Over 50 AONTAS members came together at our 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the Ashling Hotel, Dublin on the 23rd May 2018.
This year’s AGM focused on a recent review of AONTAS’ governance structures and acted as a starting point for our new strategic plan consultation process. Over the last two years AONTAS has undergone an organisational review process to ensure that, at a time of significant change, resources are organised and structured in an optimal way to ensure successful implementation of the AONTAS Strategic Plan and fulfil our obligations as a professional NGO.
The event also provided an opportunity for AONTAS to share the highlights of our work with members, and to get valuable feedback from members on a recent review of our governance structures.
AONTAS President Liz Waters opened the meeting by welcoming new and long standing members and giving an overview of the morning’s proceedings. AONTAS CEO, Niamh O’Reilly provided a comprehensive presentation on the key achievements of AONTAS’ work in 2017, including the extensive work carried out at EU level, learner voice work and the CEN10 celebrations. She concluded with a poignant video highlighting 10 years of the AONTAS Community Education Network (watch here). AONTAS Chair of Audit and Risk Subcommittee, Colm Kilgallon also gave an overview to members on the AONTAS Financial Accounts for 2017.
“In 2017 over 254 learners, from across 10 programmes and 16 ETBs, took part in national and regional FET learner forum events.”
“AONTAS supported 7 CEN member organisations to take part in Erasmus Plus mobilities in 2017.”
“A highlight of 2017 - our celebration of 10 years of the Community Education Network.”
Members were then given an overview of the AONTAS Board review by Bernie Gray, Partner from Better Boards. Following this the AONTAS Governance Sub-Committee shared their experience of the process, implementation and challenges of the review. Members were then given an opportunity to discuss the proposed recommendations and to share their feedback.
Members then voted unanimously to pass the resolution: to resolve by special resolution to defer elections from 23rd May 2018 AGM to 28th November 2018 EGM. The passing of this resolution will support AONTAS during this time of transition to secure the long term sustainability and stability of the organisation into the future.