The Jewellers Association of Australia has announced “historic” changes to its structure that include the formation of a 14 person National Council – and a reduction in the number of JAA board members.
According to JAA president Selwyn Brandt, the Board conducted a strategic review of the JAA, and its part in promoting and supporting the industry, during a planning day in late 2012.
Key points to emerge during the review were that:
- A Board of 14 people is too large to efficiently manage the affairs of the JAA, an organisation with only three staff
- A smaller Board, with people of appropriate expertise is needed if the JAA is to become more relevant to the industry and to continue as a highly successful organisation.
Brandt said the JAA had been working on developing this “concept into a detailed model that maintains industry representation, whilst establishing a structure for the Board that will enable efficient formulation and implementation of policies and direction for the industry” over the last year.
When the new structure is fully in place, the JAA will be able to respond “more quickly” to changes in the marketplace or government policy.
“Importantly we believe the new structure will allow the organisation to focus more energy and resources on strategic issues that matter most to members and to the industry,” said Brandt.
“It will also create new opportunities for member engagement and a broader industry voice in strategic decision-making.”
In the first of a two-stage implementation process, the JAA National Council will provide:
- A forum for discussion of industry issues
- Industry experts to work on sub-committees
- An annual strategic review of the JAA
Members of the first National Council will be announced prior to the first meeting of the Council which is scheduled for May.
“We believe this new model, with the National Industry Council, and a smaller Board, will enable the JAA to fulfil the objectives established at the 2012 planning day,” said Brandt
“In fact, the establishment of the Council provides increased industry representation, and opportunities for discussing and resolving important industry issues” he said.
The second stage of the re-structuring will see the JAA make changes to the Constitution to facilitate a reduced number of directors, and a new election process that gives members direct voting rights.
“As we continue to work through stage two, I’d like to acknowledge the contribution of Ian Hadassin (current JAA CEO) and the JAA Board to bring stage-one into fruition − the changes made are historic and will help move the Association forward” Brandt said.