[Pil-pc-oceania] future directions of PIL discussion in lead up to APC 9 and PIL AGM at APC 9

[David Arnold]

Thanks Tim,


of the future directions suggestions, the first two seem to me to be very
sensible and timely


·         Register a new trading name that reflects the organizations
function- e.g. "Permaculture Australia"

·         Act as national networking body for regional groups (make
arrangements for regional group members to also gain PIL membership)
How would PIL, or a new 'Permaculture Australia', go with a 'federalised'
board structure that is comprised of regional group representatives?  Is it
possible for the existing PIL to adapt to this?

David





On 16/03/2008, Tim Winton <timwinton at internode.on.net> wrote:
>
>  Hi all,
>
>
>
> The PIL board has decided to widen a discussion started among PIL members
> about future directions of PIL to the pil-pc-oceania list in the lead up to
> APC9. I've been nominated to circulate the email below which outlines PILs
> current activities, structure and which also points to some possible future
> directions. We look forward to your comments and to some discussion about
> future directions for PIL here on the list. We can extend and intensify the
> conversation at APC 9.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Tim
>
>
>
> --
>
> Tim Winton
>
> Permaculture International Limited
>
> www.permacultureinternational.org
>
>
>
>
>
> Outlined below are PIL's current primary functions and how it functions;
> its purpose; structure; and possible future directions.
>
>
>
> Primary Functions:
>
>
>
> ·         PIL Pc Oceania listserve- administers and maintains listserve
> for wider permaculture community.
>
> ·         Accredited Permaculture Training (APT tm)- administers APT,
> accredits trainers, maintains relationships with auspicing Registered
> Training Organizations (RTOs)
>
> ·         PIL Web Site- administers Content Management System (CMS)
> website features including: membership management system (members), global
> directory, news, course listings, articles and calendar of events.
>
> ·         Permafund- administers Tax Deductable Gift fund for supporting
> permaculture projects.
>
>
>
> Functioning:
>
>
>
> At this stage PIL functions very much on a "small and slow solutions"
> approach. The organization has limited human resources and covers off the
> primary functions above via distributed and often fairly autonomous activity
> within a small number of subcommittees. PIL's financial outlays are very
> small and its income is modest, making it economically stable and
> financially solvent, despite its relatively low level of activity.(note:
> limited human resources and financial stresses have been a chronic problem
> for the organization since well before the last days of PIJ publication. A
> large part of the last 5 years has been a restructuring to a virtual
> organization with sustainable levels of human and financial activity).
>
>
>
> Purpose:
>
>
>
> At this stage it is not really functioning as an 'international'
> organization, although it maintains a global permaculture directory. It is
> still the only democratically controlled national permaculture organization
> in Australia, and it has functioned in the past as a national focus and
> networking hub. Via the listserve and the web site it still serves this
> purpose.
>
>
>
> Structure:
>
>
>
> Consists of a board of directors with five members (current board Russ
> Grayson, Colin Endean, Andrew Rettig (treasurer), Jerome Santospirito and
> Tim Winton (interim secretary) and four subcommittees (communications/web
> sub; Permafund sub; APT discussions sub; APT work groups sub). PIL is a not
> for profit company limited by guarantee. Board members manage the
> organization via subcommittees who present proposals to the board and
> implement/manage initiatives. PIL is a totally volunteer organization.
>
>
>
> Possible Future Directions:
>
>
>
> PIL is currently operating at a low but sustainable level. Any future
> directions or initiatives should have the financial and human sustainability
> as top priorities to avoid a relapse into unsustainable levels of activity.
>
>
>
> Future directions suggestions:
>
> ·         Register a new trading name that reflects the organizations
> function- e.g. "Permaculture Australia"
>
> ·         Act as national networking body for regional groups (make
> arrangements for regional group members to also gain PIL membership)
>
> ·         Develop Permafund
>
> ·         Develop web site publishing. The site has the capacity to act as
> a very low maintenance online PIJ by virtue of its CMS structure.
>
> ·         Develop an online member newsletter which informed members of
> PIL subcommittee and board activity as well as the activities of regional
> groups and members.
>
>
>
> All of these activities are relatively easy to establish, they are within
> sustainable levels of activity with a modest input of fresh energy, and they
> would establish PIL as a relevant national body and provide more useful
> services to the permaculture community.
>
>
>
> Tim
>
>
>
> PS The PIL AGM is being held at APC 9 on Sunday evening.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pil-pc-oceania mailing list
> Pil-pc-oceania at lists.permacultureinternational.org
> http://jasper.cmsarchitects.com/mailman/listinfo/pil-pc-oceania
>
>


-- 
David Arnold
Permaculture Designer
4446 Murchison Rd
Violet Town VIC AUS 3669
03 5798 1679
arnold.vt at gmail.com
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