MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING Held at Terraces on ... - RCSA

RCSA QLD/NT General Meeting Minutes – 31 October 2007 Page 1
<strong>MINUTES</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>GENERAL</strong> <strong>MEETING</strong>
<strong>Held</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Terraces</strong> on Wickham
on Wednesday, 31 October 2007
<strong>MEETING</strong> OPENED – The Chairperson, RCSA QLD/NT Acting President Cristy Lutherborrow
MRCSA, opened the meeting <strong>at</strong> 5:45pm.
1. Attendees
Angus Warmb<strong>at</strong>h MRCSA
Ben Lewis
Bernice Smith
Cristy Lutherborrow MRCSA
Charlie Duncan MRCSA
Denis Dadds MRCSA
Emily Jones MRCSA
George Griffin
Jim Cooper MRCSA
Jodie Fitness
K<strong>at</strong>hy Lynch
Kirsten M<strong>at</strong>hieson
Lindsay Howard
Lynne Walsh
Melissa Mahoney MRCSA
Martin Turner
Mary Martin MRCSA
Michael Speck
Nic Clark
Rhonda Thorburn MRCSA
Rob Wilson
Scott Oakhill
Stephen Shepherd MRCSA
Trent Curtis
Lawrie Munro
Michael Crowe
David Da Zilva
Scott De-Brusaux
Joan McDermott MRCSA
Carla Mendoza-Pouchet
Brad O’Neill
David Grace
Apologies
Emma Kirkwood
Diane Epps MRCSA
Kim Malone-Schultz MRCSA
Rob Bromage MRCSA
Graham Moss MRCSA
Belinda Young
Neale Rivett MRCSA
Erayne Stuart
Michael McPhee
Gerry Deakin MRCSA
Colin Levander MRCSA
Margaret Thomas MRCSA
Lorraine Romeril-Smith
Executive Resource Group
Manpower
Clements Recruitment
Ausenco
Health Workforce Queensland
Manpower Professional
Manpower
Cadden Crowe Pty Ltd
Davidson Recruitment
Cadden Crowe Pty Ltd
TCG Careers & Management Pty Ltd
PKL Personnel Pty Ltd
RecruitmentSuper
RecruitmentSuper
Melissa Mahoney Recruitment
The Turner Group
Mary Martin Consulting Pty Ltd
AWX Labour Solutions
Cadden Crowe Pty Ltd
Kelly Services
RecruitmentSuper
AWX Labour Solutions
Vedior Asia Pacific
OneTest Pty Ltd
Recruitman
Cadden Crowe
RecruitmentSuper
Cadden Crowe Pty Ltd
Macquarie People
Scott Recruitment Services
Bank of Queensland
Cooper Grace Ward
Select Appointments
IPA Personnel Pty Ltd
Kim-Malone & Associ<strong>at</strong>es Recruitment
Australian Professional Recruiters Group Pty Ltd
Oxley Nursing Service
Select Appointments
In 2 People Pty Ltd
ES Recruitment
Michael McPhee Human Resources
Deakin Sharpe Consulting Pty Ltd
John Davidson & Associ<strong>at</strong>es
Margaret Thomas Medical Recruitment
HMA Blaze

RCSA QLD/NT General Meeting Minutes – 31 October 2007 Page 2
Philip Pearce
Faiyaz Devjee
Rachel Burdett MRCSA
Bond Recruitment Pty Ltd
TAD Technical Careers & Recruitment
Placements Australia Management Consultants
2. Regional President’s Report
Cristy Lutherborrow provided the Regional President’s Report for the RCSA QLD/NT as
follows. A full copy of the President’s Report was provided for all <strong>at</strong>tendees as part of the
General Meeting Paperwork.
“The continuing challenges of the booming Queensland and Australian economy have
placed plenty of pressure on all professionals in the industry and have provided our
members and their teams with increased pressures as they seek to meet the expect<strong>at</strong>ions
of clients and candid<strong>at</strong>es.
