AIMS President Peter Murday's President's Report speech.

"Welcome one and all to the 29^th AIMS AGM.

Thank you all for making the effort to be here and to be a part of AIMS history - the first ever AIMS AGM to be held here in Hobart. Welcome to our Tasmanian members.

I would like to thank the Tasmanian branch for organizing this year’s AGM (and the Conference). 

Once again I have had the privilege to be your President in yet another important and busy year.

The last 12 months have been anything but boring.

RTO:

The RTO was discussed at length at the Council meeting just held. The Treasurers Report will highlight the positive contribution the RTO made to the AIMS this financial year. The Council is 100% committed to the RTO and its place at the forefront of AIMS future growth and in its ability to deliver benefits to the membership. There are presently 80 students enrolled. To date we have had 20 graduates. The Advanced Diploma is under development as are the portfolio of short courses.

Membership:

Our membership presently stands at 332 – an annual increase of 51. On a positive note we have been very active in upgrading the membership rolls and chasing members for their unpaid dues. Non-financial member numbers have reduced significantly as a result.

Finances:

The Treasurer will provide all the necessary information here but we finished the year in a very healthy condition given all the RTO development costs we have had to absorb over the past two years. This year we are in profit.

Council Meeting:

The Council met yesterday and this morning. As usual a broad range of issues were discussed and many plans made for the next 12 months. A full report on the Council deliberations will be released on the website once the EO has a chance to catch up.

In summary some matters discussed were:

 A Q’re was recently sent to all members. There were more than 170 respondents – or about 60% of the membership – so it is a very good snap shot of who we are. The EO has the results back – some of which I am sure will surprise you.

The Council committed to achieving the following goals:

The next AGM & Council and 30^th birthday party – the Executive will approach the state reps for their ideas and feedback after this event.

In closing it has been another very busy year and one that has required huge input and discussion between the EO, executive members and council. 

For all of us on the executive managing the RTO and a growing membership base remains a steep learning curve.

Change is difficult and times and can involve some cost.  But we have remained focused on achieving our ultimate goal which is quite simply – to position the AIMS to be the premier surveying organization in Australia and New Zealand. In this way we can better serve our members.

Many thanks to all my fellow executive members – few as we are - present and past.  VP John Holden and Treasurer Brian Peters. Also to Frank Kaleveld who has resigned as Secretary and will be missed for his salutary and wise advice.

Finally to Susan Hull – who – despite many challenges has got us to where we are. Words alone are not enough. It has been a particularly tough and robust year. We as an executive were unprepared for the additional work load posed by the development and administration of the RTO. Susan did not have the necessary resources required – but somehow stuck with us and got us through another 12 months.

In closing we believe that the work of our Institute is not only a service to our members but also of benefit to the maritime industry through the sharing of knowledge and the raising of professional standards.   

For the Record:

2014 Council goals: