Conference is over for another year and my thanks again to Sue and all the Board, our speakers, facilitators and sponsors. Thanks also to those of you who attended.
The Panel discussion with Professor Tony Bovaird, John Austin, Chair of ADSO, Cllr Graham Chapman, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council, Jacqui Mckinlay was quite lively and feedback on this particular session was very positive. Thanks to Vice Chair Dave Burn for organising and chairing.
Congratulations to Wigan Council who received the Team of the Year award and commiserations to the other shortlisted authorities. They can all feel very proud of themselves. Well done to all the learners who received their certificates, to Gary Wood (Waverley Council) our Learner of the Year, and to Emma Denny (North Norfolk District Council) and Rachel Williamson (London Borough of Wandsworth) for receiving commendations for their excellent work within their authorities.
Our guest of honour at the dinner was Councillor Jackie Morris, Sheriff of Nottingham. Jackie was an absolute star and really entered into the spirit of the evening, presenting the awards with great enthusiasm and humour. We also had five delegates who had travelled all the way from North Miami in the USA to attend conference. We really enjoyed their company. Photos of the conference are on the ADSO Facebook page and thanks to Wayne Chandai for being our official photographer. He did a great job as you will see.
We were all delighted to celebrate the fact that Joanne Griffiths from St Helens Council had received an MBE earlier this year for 35 years of voluntary work. Well done Joanne. We are all very proud of you.
We made a number of decisions at Annual General Meetings and I’m pleased to say that the following Director appointments were confirmed: John Austin – Chair Dave Burn – Vice Chair Peter Sass – Board Secretary John Lynch – Director of Finance Sue Keogh – Director of Development Wayne Chandai – Director of Communications This is an excellent team, committed to taking ADSO forward in 2017.
The AGM also approved a performance management process which will make all Directors more accountable for the work we do. Objectives will now be set annually for each post holder, based on ADSO’s Business Plan. We have also introduced a remuneration package of £4,000 per year for each Director, 25% of which will be subject to the satisfactory achievement of those objectives. The remaining £3000 will be paid in the form of a ‘basic allowance’ to recognise the work each Director does.
Please see the AGM papers on the website if you would like further information or contact me at john.austin@adso.co.uk.
All of the conference resources can be found here