It is with great pleasure that I write this update using it as a forum to communicate with everyone in the association. 

As you would be aware a new Executive Committee has been elected with David Hickman, Megan Rouse, Bill Rewell, Alison Romas and Sue Scott continuing to serve on the committee.  We all thank them for their continued support as we continue the high standard of work of past executives. 

To all the newcomers, might I on behalf of the association, say thank you for being willing to put up your hand to make a contribution, it is very much appreciated.  

The current Executive has been elected on the basis of clubs requiring changes to the way the EDJBA is structured and the way it goes about its business.  We, as a group are mindful of these desires and will be addressing a number of them in the near future.

Immediate Matters

P.O. Box

In the past five days a post office box has been hired and is situated at Templestowe Post Office.  The new EDJBA address for all correspondence is P.O. Box 592 Templestowe VIC 3106.

Office

The EDJBA now has an official office situated at Templestowe Leisure Centre.  A very reasonable rental has been negotiated and this office will become the centre for all operational matters for the association.  Alison Romas and Sue Scott have already set up “Shop” there.  

All EDJBA records will be stored at this site.

Internet/Telephone/Fax

Arrangements have been made for internet access with a capacity to handle five computers plus a telephone line and fax line.  This will take approximately ten days to set up.  We ask that you be patient while we get this in place. 

Banking

We are in the process of arranging for new signatories for the bank account and these should be in place in the next two weeks.

In the meantime please be patient if you are owed money because we are not in a position to issue cheques.  I can assure you the association is well and truly solvent and all bills will honoured once we get over this little hurdle.

Website

Within two weeks Interfuse will no longer be the provider for our website, necessitating the need for a new provider.  The Executive have made the decision to use Sporting Pulse and all key personnel are meeting with Sporting Pulse people on Monday night to start this process.  While the changeover is occurring there may be some difficulty.

However, Jim Kafkalakis has already designed a new website using the Sporting Pulse template and transferred the majority of information across so that when the change occurs it will be as seamless as we can make it.

If my experience with things technological is anything to go by there will be hiccups.  We will endeavour to keep them as insignificant as possible to ensure you are all kept up to date.  Please be patient with this transition.

Jim is one of a number of people who have put their hand up to help as we move to a new EDJBA.

Meetings

The Executive met last Monday night immediately after the AGM to arrange for immediate and urgent matters to be addressed.  These include the appointment of a Public Officer who by dint of her role as Secretary is Megan Rouse, the appointment of signatories for the bank account, the decision to appoint Sporting Pulse as website host and the arranging of at least two meetings, one for the immediate operation of the competition and for the other the meeting with Sporting Pulse.

On Wednesday last Sue Scott, Alison Romas, David Hickman, Jenni James, Vicki Georgiou, David Bacon and myself met to plan the rest of the season.

In the process we effectively designed an operational manual for the EDJBA competition which I, with input from many others, will put together in the near future so that future executives have a reference point.

Sue and Alison will jointly work as fixture secretaries with support from Vicki, Jenni and David Bacon.  A special thanks must go to David who volunteered to update the results and ladders on the website.  This gesture is very much appreciated by all.

Future Issues

Constitution

The Executive are well aware of the reason for their election and that is the need for constitutional change.  In the next few weeks a subcommittee will be formed to address this issue with a view to reporting back at the planned meeting of clubs in February.

As part of this process consultation with clubs and other interested parties and individuals will be undertaken to ensure that the vision for a modern association and the wishes of the members are met.  We will keep you informed as the process unfolds.

Finances

John Matthews as the incoming Treasurer is undertaking a budgetary planning process which he will present to the Executive at its next meeting. 

We as an Executive are also mindful of the need to produce a budget for the above February meeting and this will be done.

Administrator

The association has employed an administrator in the past and it is the wish of the committee to do this in the future.

However we need to get a clear picture of the current finances and a budget prepared to ensure that this position is affordable and what the remuneration, job description and tasks would be.

Logo

It has been stated before that the EDJBA logo could do with an update.  The Executive will address this in the coming months.  This is important with the changeover of the website.  The image of any organization is encapsulated in its logo and if we wish to be seen as dynamic, efficient and a provider of an exciting recreational activity our logo needs an overhaul.  

Coaching, Referees, Dispute Resolution, Relationships with Other Bodies

The above are some of the issues that will need to be addressed in the coming months.  We will endeavour to keep you well informed on all matters being addressed by the Executive.

In ending this initial Weekly Update can I say how much I have appreciated the support of so many people as we transition to a new Executive committee?

People like David and Jim have willingly put up their hands to assist.  There are many others who have volunteered to assist us and we will call on them as the need arises. Megan is proving to be a wonderful secretary who has ensured we as a committee are well informed.  As time unfolds I believe that we will grow and develop into an association that will show the way for many in basketball in Australia. 

Ron Carlton
President
EDJBA