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APPA Relationship
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Survey
Results
(pdf) |
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AAPPA has had a very
successful evolution from its beginnings in the University Buildings
Officers, then the formation of Australasian APPA, as a Section
(now called Chapter) of Pacific Coast region of APPA in 1989,
leading to establishment as a separate Region in 1993 after
the membership climbed over the required 50. Since then AAPPA
has continued to grow, each year adding to the range and quality
of activities such as Courses, Workshops, our ever successful
Benchmarking, the annual Conference, Newsletters and Publications.
However, our growth has been very much independent of APPA,
as it has generally been recognised that there are few opportunities,
other than at very broad levels, to translate North American
practice to Australasia. AAPPA is well known and respected in
the FM industry and the HE Sector, with many Vice Chancellors
aware of the value of membership of the association, and Government
bodies such as DEST engaging with the association. |
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Q&A
(pdf) |
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Members' Views
(pdf) |
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Strategic
Alliance
(pdf) |
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Express
your View
(submit your email here) |
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AAPPA
President's Presentation
March 2003
(ppt) |
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Results
of Ballot for Constitutional Change
(pdf) |
As we have evolved and gained confidence in our abilities as facilities
managers, and as an association, our outlook has broadened to countries
other than the US; however our ability to engage with these countries
at the association level has been somewhat limited by the fact that
we are a Region of APPA, rather than an independent association.
In recent years a number of our members have increasingly questioned
the value of APPA membership, suggesting that all their needs were
being met by AAPPA, testament to the quality of our increased range
of services. This view has manifested itself in a reduction in the
number of AAPPA members who have maintained membership of APPA,
to the point where there is now well under the required 50 members
to operate as a separate Region. APPA membership currently costs
$US350 to International members, but for most the only service they
availed themselves of was the Facilities Manager magazine, and some
took advantage of the member rate for attendance at the annual APPA
Conference.
AAPPA is now at major watershed in its evolution. One option would
be to remain in APPA, but giving up our status as a Region, and
becoming a Chapter of another Region. In effect this would mean
little or nothing to our activities, apart from giving up our seat
on the APPA Board. The other option is to form an independent association,
with very little change to our current operations; but establishing
strategic alliances with APPA, and other national HE FM organisations
such as AUDE in the UK. Members would still be able to retain their
current membership of APPA, but would not have any representation
on the APPA Board, as is the case in the first option. Non APPA
members could still attend the APPA Conference, but at the non member
rate, which for the last Conference , was an additional $US200.
The AAPPA Board has thought carefully about this issue, and is recommending
that the association follow the second option of forming an independent
association. While this may seem a bold step, it can be considered
a natural stage in the evolution of our association, and one which
will allow us to best support the activities of our members. The
Board considered that the benefits of such a move outweigh the few,
if any, costs. Maintaining the relationship with APPA through an
alliance can still deliver the level of engagement that is currently
enjoyed by the majority of members, but the freedom offered as an
independent association, is expected to deliver greater engagement
with the international FM community.
Achievement of this change will not be easy from an administrative
point of view. While we are still investigating what is necessary
to effect this level of change, it will might involve the winding
up of AAPPA, the formation of a new association, with a yet to be
decided name, establishment of a new Constitution and By-laws, a
new Board structure (which may/may not be different to the current
structure), and an election for all Board positions. Alternatively,
we might be able to make the necessary changes through amendment
to the existing Constitution. Regardless, this will take some time,
but it is envisaged that the changeover would occur to align with
the AGM in Adelaide in Sep 2003. Naturally, such a change will require
the formal consent of our members.
Of our 65 Inst in AAPPA, only 31 are members of APPA, which suggests
that more than half of our membership do not value the relationship
highly enough to retain membership. A number of current APPA members
have indicated that they will not be renewing their membership,
reducing the number further.
Under the APPA Bylaws, a Region requires 50 members of APPA to be
a Region. Below this it reverts to a Chapter of another Region.
However, APPA has indicated that it would consider reducing the
number to 25 or 30, if we wanted to remain a region.
The value that our members currently obtain through APPA can be
maintained, and possibly even augmented, through changing the relationship
to one of a strategic alliance between AAPPA and APPA, similar to
that which exists between AUDE and APPA. Under this relationship,
our networking will continue, but be more global, as we would be
able to network on a more equal footing with organisations such
as AUDE.
Our organisation has matured to an extent where we are very well
respected in our own right, and are providing valued services to
our members without the need for support from our US parent. AAPPA
is well known and respected in the sector because of this work,
and less so because it is a region of a North American organisation.
On balance, the Board believes that AAPPA has matured to a point
where the interests of the membership would be better served as
an independent organisation, than as a Region of APPA.
Alan McGregor
AAPPA President
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