Draft GTAQ Constitution

At the June Council Meeting, the following was adopted as a proposed NEW Constitution for GTAQ. It is based on the Department of Fair Trading's model rules for incorporated associations. The draft is posted here for discussion and comment. Council at its October meeting will consider any suggested alterations prior to submitting the new constitution for ratification at the November AGM.

Members viewing this blog should be aware that the draft constitution is a Word document and in terms of indents has not translated on to the blog the same way it appears in the Word document. I have done my best to align the document as best as possible.

Regards

David Lergessner

GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND inc. RULES


WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS TO HAVE MEANING IN THE ACT



1. A word or expression that is not defined in these model rules, but is defined in the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 has, if the context permits, the meaning given by the Act.


NAME

2. The name of the incorporated association is the Geography Teachers’ Association of Queensland Inc.



OBJECTS


3. The objects of the association are –
3.1.1 further the study and teaching of geography;
3.1.2 promote the interchange of ideas on matters of geographical interest
3.1.3 provide for the dissemination of information of geographical interest through such means as conferences, meetings, seminars, video presentations, field studies, teleconferences and publications.
3.1.4 represent the views of Geography teachers to appropriate authorities.


POWERS

4. (1) The association has the powers of an individual.

(2) The association may, for example -

(a) enter into contracts; and

(b) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and

(c) make charges for services and facilities it supplies; and

(d) do other things necessary or convenient to be done in carrying out its affairs.

(3) The association may also issue secured and unsecured notes, debentures and debenture stock for the association.

CLASSES OF MEMBERS

5. (1) The membership of the association shall consist of ordinary members, and any of the following classes of members-

(a) associate members;

(b) institutional members;

(c) financial life members;

(d) honorary life members;

(e) complimentary members.

(2) The number of ordinary members is unlimited.


MEMBERSHIP
6.

(1) An application for membership must be-

(a) in writing; and

(b) signed by the applicant and the applicant's proposer and seconder; and

(c) in the form decided by the State Council.


MEMBERSHIP FEES

7. (1) The membership fee for each class of membership-

(a) is the amount decided by the members from time to time at a general meeting; and

(b) is payable when, and in the way, the State Council decides.


ADMISSION AND REJECTION OF MEMBERS

8. (1) The State Council must consider an application for membership at the next meeting of the committee held after it receives-

(a) the application; and

(b) the appropriate membership fee for the application.

(2) The State Council must decide at the meeting whether to accept or reject the application.

(3) If a majority of the State Council members present at the meeting vote to accept the applicant as a member, the applicant must be accepted as a member to the class of membership applied for.

(4) The secretary of the association must, as soon as practicable after the State Council decides to accept or reject an application, give the applicant a written notice of the decision.


WHEN MEMBERSHIP ENDS

9. (1) A member may resign from the association by giving a written notice of resignation to the secretary.

(2) The resignation takes effect on-
(a) the day and at the time the notice is received by the secretary; or
(b) if a later day is stated in the notice - the later day.

(3) The State Council may terminate a member’s membership if the member -

(a) is convicted of an indictable offence; or

(b) does not comply with any of the provisions of these rules; or

(c) has membership fees in arrears for at least 2 months; or

(d) conducts himself or herself in a way considered to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of the association.

(4) Before the State Council terminates a member’s membership, the committee must give the member a full and fair opportunity to show why the membership should not be terminated.

(5) If, after considering all representations made by the member, the State Council decides to terminate the membership, the secretary of the committee must give the member a written notice of the decision.


APPEAL AGAINST REJECTION OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

10. (1) A person whose application for membership has been rejected, or whose membership has been terminated, may give the secretary written notice of the person's intention to appeal against the decision.

(2) A notice of intention to appeal must be given to the secretary within 1 month after the person receives written notice of the decision.

(3) If the secretary receives a notice of intention to appeal, the secretary must, within 3 months after the day of receipt, call a general meeting to decide the appeal.

(4) At the meeting, the applicant must be given a full and fair opportunity to show why the application should not be rejected or the membership should not be terminated.

(5) Also, the State Council and the committee members who rejected the application or terminated the membership must be given an opportunity to show why the application should be rejected or the membership should be terminated.

