National Congress makes landmark decisions
National Congress makes landmark decisions
At a special meeting on 27 and 28 July 2010, Engineers Australia’s National Congress made two landmark decisions. This followed extensive review processes over the last two years, and substantial input from members and external experts.
First, Congress finalised a complete rewrite of the Royal Charter and By-laws, creating a modern document written in plain language. This replaces a 73 year old document that has been amended many times, and as a result has developed many ambiguities, inconsistencies and legal flaws. A membership ballot to approve the new documents will be held in October 2010, and all Corporate members are urged to vote in support of this. You will hear more about this soon.
The new Royal Charter and By-laws will not change the governance or membership structure, but contains one symbolic policy change. It will allow associate and technologist members to vote in future membership ballots for changes to the Royal Charter and By-laws. The 50-person representative Congress voted overwhelmingly in favour of this, as a final legacy of 2008 our Year of the Engineering Team.
Secondly, Congress finalised a complete rewrite of the Code of Ethics and Guidelines on Professional Conduct, creating modern documents with simpler structures, and with updated statements on matters such as community obligations and sustainability. The new Code of Ethics will come into effect on 1 September 2010, and will trigger the development of an ethics awareness program for members.
The National Congress is a 50-person body of elected representatives, which elects the 9-person governing Council. In 2010 our Year of Engineering Leadership, Congress is providing great leadership and vision in bringing our key underpinning documents into the 21st Century.
Doug Hargreaves
National President, Engineers Australia
2 August 2010
