Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Port Phillip Men’s Shed Association Incorporated will be held on Monday 16 November 2020, 7.30pm using Zoom online conferencing. Please refer to the attached AGM Notice and agenda.

All members are welcome to join. Zoom laptop/phone login details will be issued before the meeting.

Members may also submit a proxy voting form if they wish to vote but cannot attend the AGM – refer attached proxy voting form.

Members will be aware that our shed is run by a committee and all members are encouraged to consider joining the committee in an office bearer position (President; Secretary or Treasurer) or as a general committee member. New committee members not only bring new ideas to the sheds’ operations and vision, but also provide a break for those who have been on the committee for some time. Attached is a committee nomination form should you wish to nominate.

Our current secretary, Tony Donohue is planning to step down from the committee after the AGM. Any member wishing to discuss nominating for Secretary can contact Bob Small or Tony Donohue for more information. A role description for Secretary is also attached.

Other meeting documents to be presented at the meeting will be issued in due course.

Any questions, completed forms or meeting apologies should be emailed/mailed/hand to Tony Donohue, secretary@ppmsa.org.au

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Port Phillip Men’s Shed Association Incorporated was held at 6.30pm, Monday 11 November 2019 at SPUC Head Office meeting room, 317-329 Dorcas St., South Melbourne. 20 members and guests attended.

Bob Small, President delivered his president’s report for the period 1/7/2018 – 30/6/2019 (refer attachment below). Bob referred to our continuing membership growth; strong financial position and our ongoing support for local communities. He also acknowledged the continuing accommodation support from Southport Uniting Care and National Storage. Bob also focussed on our current safety record and the need for all members to be fully aware of their own and other members safety at all times.

The meeting endorsed our current fee structure of:

• $20 joining fee
• $40 annual membership fee

Regarding committee elections, there being no contested positions re-endorsed Bob Small (President); Tony Donohue (secretary) and the continuing election of Rod Hall (Workshop Manager), John Stirling, Barry Bevan and Peter Harkin as committee members. In addition two new committee members Peter King and Bill Tsialtas were also elected.

Bob especially thanked Justin Gates (Treasurer) and Stephen Ingrouille (Membership) who are stepping down from the committee for their invaluable support over a number of years. The role of Treasurer is currently vacant.

Any questions regarding the AGM should be directed to PPMSA Secretary,  Tony Donohue, secretary@ppmsa.org.au  

PPMSA President’s Report 2018-19

Rod (workshop manager). Frans and Tim assembling our new SawStop table saw, which has a number of new operational and safety features.

We will be providing supervisor and member training on this new saw once assembly and testing is complete.

The new saw was purchased utilising a grant received from the Australian Government, Dept. of Social Services.

Michael and Miguel constructing a bench using our new Festool plunge saw and guide rail system. This system allows timber edges to be cut, which are free of splinting, damage or burn marks. The system is quick to setup and use.

Members keen to use this system can review the following Youtube link:

This system was purchased utilising a grant received from the South Melbourne Community Chest.

The PPMSA committee has recently reviewed and updated our Privacy Policy – refer attachment below.

There is no change too core content, but rather some wording has been changed to reflect current wording published by AMSA.

PPMSA Policy 004 Privacy Policy 8 July 2019

On 10 June 2019, the PPMSA committee reviewed and approved an update to our OH&S Policy – refer attached document.

All members should read this and be guided accordingly.

PPMSA Policy 003 Occupational Health & Safety 190610

All members are alerted to the following exclusions in regard to claiming related medical costs under our AMSA Voluntary Workers (members) Personal Accident insurance arrangement.

The principal exclusions applying are as follows:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• All costs where Medicare covers any part of the cost.

The latter point above is particularly important because all general insurers are prohibited by law to insure what is knows as the “Gap” i.e. the difference between the full medical cost and any Medicare refund.

If a member is injured at the shed and seeks treatment at a Doctors General Practice, then Medicare would generally cover part of this service and our insurer would not cover the subsequent out-of-pocket expense. The out-of-pocket expense would be the member’s responsibility.

If a member has private medical insurance, then this may provide further reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Depending on the injury circumstances, the AMSA Insurance Program provides a number of defined injury benefits and for some, other insurance exclusions/limitations may also apply.

Members can read the full AMSA 2019/2020 Insurance Program Frequently Asked Questions, which are available at the SPUC shed.

The PPMSA Committee has recently reviewed, and approved, our shed rules to ensure these provide a framework for member safety and operational efficiency.

All members should take time to read these and be guided accordingly.

PPMSA Process 002 Shed Rules 190312

The PPMSA committee has recently reviewed the Code of Conduct applicable to all members. Please be guided accordingly.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Port Phillip Men’s Shed Association will always maintain an open-door policy and will not reject any person because of race, sex, disability, religion or age, although some special conditions may apply in certain circumstances.               

During any PPMSA endorsed activity members must:

Behave honestly and with integrity

Act with care and diligence

Treat everyone with respect and courtesy and without harassment

Comply with all applicable Australian laws

Comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given with authority by the PPMSA Committee

Maintain appropriate confidentiality

Disclose and take reasonable steps to avoid any conflict of interest (real or apparent)

Use PPMSA equipment and resources in a safe and proper manner; and

At all times behave in a way that upholds the PPMSA’s values, integrity and good reputation of the PPMSA.

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PPMSA Policy 002 Code of Conduct 190211

At the PPMSA AGM on 20/11/2018, a revised Statement of Purpose was approved.

This revision reiterates our focus on the provision of shed facilities to our members; recognises our acceptance of female members and strengthens our commitment to working closely within our community.

PPMSA – STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be:

To promote men’s physical and mental health by being mindful of individual member’s needs and concerns and providing a range of fellowship activities and health seminars.

To encourage and promote positive social interaction amongst members by means of cooperative and supportive workshop practices, meetings and other social activities.

To encourage members to share their skills, knowledge and experience and to work in a cooperative spirit.

To liaise with community groups with the aim of providing support to individual or joint projects which assist the delivery of enhanced services to the general community.

To provide an opportunity for members who are keen to be involved in hands on experience in workshop activities by providing assistance and guidance to all participant levels.

Encourage the involvement of women associate members at selected workshop sessions or associated Shed activities.

To facilitate the provision of well equipped, practical, safe and inclusive workshop and general activity spaces.

To operate as a not for profit Association.

To remain as a non-political and non-sectarian Association.

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PPMSA Policy 001 Statement of Purpose 181120