(6) An appeal must be decided by a vote of the members present at the meeting.

(7) If a person whose application has been rejected does not appeal against the decision within 1 month after receiving written notice of the decision, or the person appeals but the appeal is unsuccessful, the secretary must, as soon as practicable, refund the application fee paid by the person.

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

11. (1) The Membership Secretary must keep a register of members.

(2) The register of members must include the following particulars for each member-

(a) the full name and residential address of the member;

(b) the date of admission as a member;

(c) the date of death or resignation of the member;

(d) details about the termination or reinstatement of membership;

(e) any other particulars the State Council or the members at a general meeting decide.

(3) The register must be open for inspection at all reasonable times.

(4) However, before the member may inspect the register, the member must apply to the secretary to inspect it.


SECRETARY

12. (1) If a vacancy happens in the office of secretary, the members of the State Council must ensure a secretary is appointed or elected for the association within 1 month after the vacancy happens.

(2) The secretary must be an individual residing in Queensland, or in another State but not more than 65 km from the Queensland border, who is -

(a) a member of the association elected by the association as secretary; or

(b) any of the following persons appointed by the State Council-

(i) a member of the association's State Council;

(ii) a member of the association;

(iii) another person.

(3) The State Council may appoint and remove the association’s secretary at any time.


MEMBERSHIP OF STATE COUNCIL

13. (1) The State Council of the association consists of a president, vice-president, treasurer, and any other members the association members elect or appoint at a general meeting.

(2) A member of the State Council, other than the secretary, must be a member of the association.

(3) At each annual general meeting of the association, the members of the State Council must retire from office, but are eligible, on nomination, for re-election.


ELECTING THE STATE COUNCIL

14. (1) A member of the State Council may only be elected as follows-

(a) any 2 members of the association may nominate another member (the candidate) to serve as a member of the State Council;

(b) the nomination must be-
(i) in writing; and
(ii) signed by the candidate and the members who nominated him or her; and
(iii) given to the secretary at least 14 days before the annual general meeting at which the election is to be held;

(c) each member present at the annual general meeting may vote for any number of candidates not more than the number of vacancies;

(d) if, at the start of the meeting, there are not enough candidates nominated, nominations may be taken from the floor of the meeting.

(2) A list of the candidates' names in alphabetical order, with the names of the members who nominated each candidate, must be posted in a conspicuous place in the office or usual place of meeting of the association for at least 7 days immediately preceding the annual general meeting.

(3) If required by the State Council, balloting lists must be prepared containing the names of the candidates in alphabetical order.

RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF STATE COUNCIL MEMBER

15. (1) A State Council member may resign from the committee by giving written notice of resignation to the secretary.

(2) The resignation takes effect on-
(a) the day and at the time the notice is received by the secretary; or
(b) if a later day is stated in the notice - the later day.

(3) A member may be removed from office at a general meeting of the association if a majority of the members present at the meeting vote in favour of removing the member.

(4) Before a vote of members is taken about removing the member from office, the member must be given a full and fair opportunity to show cause why he or she should not be removed from office.

(5) A member has no right of appeal against the member's removal from office under this section.


VACANCIES ON STATE COUNCIL

16. (1) If a casual vacancy happens on the State Council, the continuing members of the committee may appoint another member of the association to fill the vacancy until the next annual general meeting.

(2) The continuing members of the State Council may act despite a casual vacancy on the State Council.

(3) However, if the number of committee members is less than the number fixed under these rules as a quorum of the State Council,[1] the continuing members may act only to-

(a) increase the number of State Council members to the number required for a quorum; or

(b) call a general meeting of the association.


FUNCTIONS OF STATE COUNCIL

17. (1) Subject to these rules or a resolution of the association members carried at a general meeting, the State Council -

(a) has the general control and management of the administration of the affairs, property and funds of the association; and

(b) has authority to interpret the meaning of these rules and any matter relating to the association on which the rules are silent.