This situ<strong>at</strong>ion is not just confined to Australia, as many intern<strong>at</strong>ional clients are seeking to
meet commitments intern<strong>at</strong>ionally as the global economy continues to boom.
For RCSA it has continued to be a busy and challenging year as our n<strong>at</strong>ional based
organis<strong>at</strong>ion seeks to service members utilising modern day technology and still retain the
face to face rel<strong>at</strong>ionship of the networking role which is so important for members and
their professional development.
This is a continuing challenge for the profession as we strive to ensure th<strong>at</strong> we maintain
our professional role in servicing the industry in this time of a critical jobs skills shortage
across so many professional areas.
From a personal perspective, I am delighted to have served as Acting President of the
QLD/NT Regional Council for the past four months.
The year for the QLD/NT region has continued to be one of growth and consolid<strong>at</strong>ion for
the Region with many positive achievements on which to build for the future.
Membership of the RCSA QLD/NT Region has continued to increase steadily over the past
year, and there continues to be a consistent stream of new membership applic<strong>at</strong>ions each
month. There are now more than 490 members in Queensland and almost 30 members in
the Northern Territory. These figures are encouraging, and it is pleasing th<strong>at</strong> our ongoing
work to provide quality member benefits has been recognised by this increase in
membership.
RCSA QLD/NT events are continuing to provide a valuable member benefit, with more than
400 people <strong>at</strong>tending various functions throughout the year.
Our regular breakfast seminars, held on the first Friday of every month, continue to be a
valuable networking and learning forum for our members. I urge members to diarise this
time slot so th<strong>at</strong> we can continue to enjoy the opportunity for regular professional
exchanges.
The RCSA continues to evalu<strong>at</strong>e each function and implement changes where necessary in
order to meet its members’ needs in a more effective manner. We are also continuing to
deliver ongoing professional development opportunities, with many members <strong>at</strong>tending
the various RCSA QLD/NT workshops and educ<strong>at</strong>ion programs held throughout the past
twelve months.
With support from the Regional Functions Committee and the RCSA N<strong>at</strong>ional Office, the
Region has reintroduced a series of regular networking evenings. These functions are
specifically designed to provide members and their guests with an opportunity to network
and discuss key industry issues in a slightly more relaxed and informal environment. To
d<strong>at</strong>e the number of <strong>at</strong>tendees <strong>at</strong> these functions has been promising; however the
continued support of such events by members is crucial.
Professional development does need a commitment and I hope th<strong>at</strong> members recognise
the need to be involved in these programs.

RCSA QLD/NT General Meeting Minutes – 31 October 2007 Page 3
In the political arena, the RCSA QLD/NT is continuing to look <strong>at</strong> proactive str<strong>at</strong>egies to
build and foster rel<strong>at</strong>ionships with key Government bodies and industry stakeholders.
Earlier this year represent<strong>at</strong>ives from the Region met with the Honourable John Mickel,
Minister for St<strong>at</strong>e Development, Employment and Industrial Rel<strong>at</strong>ions to discuss pertinent
issues affecting the recruitment and on-hire industry in Queensland. This meeting was a
significant success and the RCSA will continue to look <strong>at</strong> ways to build upon this key
rel<strong>at</strong>ionship in the future.
With the PEA legisl<strong>at</strong>ion in Queensland regul<strong>at</strong>ing our professional activities and
performance, it is important th<strong>at</strong> we continue to receive feedback so th<strong>at</strong> the practicalities
of the administr<strong>at</strong>ion of the laws can be reviewed by the advisory committee. The RCSA
continues to maintain an active liaison with the Government and was also represented <strong>at</strong>
the ALP St<strong>at</strong>e Conference through our Regional Secretari<strong>at</strong>.
During the past twelve months the Region also cre<strong>at</strong>ed forums through events for our
members to address senior staff from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland,
Department of Industrial Rel<strong>at</strong>ions and the Department of Immigr<strong>at</strong>ion.
