This has made significant changes to the law that regulates associations and after receiving assent will commence in 2011. It is complex reform but the changes can be broken down into five categories.

1. New company law-like duties on “office holders”, the definition of which is expanded to cover not just committee members etc but also employees who affect significant decisions. Most of these new duties are in sections 29AB-AD and they introduce civil penalties on office holders of up to $20,000. They are:

· Duty of care and diligence – this adopts the “business judgement rule” which requires that the decision is made in good faith, not made in self interest, is made after ensuring you are reasonably informed, and that the office holder rationally believes the decision is in the best interest of the association

· Duty of good faith and proper purpose – office holders must exercise power in best interests of, and for the purposes of, the association

· Duty to avoid trading while insolvent – inserted into section 37AH. This is a complex duty modelled on section 558 G of the Corporations Act. It applies where the decision to take on a debt makes the association insolvent, or where the association is already insolvent when taking on the debt, and the decision maker suspected this. As a breach of this section can constitute an offense depending on circumstances, Volunteering Victoria will publish further detailed information on this.

In addition there are new provisions that make office holders, or former office holders, liable for civil penalties where it is found they used information gained by their office to gain personal advantage or to cause detriment to the association. Penalties also apply if a current office holder uses that position to gain advantage for themselves or to cause detriment to the association. (Section 29A)

2. Removal of requirement to have a separate statement of purpose. Purposes will be incorporated into the association’s rules with transitional provisions to ensure current associations’ arrangements are valid. Note that the model rules have been significantly reformed: Volunteering Victoria was involved in that review and we will publish detailed analysis of these practical rule changes.

3. Changes to the association “tiering” which reduces financial reporting requirements for small associations.

· Tier one associations: total revenue allowed lifted to $250,000 p.a. – no change to reporting

· Tier two now $250,000-$1 million revenue p.a. – no longer required to have an audit, though a review by an independent accountant will be required (this is the major change)

· Tier three: $1 million plus – still need audit

4. Removal of restriction on associations trading in support of their purposes. This somewhat artificial provision has never fit the actual work done by associations in delivering services under contract from government or others. The prohibition on profit remains.

5. Changes to members’ rights, discipline and grievances regimes. This gives members greater access to documentation, and more strongly states the natural justice requirements in dealing with discipline and grievance procedures (section 14). The clarity is welcome.

There are a range of other important changes, including a requirement to replace a secretary within 14 days, and changes to meeting requirements. Volunteering Victoria will publish a more comprehensive guide on the changes, but the ones above are the key ones. Keep an eye on our new e-newsletter and on our website for further developments.

Volunteering Victoria is interested in getting your feedback on regulatory reform as we feed back to government on the effects of reform on volunteering. Contact j.wilson@volunteeringvictoria.org.au , or d.embry@volunteeringvictoria.org.au to have your say.

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Doors will open at 3.00. Game rolls out at 4.00! Also featuring Co-ed Demo Scrimmage! See the guys in their time to shine!

Tickets are $10 Adult and $5 for kids and are available through www.brdl.wordpress.com or from your friendly BRDL skaters, OR ON THE DOOR!

PLEASE FORWARD THROUGHOUT YOUR NETWORKS, THANKS!

–
Ballarat Roller Derby League

ballaratrollerderby@gmail.com / www.brdl.wordpress.com / www.brdl.hqforums.com / & Facebook

About 400 kids at Caribbean Rollerama again this morning for the session!!! Who said skating wasn’t popular?? and this is normal here holiday season, love it!

The Working with Children (WWC) Check is designed to help keep children safe. The
Check was introduced in Victoria in 2006 and aims to prevent people who may pose a risk to the
safety of children from working with them.

People who work or volunteer in connection with certain services, bodies, places or activities are required to apply for a WWC Check. Check the phasing-in plan for a list of these. Detailed
information about the WWC Check and application process is available on the Department of
Justice web site or by phoning the Information Line on 1300 652 879.

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The group consisting of Freeskaters and Dance skaters from 7 to 14 years old, performed very well and they had so much fun entertaining the crowd. We were very proud of all our skaters that day.

The skaters were dressed as waiters and waitresses, carrying a tray full of food and drink, whilst skating down the parade route.

The bad weather thankfully held off until the group was back at RMIT, as recent storms and extreme weather, could’ve threatened the inclusion of our skaters due to safety reasons, however the sun shone just at the right time and our skaters were able to skate.

The Greater Dandenong Council kindly provided some assistance to help with the skaters transports costs and we appreciate their assistance. The Moomba organizers were fantastic, and we thank them for all their help also.

Skate Dandenongs aim is to promote Roller Skating to the wider community and to encourage other Children or adults to put on a pair of skates, get to a rink, or simply skate in a park or on the footpath outside.

If an activity is fun like skating is, then kids or adults will want to do it again.
Hopefully our Clubs Participation in the Parade, will also inspire some new people to the sport.

Photos available on our Facebook Page

Skaters performing at Comedy Festival were Jayson Sutcliffe, Andy Carroll, Chantelle Fava, Candace Harrison, Christine Turner, Duane McGregor, Kevin Geary, Megan Cash, Melanie Van Dyk, Rhiannon Schmidt Turner, Sarah Kate Landy, Andrew Smith.