(2) The State Council may exercise the powers of the association -

(a) to borrow, raise or secure the payment of amounts in a way the association members decide; and

(b) to secure the amounts mentioned in paragraph (a) or the payment or performance of any debt, liability, contract, guarantee or other engagement incurred or to be entered into by the association in any way, including by the issue of debentures (perpetual or otherwise) charged upon the whole or part of the association's property, both present and future; and

(c) to purchase, redeem or pay off any securities issued; and

(d) to borrow amounts from members and pay interest on the amounts borrowed; and

(e) to mortgage or charge the whole or part of its property; and

(f) to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the association; and

(g) to provide and pay off any securities issued; and

(h) to invest in a way the members of the association may from time to time decide.


(3) For sub-section (2)(d), the rate of interest must not be more than the current rate being charged for overdrawn accounts on money lent (regardless of the term of the loan) by -

(a) the financial institution for the association; or

(b) if there is more than 1 financial institution for the association - the financial institution nominated by the association.


MEETINGS OF STATE COUNCIL

18. (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (16), the State Council may meet and conduct its proceedings as it considers appropriate.

(2) The State Council must meet at least once every 4 months to exercise its functions.

(3) The committee must decide how a meeting is to be called.

(4) Notice of a meeting is to be given in the way decided by the committee.

(5) If the secretary receives a written request signed by at least 33% of the State Council members, the secretary must call a special meeting of the committee.

(6) A request for a special meeting must state-

(a) why the special meeting is being called; and

(b) the business to be conducted at the meeting.

(7) At a State Council meeting, more than 50% of the members elected or appointed to the committee as at the close of the last general meeting of the members form a quorum.

(8) A question arising at a committee meeting is to be decided by a majority vote of committee members present at the meeting and, if the votes are equal, the question is decided in the negative.

(9) A State Council member must not vote on a question about a contract or proposed contract with the association if the member has an interest in the contract or proposed contract, and if the member does vote the member's vote must not be counted.

(10) The secretary must give each State Council member at least 14 days notice of a special meeting of the committee.

(11) A notice of a special meeting must state-

(a) the day, time and place of the meeting; and

(b) the business to be conducted at the meeting.

(12) The president or, if there is no president or if the president is not present within 10 minutes after the time fixed for a State Council meeting, the vice-president is to preside as chairperson at the meeting.

(13) If the president and the vice-president are absent from a State Council meeting, the members may choose 1 of their number to preside as chairperson at the meeting.

(14) If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time fixed for a State Council meeting called on the request of committee members, the meeting lapses.

(15) If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time fixed for a State Council meeting called other than on the request of committee members, the meeting is to be adjourned to-

(a) the same day, time and place in the next week; or

(b) a day, time and place decided by the committee.

(16) If, at the adjourned meeting mentioned in subsection (15), a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, the meeting lapses.


DELEGATION OF STATE COUNCIL POWERS

19. (1) The State Council may delegate the whole or part of its powers to a subcommittee consisting of the association members considered appropriate by the committee.

(2) A subcommittee may only exercise delegated powers in the way the State Council decides.

(3) A subcommittee may elect a chairperson of its meetings.

(4) If a chairperson is not elected, or if the chairperson is not present within 10 minutes after the time fixed for a meeting, the members present may choose 1 of their number to be chairperson of the meeting.

(5) A subcommittee may meet and adjourn as it considers appropriate.

(6) A question arising at a subcommittee meeting is to be decided by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting and, if the votes are equal, the question is decided in the negative.


ACTS NOT AFFECTED BY DEFECTS OR DISQUALIFICATIONS

20. (1) An act performed by the State Council, a subcommittee or a person acting as a member of the State Council is taken to have been validly performed.

(2) Subsection (1) applies even if the act was performed when-

(a) there was a defect in the appointment of a member of the State Council, subcommittee or person acting as a member of the State Council; or

(b) a State Council member, subcommittee member or person acting as a member of the State Council was disqualified from being a member.


RESOLUTIONS OF STATE COUNCIL WITHOUT MEETING

21. (1) A written resolution signed by each member of the State Council for the time being entitled to receive notice of a committee meeting is as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a committee meeting that was properly called and held.

(2) A resolution mentioned in subsection (1) may consist of several documents in like form, each signed by 1 or more members of the committee.

