EMS Association Newsletter Summer 2008

1. What’s On

2nd National EMS Forum
19-21 May 2008
Newcastle City Hall

Mark your diaries for this event, which will have a broader scope than last year’s forum to include EMS programs and issues from industry and the business sector. The program is in draft form and can be viewed at: www.ems.asn.au/events/2008_forum/index.htm.

The theme of the forum is “Changing our Thinking: Adapting with EMS”, reflecting the need to embed the concept of environmental management into mainstream business practices across Australia.

The conference committee is seeking feedback and suggestions about the program and areas or issues you would like included. Call 02 4369 6006 or email contact@ems.asn.au

EMS / CGU Farmer and Small Business Awards
We are receiving entries for the CGU/EMSA Awards for Farmers and Small Businesses. It will be great to hear about the innovations taking place with EMS in Australia, and it’s sure to be tough to pick the ultimate winners in each category. Don’t forget – if you, or people you have worked in EMS with, are thinking of entering, you need to do so quickly, as entries close on 15 February 2008.

Entry forms and further information are available on the website at: www.ems.asn.au/awards/index.htm If you need further information, please contact EMSA on 02 4369 6006 or contact@ems.asn.au

2007 Forum Proceedings Online
The papers and presentations from the May 2007 Forum have been reviewed and will be on the website in February. These papers provide an important contribution to the ever-evolving knowledge base on EMS practice and policy in Australia. Feedback from delegates and the outcomes of facilitated discussions during case study sessions regarding EMS and policy will also be available on the website.

2. Membership News

The Association is thanking members who joined before 30 June 2007 by extending their membership renewal date to 30 June 2008. This will give some members an additional 8-10 months of membership as a reward for supporting the Association in its start-up phase. This offer does not include EMSA committee members.

Please remember that registration on the website (which is free) does not make you a member of EMSA. To become a member you need to login to the website and click the New Subscription link. Individual, corporate and NFP membership options are available.

All current members and those who join before 7 February 2008 will be able to register for the 2nd National EMS Forum at a special discount rate. This will be lower than the regular Early Bird Members rate and only available until we open public registration on 15 February. If you are not sure if are an EMSA member you can check by logging into the website and viewing your status or call Claire Braund on 02 4369 6006.

The first AGM was held on 30 November 2007. The minutes from the meeting and financial report can be found at:

(access for financial members only)

Elaine Dickson and Elliott Dwyer stepped down from the committee at the AGM and Kirsten Martin from the Blackwood Basin Group in Western Australia has joined.

Vice-President, Nelson Quinn is coordinating the rewriting the replaceable rules Associations under which the Association currently operates. These will the form the constitution for the Association, and all members will have the opportunity to comments on these rules as soon as they are completed. Remember, this document will determine the operation of the Association, so we need your input to ensure that we operate in the way you wish.

3. Future Directions

A major focus for the Association this year will be growing the membership base to include a wider range of industry sectors than our agricultural roots. This will facilitate greater sharing of knowledge and experiences and create a cohesive Australian community of practice around the discipline of EMS.

EMSA’s vision is to grow the use of EMS across Australia and for it to become a mainstream concept in all our industries and services.

EMSA is in the process of creating a searchable database of Association members, their skills, services and related information. In order to do this, we need to build member profiles. Soon we will be sending out a short form for you to complete if you want to feature your profile through the website. Fill this in, provide us with the details, and we’ll make it easier for people to find out about your EMS skills, and be able to get in touch with you.

We want to share as many EMS stories as possible, so if you, your EMS partners or clients have a story to tell, we are happy to post it on the website. Please contact the Association at contact@ems.asn.au to discuss such postings. Remember, pictures tell a thousand words so provide us with good clear photographs or diagrams so that we can include these with your case studies or examples.

To advertise EMS events, jobs or opportunities, remember to use the website. Members can advertise at a discounted rate. Please contact Claire Braund on 02 4369 6006 if you wish to take up this opportunity.

Yours in EMS

The Committee