To match the changing world, User Groups need to evolve - recognising shifts in the needs of Members and exploiting new facilities and technologies. This month, we highlight two areas - Regulations and Resources.

Melb PC Rules

For some time now (like, 5 years) your Management Committee has been considering various changes to our Rules and Regulations, to streamline the way the group operates and to meet new legislative requirements. While some member input has been obtained via the online Newsgroups, wider commentary is now sought on some possible changes.

Management Board — To recognise the corporate governance needed for a group of our size (and to remove the confusion with other Interest Group committees), it is suggested that the existing Management group be termed the Board of Melbourne PC User Group, with 12 honorary directors equivalent to the existing 12 Management Committee members.

Postal Voting Only — Currently we have postal, proxy and in attendance voting at our Annual General Meeting, that can cause frantic counting activity and delays at our AGMs. Returning Officers of recent years have proposed that along with many other organisations (such as RACV), we simply have postal voting only, with a resulting streamlined process and more orderly General Meetings. An alternative idea was electronic voting, but your Committee has investigated and found that at this stage the complexity outweighs the benefits. Note: While there would be no proxies for the board election, they would still be available for voting at the AGM or SGM (acceptance of financial accounts, rule changes, major motions etc).

Term on Board — To provide continuity, it is suggested that there should be a two (or three) year term of office - with half (or one third) retiring each year and needing re-election. Discussions are also occurring regarding a maximum term, say three two-year terms giving a six year maximum participation.

Executive Positions — Instead of having separate elections for the Executive (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), these positions would be decided by the incoming board each year, enabling rotation and broader selection to obtain the best person.

Corporate Governance — To meet recent legislative changes, we now need to add sections for a "Privacy of Information" policy and a "Disputes and Mediation" mechanism.

Comments on any of the above changes are welcomed by 15 June, preferably via the local newsgroup
where others can comment on your suggestions or via e-mail to secretary@melbpc.org.au. For people
seeking the detail of the existing rules, see http://www.melbpc.org.au/melbpc/rules/melbpcrules.pdf or the monthly CD.

Resources

As part of our move to Chadstone, we have established extra resources - an expanded library, a network room and an additional meeting room. Library usage has grown and we are now seeking ideas and people interested in establishing a home network demonstration centre, or a computer gaming room. We have initiated a new Interest group for Affiliate Marketing (How to get Income from a humble Web site), and invite suggestions from members regarding other areas for new Special Interest Group topics or similar initiatives.

The area we obtained at Chadstone has three extra offices not currently needed, so we are seeking to sublet that area as serviced facilities, possibly for members or friends running a small business. Interested parties are invited to e-mail Business Manager, Sharon Kay skay@melbpc.org.au to arrange an inspection and discussion.

June Meeting - Great New Venue

At our May 2005 meeting, we used a new location - Lecture Theatre One on the Burwood campus of Deakin University. Apart from familiarisation issues at a new site, (where to park, and then where to find the Theatre) we found it to be an ideal venue, having great acoustics and a large screen close to the audience. Our June meeting will again use this facility, whereas our July meeting will return to the City providing appropriate location balance

In addition to the usual Q&A session in June, we will be given an update on the latest CAD (Computer Aided Design) tools being used to by architects designing Melbourne's new buildings, and a demonstration of the software product Download Studio - It manages the deluge of information we now get onto our PCs.

Overall, it has the promise of another great night at this great new venue. Have a great month.

Reprinted from the June 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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