SUBSEQUENT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS


22. Each annual general meeting must be held -

(a) at least once each year; and

(b) within 6 months after the end of the association's previous financial year.


BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

23. The following business must be conducted at each annual general meeting -

(a) receiving the statement of income and expenditure, assets, liabilities and mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the association for the last financial year;[2]

(b) receiving the auditor's report on the financial affairs of the association for the last financial year;

(c) presenting the audited statement to the meeting for adoption;

(d) electing members of the State Council;

(e) appointing an auditor.


SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

24. (1) The secretary may only call a special general meeting by giving each member notice of the meeting within 14 days after-

(a) being directed to call the meeting by the State Council; or

(b) being given a written request signed by-

(i) at least 33% of the members of the association presently on the State Council; or

(ii) at least the number of ordinary members of the association equal to double the number of members of the association presently on the State Council plus 1; or

(c) being given a written notice of an intention to appeal against the decision of the State Council-

(i) to reject an application for membership; or

(ii) to terminate a person’s membership.

(2) A request mentioned in subsection (1) (b) must state-

(a) why the special general meeting is being called; and

(b) the business to be conducted at the meeting.


NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

25. (1) The secretary may call a general meeting of the association.

(2) The secretary must give at least 14 days notice of the meeting to each association member.

(3) The State Council may decide the way in which the notice must be given.

(4) However, notice of the following meetings must be given in writing-

(a) a meeting called to hear and decide the appeal of a member against the rejection or termination of the member’s membership by the State Council; or

(b) a meeting called to hear and decide a proposed special resolution of the association.

(5) A notice of a general meeting must state the business to be conducted at the meeting.


QUORUM FOR, AND ADJOURNMENT OF, GENERAL MEETING

26. (1) Subject to subsection (5), at a general meeting the number of members equal to double the number of members of the association presently on the State Council plus 1 form a quorum.

(2) No business may be conducted at a general meeting unless a quorum of members is present when the meeting proceeds to business.

(3) If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time fixed for a general meeting called on the request of members of the State Council or the association, the meeting lapses.

(4) If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time fixed for a general meeting called other than on the request of members of the State Council or the association, the meeting is to be adjourned to-

(a) the same day, time and place in the next week; or

(b) a day, time and place decided by the State Council.

(5) If at an adjourned meeting, a quorum under subsection (1) is not present within 30 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, the members present form a quorum.

(6) The chairperson may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present, and must if directed by the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place.

(7) If a meeting is adjourned under subsection (6), only the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place may be conducted at the adjourned meeting.

(8) The secretary is not required to give the members notice of an adjournment or of the business to be conducted at an adjourned meeting unless a meeting is adjourned for at least 30 days.

(9) If a meeting is adjourned for at least 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given in the same way notice is given for an original meeting.

(10) In this rule - "member" includes a person attending as a proxy or representing a corporation that is a member.


PROCEDURE AT GENERAL MEETING

27. (1) Subject to these rules, at each general meeting -

(a) the president or, if there is no president or if the president is not present within 15 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting or is unwilling to act, the vice-president is to preside as chairperson; and

(b) if the vice-president is absent or unwilling to act as chairperson, the members present must elect 1 of their number to be chairperson of the meeting; and

(c) the chairperson must conduct the meeting in a proper and orderly way; and

(d) each question, matter or resolution must be decided by a majority of votes of the members present; and

(e) each member present and entitled to vote is entitled to 1 vote only and, if the votes are equal, the chairperson has a casting vote as well as a primary vote; and

(f) a member is not entitled to vote at a general meeting if the member's annual subscription is in arrears at the date of the meeting; and

(g) voting may be by a show of hands or a division of members, unless at least 20% of the members present demand a secret ballot; and

(h) if a secret ballot is held, the chairperson must appoint 2 members to conduct the secret ballot in the way the chairperson decides; and

(i) the result of a secret ballot as declared by the chairperson is taken to be a resolution of the meeting at which the ballot was held; and

(j) a member may vote in person or by proxy or by attorney and-

(i) on a show of hands, each person present who is a member or a representative of a member has 1 vote; and

(ii) in a secret ballot, each member present in person or by proxy or by attorney or other properly authorised representative has 1 vote; and

