CORPORATE SERVICES

Consistent improvement ensuring an effective association

We will:

• Be financially sustainable, ethical, socially and environmentally responsible • Provide an efficient and effective group of professional people representing members • Preserve and strengthen the association.

SPASA is a well-governed association that adopts best practice to benefit members improving effectiveness and efficiency of our services. We represent a network of professionals who seek to provide families a better life through ownership and access to pools and spas. Swimming is part of the Australasian culture and it is our belief that everyone deserves to swim, play and relax in a beautiful pool or spa. An association needs a solid foundation to assure sound governance and management of the organisation. The basis of this is a clearly defined vision and mission, with a well-managed organisational capacity and capability to deliver on these to meet the organisation’s strategic objectives. This also enables an association to promote ethical and responsible decision making to its members while safeguarding the organisation’s financial position, integrity and sustainability. Throughout 2019/2020 the board confirmed the values of the Association and further developed the Strategic Plan 20-25, formalising the direction of the organisation and sharpening our focus. The plan was prepared using information provided by the Association, members, leadership and staff and sets clear direction and time frames as well as how our success will be measured. Hot on the tail of our expansion into SPLASH! and the Pool & Spa magazine, in 2020 we merged with the Pool and Spa Covers Association of Australia (PASCAA), a collaboration of leading Australian manufacturers and fabricators of pool and spa covers. This merger is another step towards the strategic goal for SPASA of one unified industry voice, promoting the pool and spa lifestyle.

Derek Prince, Vice-President of PASCAA, said

“PASCAA is proud to merge with the peak industry body. SPASA Australia set out to and has achieved their clear goals to build our national industry body and PASCAA has seen the importance of one body to unify our swimming pool industry. This merger will deliver a better outcome for the swimming pool industry and ultimately the consumer.” Recruitment commenced for a General Manager for SPASA New Zealand at the end of 2020, with Jonty Mills appointed to the position and commencing in early 2021. As a previous CEO of membershipbased organisation Water Safety New Zealand, preceded by a lengthy career in the private sector, Jonty comes with a wealth of leadership and advocacy experience across diverse stakeholder and membership groups. Describing himself as fundamentally about people and partnerships, Jonty has a specialist background in commercial business, communications and relationship management across the private, public and notfor-profit sectors. He is looking forward to moving the industry forward in New Zealand with a strong united voice and member benefits delivered locally by a local.

“It’s a great time to be joining the industry and SPASA as the organisation delivers on its commitment to invest and grow in New Zealand,” Mills said. “The opportunities for a strong and united industry are exciting for both existing and new members, as well as the wider community.”

Jonty on NZ National TV in 2021

Coupled with the appointment of Daena BougoureLatchford and Michael Brennan, half of SPASA staff are dedicated to local member support, identifying and addressing member needs locally across the organisation. SPASA works hard to provide career pathways for staff, offering development opportunities that grow their skillset and ensure the future of the association through succession planning. SPASA also works to ensure that the board are qualified and skilled for the future of the Association by mapping their skills and identifying opportunities to strengthen their capabilities.