The Regional Council continues to meet regularly to deal with member issues and events
delivery. I wish to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thank you to all Councillors
and Committee members for their hard work during the past 12 months. The commitment
and support of all Council members has been invaluable in contributing to the Region’s
successes during the year.
In particular I wish to pay tribute to the efforts of outgoing Councillor Kim Malone-Schultz.
Kim has been a long-standing member of the Regional Council in Queensland, and has
served as Chair of the Educ<strong>at</strong>ion and Training Committee for many years.
Her contribution and enthusiasm in these roles has been invaluable to the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion and
its members in Queensland. Kim’s input has been an asset to the RCSA and will be sorely
missed in the coming years.
Involvement in the RCSA Council continues to provide the opportunity for all members to
get involved <strong>at</strong> a local level with industry initi<strong>at</strong>ives and areas of concern. It is important
for the RCSA to have a strong and active voice <strong>at</strong> a regional level, and Queensland
Councillors are pivotal in this area. I encourage you all to consider becoming more
involved in Associ<strong>at</strong>ion m<strong>at</strong>ters, whether as a Councillor or as a member of a Committee,
<strong>at</strong> a very exciting time for our industry and the RCSA.
In closing, I look forward to seeing the Council build upon the successes achieved this
year, and the ongoing commitment of the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion towards working for the benefit of
members and the industry.”
N<strong>at</strong>ional President’s Report
RCSA Australia/New Zealand President Stephen Shepherd MRCSA tabled the N<strong>at</strong>ional
President’s report as follows. A full copy of the President’s Report was circul<strong>at</strong>ed to all
members.
“Championing the Accredited Professional program, raising awareness of our Code for
Professional Practice and forging close rel<strong>at</strong>ionships with key Government departments are
just some of the areas th<strong>at</strong> the RCSA has focused on early in the last year.
We have chosen to focus on these areas for a two-fold reason. Firstly, high professional
standards and a positive regul<strong>at</strong>ory environment underpin the business success of our
growing industry, which is estim<strong>at</strong>ed to be worth up to $22 billion annually.
And secondly, while it’s important th<strong>at</strong> the industry is following best practice, it is equally
important th<strong>at</strong> it is seen to be doing so. Perceptions are important, among clients,
candid<strong>at</strong>es, regul<strong>at</strong>ors and the broader community, so it’s crucial th<strong>at</strong> we continue to send

RCSA QLD/NT General Meeting Minutes – 31 October 2007 Page 4
out positive messages about the work we do, the way we do it, and the results we
achieve.
Moreover, if we are to dispel any neg<strong>at</strong>ive perceptions of the recruitment and on-hire
industry, we need to do more than simply get our own house in order – we have to tell
people th<strong>at</strong> we have.
We have been achieving this in a number of ways. We have a strong ongoing focus on
building our media presence, and with the RCSA appearing in almost 270 articles in the
past year. The topics and audience for these are divers, ranging from publicizing
Government submissions, to encouraging <strong>at</strong>tendance <strong>at</strong> events, through to highlighting
the growth of the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion.
One of the most effective ways to improve the industry’s profile has been through direct
dialogue with those in Government, and this year has also seen us working increasingly
closely with Opposition figures in the lead up to the Federal election.
We liaise with these leaders in a range of ways. Sometimes it’s based on direct
convers<strong>at</strong>ion and lobbying with the Minister’s Department and its staff, for example o the
issue of 457 Visas. This was also supported by formal submissions and an appearance <strong>at</strong> a
parliamentary hearing.
Other events bring our industry leaders together for a more informal, intim<strong>at</strong>e and often
robust discussion on critical industry issue. Such CEO Roundtables have been held with
Tony Burke MP, Shadow Minister for Immigr<strong>at</strong>ion, Integr<strong>at</strong>ion & Citizenship; Phil Barresi
MP, Chair of the House Workplace Rel<strong>at</strong>ions Committee and Abul Rizvi, Deputy Secretary,
Department of Immigr<strong>at</strong>ion and Multicultural Affairs.
Other, more public, forums seek to cre<strong>at</strong>e a convers<strong>at</strong>ion between diverse stakeholders.
Our Lifelong Learning Think Tank, fe<strong>at</strong>uring Federal Minister for Voc<strong>at</strong>ional & Further
Educ<strong>at</strong>ion, Mr. Andrew Robb AO MP was one such event, which demonstr<strong>at</strong>ed the
industry’s thought leadership and the fact th<strong>at</strong> its leadership position on issues of n<strong>at</strong>ional
significance.
At times, the most appropri<strong>at</strong>e form<strong>at</strong> is a large event <strong>at</strong>tended by a broad range of
Members, where policy makers can provide a first hand insight into their thinking. This
was the case for Fair Pay Commissioner Ian Harper, who spoke <strong>at</strong> our AGM lunch, and
Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, whom we heard <strong>at</strong> a special dinner in
Sydney.
The key to all of these events is Member particip<strong>at</strong>ion. Many recruitment professionals say
they want the industry to be better esteemed, and th<strong>at</strong> it should to be taking into account
when policy is written. These Members need to <strong>at</strong>tend such events, as it is the only way to
ensure their voice is heard, and th<strong>at</strong> we have a fair represent<strong>at</strong>ion of all views from within
the industry.
They also need to commit to becoming an Accredited Professional, to <strong>at</strong>tending training
and implementing best practice, and to constantly exemplifying the high standards of
business practice th<strong>at</strong> this industry should be adhering to.
Ultim<strong>at</strong>ely, if we are to be valued for our contribution to business, recognised for the
professional value th<strong>at</strong> we add, it is important th<strong>at</strong> we are all seen as professional,
accountable and influential.”
3. Financial Report
The Consolid<strong>at</strong>ed Financial Report for the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion for the financial year ending 30 June
2007 was tabled <strong>at</strong> the General Meeting. A copy of the financial report, the Directors’
Report and the Independent Audit Report was provided to all <strong>at</strong>tendees.
Stephen Shepherd MRCSA asked if there were any questions regarding the Financial Report.
There were no questions.

RCSA QLD/NT General Meeting Minutes – 31 October 2007 Page 5
4. Appointment of RCSA QLD/NT Regional Council
Continuing Councillors:
Cristy Lutherborrow advised the following people were elected <strong>at</strong> the previous General
Meeting for the 2006 to 2008 period and will remain on the Regional Council –
Corpor<strong>at</strong>e Members
Graham Moss MRCSA
Faiyaz Devjee
Charlie Duncan MRCSA
Mary Martin MRCSA
Robert Bromage MRCSA
Emma Kirkwood
Belinda Young
Accredited Members
Diane Epps MRCSA
Oxley Nursing Service
TAD Technical Careers & Contracts
Health Workforce Queensland
Mary Martin Consulting
Australian Professional Recruiters Group
Select Appointments
Select Appointments
IPA Personnel
New Councillors:
Cristy Lutherborrow advised the following Council nomin<strong>at</strong>ions had been received for the
2007 to 2009 period –
Corpor<strong>at</strong>e Members
Denis Dadds MRCSA
Martin Turner
Joan McDermott MRCSA
Rhonda Thorburn
Manpower
The Turner Group
Macquarie People
Kelly Services
Accredited Members
Cristy Lutherborrow MRCSA Ausenco
James Cooper MRCSA Davidson Recruitment
There being no further nomin<strong>at</strong>ions, Cristy Lutherborrow declared these nominees duly
elected as Councillors of the RCSA QLD/NT Region.
The new Council members were acknowledged with applause.
5. General Business
Cristy Lutherborrow asked if there was any general business
There was no general business raised.
Cristy Lutherborrow thanked everyone for <strong>at</strong>tending the Regional General Meeting.
6. Close
There being no further business, Cristy Lutherborrow thanked everyone for their
<strong>at</strong>tendance and closed the meeting <strong>at</strong> 6:15pm.