(k) an instrument appointing a proxy must be in writing; and-

(i) if the appointor is an individual - signed by the appointor or the appointor's attorney properly authorised in writing; or

(ii) if the appointor is a corporation - either under seal or signed by a properly authorised officer or attorney of the corporation; and

(l) a proxy may be a member of the association or another person; and

(m) the instrument appointing a proxy is taken to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a secret ballot; and

(n) if someone wants to give a member an opportunity to vote for or against a resolution, the instrument appointing a proxy must be in the following or like form-

GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION of QUEENSLAND:

I, of , being a member of the association, appoint
of ,
as my proxy to vote for me on my behalf at the (annual) general meeting of the

association, to be held on the day of , 20 ,
and at any adjournment of the meeting.

Signed this day of , 20 .


Signature.

* in favour of
This form is to be used the resolution.
*against

*Strike out whichever is not wanted. (Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy may vote as the proxy considers appropriate.); and

(o) each instrument appointing a proxy must be given to the secretary before the start of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; and

(p) the secretary must ensure full and accurate minutes of all questions, matters, resolutions and other proceedings of each State Council meeting and general meeting are entered in a minute book; and

(q) the secretary must ensure the minute book for each general meeting is open for inspection at all reasonable times by any financial member who previously applies to the secretary for the inspection.

(2) To ensure the accuracy of the minutes recorded under subsection (1)(p)-

(a) the minutes of each State Council meeting must be signed by the chairperson of the meeting, or the chairperson of the next State Council meeting, verifying their accuracy; and

(b) the minutes of each general meeting must be signed by the chairperson of the meeting, or the chairperson of the next general meeting, verifying their accuracy; and

(c) the minutes of each annual general meeting must be signed by the chairperson of the meeting, or the chairperson of the next meeting of the association that is a general meeting or annual general meeting, verifying their accuracy.


BY-LAWS

28. (1) The State Council may make, amend or repeal by-laws, not inconsistent with these rules, for the internal management of the association.

(2) A by-law may be set aside by a vote of members at a general meeting of the association.


ALTERATION OF RULES

29. (1) Subject to the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, these rules may be amended, repealed or added to by a special resolution carried at a general meeting.

(2) However an amendment, repeal or addition is valid only if it is registered by the chief executive.


COMMON SEAL

30. (1) The State Council must ensure the association has a common seal.

(2) The common seal must be-

(a) kept securely by the State Council; and

(b) used only under the authority of the State Council.

(3) Each instrument to which the seal is attached must be signed by a member of the State Council and countersigned by-

(a) the secretary; or
(b) another member of the State Council; or
(c) someone appointed by the State Council.


FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS

31. (1) The funds of the association must be kept in an account in the name of the association in a financial institution decided by the State Council.

(2) Records and accounts must be kept in the English language showing full and accurate particulars of the financial affairs of the association.

(3) All amounts must be deposited in the financial institution account as soon as practicable after receipt.

(4) If an amount of $100 or more is paid by cheque, the cheque must be signed by any 2 of the following-

(a) the president;

(b) the secretary;

(c) the treasurer;

(d) another member authorised by the State Council for the purpose.

(5) Cheques, other than cheques for wages, allowances or petty cash recoupment, must be crossed `not negotiable'.

(6) A petty cash account must be kept on the imprest system, and the State Council must decide the amount of petty cash to be kept in the account.

(7) All expenditure must be approved or ratified at a State Council meeting.

(8) The treasurer must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, ensure a statement containing the following particulars is prepared -

(a) the income and expenditure for the financial year just ended;

(b) the association’s assets and liabilities at the close of the year;

(c) the mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the association at the close of the year.

(9) If the association is incorporated within 3 months before the end of the association's financial year, subsection (8) does not apply for the financial year in which the association is incorporated.

(10) The auditor must examine the statement prepared under subsection (8) and present a report about it to the secretary before the next annual general meeting following the financial year for which the audit was made.

(11) The income and property of the association must be used solely in promoting the association's objects and exercising the association's powers.


DOCUMENTS

32. The State Council must ensure the safe custody of books, documents, instruments of title and securities of the association.

