How is HEIA managed
Managing the Institute
The Institute comprises s, one from each state and territory. At a national level the affairs of the Institute are managed by a council. Council determines policy and generally conducts and coordinates the business of the Institute. Council is made up of ten members: a representative from each of the eight Divisions (known as delegates), the immediate Past-President (or President-elect), and the current President. Each President serves as President-elect for one year, President for two years and finally Past-President for one year. Each Council delegate appointed by Divisions has one vote at Council meetings. The President-elect and Past-President do not have a vote. The President has only a casting vote.
From the eight divisional representatives, Council elects a secretary, a treasurer, and an executive member, who with the President and immediate Past-president (or President-elect) form the executive The President, while a member of one of the Divisions, does not represent any one Division, as is the case for the Past president and the President-elect.
Council meets approximately three times each year, sometimes at face-to-face meetings, sometimes by teleconferencing. The executive members consult more frequently on day-to-day matters of the Institute, and delegates have regular and ongoing input in the running of the Institute.
The Institute convenes an Annual General Meeting in each calendar year. At the AGM, reports on the activities of the Institute during the preceding financial year are received, including those from the President, secretary, treasurer and auditor. In the year that the President has been in office for one year, the President-elect is elected at the AGM.
In addition, Council may convene a Special General Meeting. Such a meeting can also be convened at the request of not less than 3% of the total number of members. Council has established a number of standing committees to manage the affairs of the Institute.
The standing committees are:
- Archiving
The purpose of the Archiving Standing Committee is to manage HEIA policy and procedures to ensure that all relevant documents and other materials are collected and appropriately archived in the National Library of Australia. In so doing, original records that reflect the work of the Home Economics Institute of Australia Inc. and the Home Economics Association of Australia will be preserved. The policy and procedures should ensure a collection of materials that preserves documentary evidence of the history of the Home Economics Institute of Australia as part of the Australian community. These materials of cultural and historical significance should provide a rich resource for research into Australian history and culture. - Consumer Affairs
The Consumer Affairs Standing Committee has not functioned as a separate committee since 2000. Its work pertaining to public health issues (for example, food and nutrition consumer issues) is managed by the Public Health Standing Committee. Consumer issues other than those pertaining to public health are dealt with by the relevant Standing or Sub-committee in the absence of a Consumer Affairs Standing Committee. - Education
The purpose of the Education Standing Committee is to develop a vision to support home economists working in the field of formal education and to implement strategies to support the vision. This includes the provision of high quality materials and services to support teachers and others involved in education, and advocacy for structures that ensure the continuation of home economics education. - Finance
The purpose of the Finance Standing Committee is to manage policy and procedures that ensure fiscal responsibility related to all monies, both incoming and outgoing, related to the Home Economics Institute of Australia Inc. This includes income from, for example:
– membership fees
– journal subscriptions
– tendered projects
– materials sold by HEIA Inc.
– national conferences
– investments.
This does not include monies disbursed for use by Divisions; once disbursed, these monies are the responsibility of the Divisions. - International affairs
The purpose of the International Affairs Standing Committee is to provide a means by which Australian home economists may contribute to and learn about international home economics affairs, including the provision of a structure through which Australian home economists can present formal views to the International Federation for Home Economics.
The International Affairs Standing Committee focuses on enhancing home economics in the IFHE Pacific Region.
The International Affairs Standing Committee provides HEIA Inc. Council, and the IFHE Vice President, Pacific Region with the advice and support in matters related to international home economics issues. - Membership
The purpose of the Membership Standing Committee is to manage policy and procedures related to the membership of the Home Economics Institute of Australia Inc. This involves managing, for example, the preparation, and processing of relevant membership forms, membership kits, the database, and managing a paid Secretariat, if one is used. - Merchandising
The purpose of the Merchandising Standing Committee is to manage HEIA policy and procedures related to HEIA merchandise. Specifically, the Merchandising Standing Committee co-ordinates Task Groups to handle merchandise. It is responsible for merchandising goods developed by HEIA Inc. (e.g. books, posters) as well as goods developed by other producers (e.g. commercial book publications, resource kits, etc.). The Standing Committee is responsible for ensuring that merchandise selected for sale by HEIA meets acceptable standards and that HEIA is supportive of content and quality. - Professional development
The purpose of the Professional Development Standing Committee is to develop a vision to support the professional needs of home economists and to implement strategies to support the vision. - Public health
The purpose of the Public Health Standing Committee is to manage HEIA policy and procedures related to public health as it relates to everyday living of community members. Specifically, the Public Health Standing Committee provides a mechanism whereby HEIA can respond to and advocate to government and industry on public health issues, apply for funding for projects in order for HEIA to make a contribution to public health and to educate members on public health issues. - Publications
The purpose of the Publications Standing Committee is to manage policy and procedures related to national HEIA publications, including Journals, newsletters, and any other published material (e.g. Members' Handbook, Constitution, national Conference Proceedings, Annual Report, stationery, etc.) to ensure that members, Divisions and Council have access to relevant, high quality publications that meet their needs. - Research
The purpose of the Research Standing Committee is to provide directional advice and to facilitate the undertaking of research relevant to HEIA Inc., in order to further advance the goals of the Institute. The support provided by the Research Standing Committee could be in the form of identifying the areas of need for research, funding sources, preparing submissions for funding, lobbying for and advocating for financial support for research, managing research projects, and ensuring quality research ventures. - Telecommunications
The purpose of the Telecommunications Standing Committee is to manage HEIA policy and procedures related to telecommunications both within the Institute and within the wider society. The Telecommunications Standing Committee (TSC) provides a mechanism to ensure efficient and effective telecommunication between those involved in management of HEIA at the following levels:
– national
– Divisional
– members
– between HEIA and the wider society.
In particular, the Committee is responsible for establishing, managing and monitoring the HEIA website.
While each Division has its own internal structure, committee of management and business to manage, Divisions have also accepted responsibility for one or more of the standing committees formed by Council.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 23:00