About the Committee of Management

  

As I reflect on this past year, it’s been quite a busy year, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Berna and the committee as the President. We’ve gone through challenges and celebrated successes, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.

We began the year with a significant event: the flooding caused by the council’s neglect of our building. However, our management and educators’ team, led by Berna, responded quickly and effectively. They worked hard to mitigate the damage, find alternative solutions, and ensure the safety of our children.  Their resilience and commitment were truly inspiring.

I’m proud to say that we’ve made significant progress in our relationship with the council. Through persistent advocacy and collaboration, we’ve established a regular monthly meeting to address building issues and ensure accountability. Our Mayor, Heather Cunsolo, has been instrumental in this process, and I extend our sincere thanks for her support.

Our management team and educators continue to be the heart of Ada. Their passion for early childhood education is evident in every aspect of their work. This year’s completed projects further highlight the team’s commitment to delivering the best education possible. And, even when facing personal challenges, they continued to prioritize the well-being of our children. Thank you Berna, thank you all, we couldn’t ask for a better team.

I’m also grateful for the invaluable contributions of our committee members, especially Janetta, Rachel, Lindsay, Prue, Andrew, Elise, Christina, and Regina. Your dedication and hard work have been essential this year. Together, we’ve achieved a great deal, including:

Building a solid relationship & better ways of working with the council

Developing a comprehensive succession plan to ensure the center’s future

Implementing a transparent and informative monthly finance report

Organizing successful fundraising events, such as our first Bunnings sausage sizzle

I want to extend our thanks to all the families and parents who have supported the center this year. The involvement, whether through volunteering, donations, or simply offering words of encouragement, has made a significant difference.

As I step down from this role, I’m confident that the future of Ada is in good hands. The incoming committee is composed of dedicated individuals who share our passion for providing the best possible care for our children.

Thank you all for the opportunity you gave me as the committee President. It has been a fulfilling journey and I will leave with many good memories.

 

 

The Role of the Committee of Management

The Ada Mary A’Beckett Children’s Centre is a co- operative managed by parents who use the service.   All parents with children enrolled in the Centre must become members of the Ada Mary A’Beckett Association, and as such are eligible to become committee members.

The committee work in conjunction with the director to ensure that the Centre at all times meets all set standards and regulations as per the Education and Care Services National Regulations The director informs the committee of the daily running of the Centre and brings any issues to their attention and reports to the committee at the monthly committee meeting.  The director can also arrange an interim meeting with various office bearers, such as the secretary and the treasurer as required. 

The committee is the employer of all staff and is listed as the responsible persons with the department of human services.  All staff are under the daily direction of the Centre director, and the committee appoints a staff liaison officer to support staff to deal with matters with the director. 

The committee are required to abide by the “Incorporation’s Act” and are also under the guises of the City of Port Phillip, as the Centre receives council sponsorship, in terms of use of the facility, maintenance of the grounds and facilities and a monetary contribution twice a year.

All committee positions are voluntary and are in place for an operational year, being from one AGM to the next.  Vacancies on the committee can be filled throughout the year though all positions are vacated at the AGM and members if standing again, can be re-elected to an office bearing position for no more than five consecutive years.

 

What does a management committee do?

 

• Acts on behalf of the members and clients of the organisation and is accountable to them.
• Has legal responsibilities under the associations Incorporations reform Act 2012 www.consumer.vic.gov.au
• Sets the goals and priorities of the centre – after consulting with parents and staff and considering community needs and expectations.
• Plans and evaluates the services provided and projects undertaken.
• Decides how funds are to be obtained and allocated, and monitors financial performance through budgeting.
• Employs staff and ensures that adequate provisions are allocated.
• Delegates responsibilities to enable the work of the organisation to be achieved.
• Determines its own structures, systems and processes, including ways of resolving disputes within the organisation.
• Ensures that premises, equipment and supplies are appropriate.
• Maintains adequate records and undertakes all necessary administrative tasks.