FINANCIAL YEAR

33. The financial year of the association closes on the 30TH of September in each year.


DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS ASSETS TO ANOTHER ENTITY

34. (1) This section applies if the association-

(a) is wound-up under part 10 of the Act;[3] and

(b) it has surplus assets.

(2) The surplus assets must not be distributed among the association members.

(3) The surplus assets must be given to another entity -

(a) having objects similar to the association's objects; and

(b) the rules of which prohibit the distribution of the entity's income and assets to its members.

(4) In this section -

"surplus assets" has the meaning given by section 92(3)[4] of the Act.


[1] For the number of members to form a quorum, see section 18(Meetings of State Council)
[2] This statement is required to be prepared under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, section 59 (Audit and statement).
[3] Part 10 (Winding-up) of the Act
[4] Section 92 (Distribution of surplus assets) of the Act.

From GTAQ Council June 2006

An interesting meeting with Council being introspective and spending time examining the best ways of delivering useful product to members.

1. The new website for GTAQ will be unveiled or revealed at Conference. This website has been designed by Chris Smeed and should be more user-friendly than the old site which has been operating since 1997. There will be forums through which members can voice their opinions and the site will be far more responsive to change than the old site. The address will be available soon.

2. Council ratified a new draft Constitution based on the Department of Fair Trading's model rules for incorporated associations. Council has for some time been tinkering with the Constitution but realised it would be simpler to adopt the more streamlined model rules as an entirity rather than make 50 changes to the current Constitution. The proposed constitution will be available for perusal by members on this blog as well as the new GTAQ site. Members will have until October to submit suggested alterations before the final document is submitted for approval at the November AGM.

3. Council will be holding a strategic planning day soon after Conference to establish priorities for the coming years. One of the exciting prospects is the posibility of GTAQ being involved collaboratively in preparing teaching materials for the new 2008 Senior geography syllabus especially in the area of Climate Change. Another is a possible AGTA Conference in N. Qld.

Draft Senior Geography Syllabus comments required

The draft syllabus is up on the web for feedback. Please encourage as many of your colleagues as possible to contribute to the feedback.

This syllabus will be in schools next year for general implementation in 2008.

The draft Senior Geography document can be found on the QSA website via the following links.

http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs11_12/subjects/geog/index.html

The draft syllabus is a pdf file on this page.

Don't miss out on your opportunity to have a say in the direction of the new syllabus.

Feedback should be submitted before July 14.

Regards

David Lergessner

From GTAQ Council May 2006

Members need to look out for the following:

1. GTAQ Annual Conference - Teachers’ Day at the IGU-CGE Symposium

Thursday June 29. Full details are available on the GTAQ website - http://www.gtaq.webcentral.com.au/conf2003/default.htm

There is a wide range of speakers from all around the world as well as local teachers making presentations on this day.

Members should note there is a session on the new Senior syllabus on this day too.

2. Senior Geography draft syllabus release

The draft Senior Geography syllabus may be available for comment on the QSA website - http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/ as early as Friday. Teachers should take the opportunity to make their comments known at this stage of the consultation process.

3. GTAQ Journal

This is being mailed to members today.

4. GTAQ Skills sessions.

These are for new or inexperienced Geography teachers and the first will be at Browns Plains High School on June 6. These sessions are free and a light afternoon tea will be provided. A further one will be held on the northside at Wavell High school on August 3. The program runs from 4-6pm and is divided into two one hour sessions. Topics include graphing, report writing, mapping and fieldwork. Further information can be obtained from Lucie Sorensen – lucie.sorensen@qsa.edu.au or phone 3864 0292.

Keep on geoging.

David Lergessner

From the GTAQ Council April 2006

At the recent Council meeting the following decisions were made

1. A committee will prepare the next Journal due early next term.

2. Russell Smerdon is finalising speakers for Conference and will advise ASAP. Teachers attending Conference will be able to select the sessions they want to attend on the day.

3. The GTAQ Skills Roadshow is being put together with sessions including mapping, graphing, fieldwork and writing. It is hoped the first of these will be held at Browns Plains SHS on June 6 and a follow-up at kedron High on a date to be fixed. These will be two by 1 hour sessions aimed at the inexperienced Geography teacher. If we get it right we may even take it north and west to other parts of Queensland.

