[Commpsych] APS AGM results - Good news and...

Thu Oct 4 10:48:02 WST 2007

Hi Neil

I actually think there is much to be considered in the whole structure
and set-up of governance within the society.  Election issues and voting
has been a major source of contention for many over the years, however
whenever we have attempted to rectify this issue, either through
submission of a vote to the AGM or through negotiation with the Board
and CEO it has proven totally unworkable.  It would seem that there is
more at issue here than the limited number of votes...especially when
the proxies held by the board outnumber any that an individual could
possibly muster.   

It is time for psychologists to start taking the risk of discussing
their concerns, issues and pleasure/displeasure with current processes
and for others of us to support them when they are "silenced" by
seemingly authorative voices which imply it is them/us who are the
problem.  Anyone who has tried to have any form of discourse with the
"office" and senior members would be only too aware of how negligent
they are in responding, communicating or advising general members of
policy changes, directives or any other such matters in any way other
than to threaten, dismiss or totally ignore the enquirer/s.

We are currently involved in developing an online forum for
psychologists to discuss and debate these issues and many other factors
that impact on our lives as psychologists; from education to practice to
research.  I will let you know when it is up and running, you may even
consider taking on a moderating role with us

Cheers

Marion

________________________________

From: commpsych-bounces at lists.curtin.edu.au
[mailto:commpsych-bounces at lists.curtin.edu.au] On Behalf Of Neil Drew
Sent: Thursday, 4 October 2007 10:08 AM
To: Heather Gridley; ddarlaston-jones at nd.edu.au
Cc: commpsych at lists.curtin.edu.au
Subject: Re: [Commpsych] FW: APS AGM results - Good news and...

Dear All,

There ha been a suggestion that my posting yesterday about the Board
elections was a little churlish and bitter.  Please note that it was an
attempt at light-hearted banter - I am not in the least bitter -
disappointed yes but bitter no - I sincerely appreciate the support I
received and truly believe that another candidate should be sought as
soon as possible in preparation for the next tilt.

Yours in election defeat!! (but still fighting the good fight)

Neil

________________________________

From: Heather Gridley [mailto:Heather.Gridley at vu.edu.au] 
Sent: Wednesday, 3 October 2007 3:05 PM
To: ddarlaston-jones at nd.edu.au; Neil Drew
Cc: commpsych at lists.curtin.edu.au
Subject: RE: [Commpsych] FW: APS AGM results - Good news and...

I'm disappointed too that the Board will miss out on Neil's
contribution, which would have been invaluable. The only new face on the
board is a South Australian clinical psychologist, a fomer lobbyist for
the Labor Party who cites a commitment to social justice and to the
public sector, which is promising.  It seems that most of those who get
elected these days are very effective lobbyists and vote-counters. I'll
try to find out just how many votes constitute a 'quota' for a position
on the board, based on current voting figures (apparently on the old
Council, it was a mere 30 votes, because so few people voted!) There's
also a Tasmanian on the Board, so maybe other factors come into play
here. 

More conference reports to follow...

Heather

Heather Gridley 
School of Psychology 
Footscray Park Campus 
Victoria University 
PO Box 14428 
Melbourne 
VIC 8001 
Australia 

TEL +61 3 9919 5224 
FAX +61 3 9919 4324 
MOBILE: 0419 113 731 

Email: heather.gridley at vu.edu.au

________________________________

From: ddarlaston-jones at nd.edu.au [mailto:ddarlaston-jones at nd.edu.au]
Sent: Wed 3/10/2007 1:28 PM
To: Neil Drew
Cc: Heather Gridley; commpsych at lists.curtin.edu.au
Subject: Re: [Commpsych] FW: APS AGM results - Good news and...

Hi Neil
you are a great candidate and would have made an excellent board member.
the failure is not yours but the system that enforces the dominance of
East coast representation. until the society recognises the structural
discrimination inherent in its processes nothing will change - the large
states have the numbers and general apathy does the rest. the society
needs to implement a process of proportional representation to ensure
that all voices are heard not just those from Victoria and NSW and
occasionally for QLD. Unfortunately this is not likely to happen because
the governance structure would prevent it from happening - what's the
old adage about those in power maintaining the structure that gives them
power??
Dawn
____________________________________
Dawn Darlaston-Jones, PhD
Lecturer
Behavioural Science
School of Arts & Sciences
University of Notre Dame
19 Mouat Street (PO Box 1225)
FREMANTLE
Western Australia WA 6959

Tel: +61 8 9433 0567
Fax: +61 8 9433 0544
e-mail ddarlaston-jones at nd.edu.au

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