REGIONAL ROUNDUP Many branches have struggled to keep members engaged and continue with activities during these uncertain times where gatherings are restricted. But some branches have embraced 21st century technology and soldiered on. Many have taken up the free Zoom option for a 40-minute meeting and found this time frame quite adequate.
Caboolture Branch Secretary Sara Gault found that holding meetings via Zoom turned out to be ideal for Caboolture members. At the last branch meeting 18 numbers ‘Zoomed’ in and discussed, among other things, how to deliver COVID safe JP services. For the foreseeable future meetings will continue to be held via Zoom, and, may include the AGM, which is scheduled to be held in August. Like many other branches, the Caboolture branch had to postpone workshops and other community engagement, but these activities will be up and running again when it is safe to do so. Sara says the Caboolture members are keen to return to their community signing duties and that she has purchased a safety screen to protect the volunteers at her local signing site.
Hornibrook Branch HORNIBROOK BRANCH SECRETARY WANTED The award-winning Branch of the Year 2019 is looking for a branch secretary. Contact Bev Nicholls on 0416 342 488 for details. Bev Nicholls, who is carrying the dual roles of Branch Chair and Secretary, has been very busy keeping engaged with her branch colleagues. She has done some ringing around to say a personal ‘hi’ to quite a few members. Bev says “many of our members live alone and rely on the friendship of fellow QJA members for social interaction” Bev has also sent out branch newsletters and organised a branch meeting via Zoom with mixed success. The nine members who attended hoped to hear from a local Police officer from the Domestic Violence Unit, however, she was not able to proceed as the QPS has technology restrictions and does not enable meetings via Zoom.
Gold Coast Branch Gold Coast Executive committee held a couple of practice runs with ‘Zoom’ before inviting the branch members to participate. Thirteen members linked in at the regular meeting date and time. Despite some minor technical glitches initially, the meeting settled in to a good interactive event. Members commented that this is the way of the future and that we will get better at holding electronic meetings as we progress. The Branch will hold the next meeting on 9 June via Zoom. 14
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To keep engaged with members a newsletter has been distributed as well as short and simple ‘quick tips’ which are delivered to members on a fortnightly basis.
Bundaberg Branch Bundaberg branch has found that while signing centres are closed, the general public have been able to access JP services via a variety of local community Facebook pages. Clients are advised that they can put in a request through a private message and the branch will help to find a JP willing to provide the service. The branch will resume regular meetings and activities when it is safe to do so.
Mackay Branch Mackay Branch executive committee had a successful Zoom meeting to discuss the cancellation of their refresher session and pre-appointment training, which will be rescheduled when normality returns. The committee is comfortable with this technology and has used it before so discussion turned to using Zoom for a general meeting. However, no decision was made about this as they are aware that some of the older members may find it challenging to adapt to the technology or not have the appropriate devices to participate. Food for thought.
Western Suburbs Branch Another Zoomer is Western Suburbs branch executive. Once connection was established a great interactive meeting followed. They are cautiously thinking about extending it to accommodate a branch meeting but are still in the wait and see phase. Keeping members engaged via a monthly newsletter which includes a ‘member spot’ where an individual member shares a little be about themselves. Feedback shows these ‘member spots’ have proved to be very popular with branch members who keenly await the next edition.
Brisbane South – Farewell There is a changing of the guard in Brisbane South Branch. Secretary Di Rippon, is heading back to her home town of Canberra after 16 years living in Brisbane’s southern suburbs. Di became the branch secretary in 2016 and has been one of the driving forces behind running such a successful branch. Di has been instrumental in organising community engagement activities as well as organising guest speakers and other professional development activities for branch members. Of her time as secretary, Di says “I have really enjoyed this role and will miss the friends and colleagues I have met along the way.” Di was a member of the 2018 Centennial Year Conference Planning Committee with special responsibility for organising
