ACMP president Lisa Saad resigns

Melbourne-based photographer and ACMP member, Bret Salinger, was in attendance at the ACMP Annual General Meeting (AGM). He jotted down some notes and put together a summary for Pro Counter.

saad

Lisa Saad resigns after three years at the helm of the ACMP

The ACMP’s Annual General meeting was held in Melbourne on December 3 and was marked by an emotional farewell from president Lisa Saad, who stood down as president and board member after seven years on the board – three as president.

Robert Anderson chaired the meeting, which, whilst there were only a small number of members in attendance, presented a range of positive initiatives for the future of the organisation.

In her president’s report Lisa thanked past and present board members for their support and said that while she regretted the decision to stand down her time was done.

‘We’ve grown strong as a united board,’ she said.

Lisa’s report also clarified CEO Brian Katzen’s role, saying that his appointment as the ACMP’s first CEO reflected the fact that the ACMP is headed in a new direction, and she also thanked Brian for the many extra hours he’d worked above and beyond those expected of his part-time position.

The constitution allows for 5-7 board members, and with Lisa and another member withdrawing their nominations prior to the AGM there was no need for an election, leaving sole new nominee Robert Catto to join the board alongside the existing members, Robert Anderson, Richard Weinstein, Matthew Vasilescu and Brett Anthony.

Lisa advised that the board had nominated Richard Weinstein as the new president of the ACMP.

Brian Katzen tabled the organisation’s accounts, which were audited by DC Douglas who attested that the accounts were accurate. The figures indicate a slight loss before income tax in 2014 leaving the organisation with a small reserve of cash.

A Q&A session followed, which allowed Brian to clarify issues around line item reporting in the financials. Essentially, there is now greater differentiation between the sales and subscriptions categories, allowing for a clearer understanding of financial performance, member numbers and better reporting.

Membership numbers resolved

acmpThe board was asked to confirm membership numbers, which currently stand at 240, broken down as 140 full members, 60 students and 40 emerging members.

Recent conjecture about the future of the ACMP was also addressed. The board was enthusiastic about the continuation of commercial photography as a viable profession and in the ACMP’s role in championing this part of the professional photographic industry. It was revealed that a range of events had been delivered in Melbourne and Sydney during the year, with growing momentum for the delivery of events in Perth and Brisbane.

There was a feeling from one of the members in attendance that the ACMP ‘should value standards above sales’ and the board was able to advise of a range of initiatives being discussed to strengthen the standing of professional photographers, which includes working with educational organisations to continue to develop a more professional culture.

All members of the board expressed their willingness to hear from members and welcomed their positive input and ideas – so if you have thoughts on how to improve the ACMP get in touch with a board member, who are all working photographers looking to improve the commercial photography industry for all of us.


Recent Related Posts