion was passed. 3. Matters arising from the 2012 AGM Minutes There were no matters arising from the 2012 AGM Minutes. 4. President s report (Kristin Ramsey) The President thanked the committee for their efforts during 2012/2013 and reported that the organisation had continued to excel in particular with the increase in the size of events and turn out of members, including a record breaking turn out at the Queensland Golden Gavel. The organisation had 30 more members than it had in the previous year.
The President reported that something the committee was particularly proud of this year was that the new website was up and running, with special thanks to Borhan Borhani for his management and completion of the project. This means that members can join and register for events in a more efficient and professional manner. The Committee had also implemented a new HD logo, a new banner and merchandise. A highlight of the year was the new events held during the year, being the National Golden Gavel and the Australian Young Lawyers Conference. The Committee had received very positive feedback in respect of these events. The events were a testament to how far the organisation had come in the last few years. Kristin thanked the Committee for all of their hard work in executing the events, particularly key organisers Florence Chen and Borhan Borhani, and Sarah Black and David Topp, for their input. The President also thanked the Sponsors and gave special mention to Visis Private Wealth and Empire Careers who have continued to be a fantastic sponsor and supporter of QYL. The President farewelled the members of the existing management committee who were not renominating for 2013/14 Holly Whitcroft, Richie Muir, David Topp, Julian Creagh and Adrian Robins. The President gave special thanks to David Topp, who was retiring from the Committee after 6 years. His help and input over the last 6 years has been invaluable. Finally, the President summarised the challenges that she saw ahead for the Committee and the organisation as a whole. While Visis and Empire have continued to be excellent sponsors, other sponsors have proved challenging throughout the year due to market forces. Sponsorship will be an ongoing challenge for the incoming committee. It is important that the organisation ensured that it maintained its relevance, with increased competition from other organisations, such as QLS Early Career Lawyers. In summary, the President was pleased to be ending her Presidency with the organisation in great shape for the incoming year. She wished Florence and Borhan luck for the upcoming Presidential election. The President formerly welcomed the new management committee members for 2013/14 and wished the committee the best of luck and continued future success.
5. Treasurer s Report (David Topp) The Treasurer reported that the Association s accounts had passed audit and that he would shortly file the Association s financial statement, audit report and annual return with the Office of Fair Trading. The Treasurer reported that the organisation had made a profit of $2,249 during the financial year. The Association s net assets as at 30 June 2013 were $12,299 being a 20% increase in the Association s financial position as at 30 June 2012. The Treasurer made special note of the fact that the venue hire costs had significantly increased in the last financial year and while the ticket prices had also slightly increased the increase in ticket prices did not outweigh the venue hire increases. The Treasurer further noted that the memberships had increased by 30 during the course of the financial year. The Treasurer commented that the association should focus in the coming year on increasing numbers at events. He noted that the Pullman had been an excellent venue throughout the year and represented great value for the costs incurred. David moved that the committee accept the Treasurer s report. The motion was seconded by Kristin Ramsey. All members present (and by voted in favour of the motion. The motion was passed. 6. Appointment of Auditor The President moved that Stephen Blake of SMB Accounting Pty Ltd be appointed as the Association s Auditor for 2013/14. The motion was seconded by David Topp and all members present (and by Proxy) voted in favour of the motion. The motion was carried. 7. Public Liability Insurance The President formerly gave notice, pursuant to section 70(2) of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, that the Association holds an extant public liability insurance policy which provides total personal injury coverage to an extent of $20 million. 8. Election of management committee for 2013/14 A count of the proxy votes and an anonymous ballot was conducted in respect of the positions of President and Queensland Representative on the Australian Young Lawyers Committee.
The Secretary explained to the members present that their ballots would be anonymous and each member could only vote once for each position. The nominees for each position were as follows: President: Florence Chen and Borhan Borhani AYLC Representative: Kristin Ramsey, Georgina Cleveland and Sam Gray The Secretary and the Treasurer conducted a count of the proxy votes and ballot papers. Danielle Keyes acted as an independent observer of the count. The positions of Secretary and Treasurer were elected unopposed. The ordinary positions on the Committee were elected unopposed. As a result of the vote, the management committee for 2013/14 is made up as follows: President: Florence Chen Vice-President: No nominations. No one elected. Treasurer: Jason Fletcher Secretary: Amy Richardson QLD Representative for the Australian Young Lawyers Committee: Kristin Ramsey Committee Members: Sarah Black Jennifer McKain Phillip Ridgway Georgina Cleveland Natalie Lazar Ann-Maree Waugh Stephani Russo Sarah Quiqley Nicola Kent Sam Gray
Nick Davies 9. General Business The Secretary, Sarah Black moved that the proxy votes and ballot papers be destroyed. The motion was seconded by Kristin. All members present voted in favour of the motion. The motion was passed. It was noted that due to the change in composition of the executive, Sarah Black, David Topp and Kristin Ramsey are to be removed from the Association s records held at The Heritage Bank as signatories for the Association s bank account; and that Jason Fletcher (Incoming-Treasurer), Florence Chen (Incoming-President) and Amy Richardson (Incoming- Secretary) will be recorded as signatories for the Association s Heritage Bank account. 10. Next Meeting Amy Richardson will contact the 2013/14 Committee Members regarding the details for the next committee meeting. The meeting was concluded at approximately 7:05pm.