The operating structure
riginally set up in 2004 when it became apparent no
similar body with the same objectives existed in
Australia, the newly Incorporated national body initially based
in Perth intended for branches to be established in other
regions. It soon came obvious, for various reasons, that
potential members living in other States were uncomfortable
with this arrangement. There was a perception members in
Perth wanted to control the entire Australian operation and
intended to take any donated items for the collection back to
the West.
Regional Committee responsibilities
O
T
he function of the regional committee is to include;
•
establishing and running the regional branch in
accordance with the policies and procedures
established by the affiliated national organisation.
•
cooperatively collaborating with the national body and
other regional branches.
•
nominating persons to represent the branch on the
national committee, contributing to policy and
decision making and as trustees on the Gift fund.
This was, and never will be the case.
•
providing prompt regular feedback to the national
committee on proposed procedures, policies and other
initiatives.
Following frank and constructive feedback from respected
industry identities such as Roland Beckett, some alternative
options emerged. The solution was to create several
autonomous locally incorporated regional branches, each
affiliated with AMMPT (the national body) and all working
on a common set of Constitutions, By-laws, policies and
procedures. These have been, and will continue to be created
by the national committee of AMMPT, on which are
representatives from each legally constituted branch and from
whose regular input these operating parameters are decided.
AMMPT Western Region (Inc) was first to be established.
•
recruiting for the local membership base and initiating
fund raising activities.
•
developing programmes and events for membership
involvement and encourage participation in nationally
generated projects.
•
being responsible for the safe keeping of items
donated to the national collection while in their
custody and for freight and storage expenses which
may be involved.
•
submitting regular news and information items for
inclusion in AMMPT’s newsletter and website and
participating where possible in the production of these
communication media.
AMMPT’s national objective is to have a collaborative
network of unified autonomous branches, whose thinking
extends beyond State borders and each dedicated to this
singular concept, rather than a collection of individual groups
pulling in different directions.
•
and other duties as listed in the Induction manual.
Membership
riginally intended to involve members of the cinema,
and then television industries, the criteria for
membership with voting rights has been extended to those
involved in kindred media industries and to those who
have demonstrated a commitment to preserving its
heritage.
National committee responsibilities
he function of the national committee is broadly to;
O
T
•
collate input from all branches and devise policies and
procedures under which all affiliated branches operate,
•
devise, coordinate and promote national projects,
Non voting Associate membership is open to others who
support our cause by attending events or availing
themselves of some of the facilities AMMPT offers.
This year the national committee introduced another
category – Student membership. This is to encourage those
undertaking media courses to become involved with
AMMPT and create an awareness of the need to preserve
the heritage of the industry they plan to enter.
•
promote the AMMPT organisation as a whole and the
activities or enterprises of its branches and members,
•
foster regular communication with members through the
compilation and production of websites and newsletters,
•
establish and maintain a database of items added to the
national collection, accessible by all regional curators.
•
establish and maintain a national administrative data base
to which regional secretaries contribute and have access,
When members sign up, they join both the national
association and the regional branch. They may enjoy all
the privileges of membership in any other regional branch
they visit, with the exception of voting rights with it or
with the national association. All duly elected members of
regional committees are encouraged to have input with
decisions and have voting rights on the national
association.
•
arrange for the production of stationery, forms, art work
publications, graphics and other promotional materials for
the use of all affiliated branches to ensure uniformity of
public presentation throughout the community
•
maintain a national membership database and issue
membership cards on behalf of regional branches,
•
attend to legal, insurance and other statutory matters
which affect national operations, but not of the branches,
•
seek federal funding on behalf of all branches.
Members are urged to acquaint themselves with the
national and regional Constitutions, and to notify their
regional secretaries of any suggested changes to the
document and Induction Manual. These documents are
always open to improvement as our organisation evolves.
•
maintain and develop relationships with local and
overseas kindred organisations and arrange introductions
for members travelling in these areas, and
•
encourage the interaction and free flow of information
and ideas between all branches.
Members are also entitled to inspect the membership
register held by the secretaries, but contact and other
information will not be divulged without that member’s
consent. This matter relating to the Privacy Act is being
addressed in all future membership application forms and
renewal notices to be issued.
The national committee can be based in any State from time to
time as the organisation’s membership base grows. With a
larger population and industry base on the east coast, it is
hoped that administration of AMMPT’s national activities
may eventually be able to be transferred to that region.
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