4. Council responded to the impact of Cyclone Larry by making available a sum to assist in transferring textbooks to schools such as Innisfail High which have lost virtually everything. Free membership for 2006 or 2007 is also being offered to schools in the area which were members in 2005. Publishers have also been approached to provide books from their 'remaindered' stocks.

The next Council meeting will be at RGSQ on May 9 from 6-9PM.

Cyclone Larry smashes Innisfail High

GTAQ member, Robert Basaglia, surveys what is left of his Department after his building bore the full force of Cyclone Larry a fortnight ago. No textbooks, no videos, no DVDs. All either water-damaged or flung somewhere across Innisfail as winds ripped in from the south-south-west. Robert's classroom no longer exists and he wonders where in the world the five globes his department owned are now!

GTAQ Council last night ( April 4 ) heard of initiatives from Kay Channon who has been chasing publishers for book donations and from David Lergessner who spent 4 days in the area. GTAQ responded by allocating money to help move books to Innisfail and has offered to extend membership to all 2005 members in the affected area by one year.

There are lots of ways you can assist too.

From GTAQ Council Feb 2006

From GTAQ Council Feb 2006

New GTAQ Council members.

Council has invited Rebecca Nicholas ( Somerville ), Lucie Sorensen ( QSA ) and Mick Law ( ESRI ) to join Council for 2006.

Council Meetings – some date/time changes.

April 4 4.30-7.00pm
May 9 6.00-9.00pm
June 13 6.00-9.00pm
Aug 8 6.00-9.00pm
Sept 12 6.00-9.00pm
Oct 24 6.00-9.00pm
Dec 5 4.30-7.00pm

Conference

Dinner – June 27
Conference – June 29 Gardens Point QUT.

AGM Tuesday Nov 21

Global Learning Centre, 102 McDonald Road, Windsor

GTAQ Journal

First edition for 06 is in the mail. Subsequent editions are aimed for week 5 of each term.

Senior Syllabus update

The draft Senior Geography syllabus should be available on the QSA website at the end of Semester 1.

Skills Training

The first of four skills days to be held around Brisbane and subsequently in regional centres either in person or by DVD is being planned for Aug 25. The afternoons will run from 4pm – 6pm and offer teachers training in one of the following areas – mapping, graphing, fieldwork planning and report writing. The sessions will be conducted by skilled Geography teachers. Watch for more information.

Environmental Expo reminder

Sandgate SHS Wednesday March 8 12.30 – 5.30pm
Information on http://www.kedronbrook.org.au/educational_resources

GTAQ blog

GTAQ now has a blog where information such as this will be published to complement the existing website. The blog can be found at www.gtaq.blogspot.com but you may have to clear the site with your IT person if accessing the site from school.

GTAQ Membership form

Geography Teachers’ Association of Queensland Inc.

ABN 94 808 029279

Application for Membership /Tax Invoice
Please complete this form and return with payment to

Geography Teachers’ Association of Queensland
c/- Royal Geographical Society of Queensland
237 Milton Road, Milton, QLD, 4064

Either - applying as a
NEW Individual Yes No ( Please circle )
or
RENEWING Individual Yes No ( Please circle )

Title: ........... Surname...........................................................

Given Name: ...................................................

School:................................................................................................................................


Or - applying as a
NEW School/Organisation Yes No ( Please circle )
or
Renewing School/Organisation Yes No ( Please circle )

Name of School/Organisation: .......................................................................................................

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Contact Person: .......................................................................................

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Mailing Address: ......................................................................................................................................................................

Post Code ................ FAX ...........................................

Telephone: .........................................................(W) ................................................................(AH)

GTAQ is NOT registered for GST There is no GST claimable as part of this fee

2006 Membership fees

Individual $60
School or Organisation $130
Associate/Full Time Student $25

Method of Payment:

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OR

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For help contact: Ph: 3368 2066 Fax: 3367 1011 Email: rgsq@gil.com.au
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If joining as a school, please photocopy one form for each teacher who is to receive emails from GTAQ and have them sign this section. Each form must be returned to GTAQ.