200 years after Andrew Bent published Australia’s first independent newspaper, we have an initiative of our own.
We are in the process of establishing a totally independent non-profit association to create and promote digital and other media in Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Independent Media Association (TIMA*) will eventually inherit the existing Tasmanian Times website, but will also be a platform for many other things.
Exactly what those projects are is to be determined by the membership and their collective interests, skills and resources. TIMA will be a means of collaboration, with a legal structure that allows for accountability, legal protection and ongoing stability.
Whilst Tasmanian Times has always published many voices and had collective efforts to assist in publishing, it has always been solely owned. It’s time for it to become genuinely community-based. This will enable TT to improve, be a better community voice, and for TIMA to potentially undertake other media projects: podcasts, video content, media events, training courses for members, print projects … the sky is the limit!
The proposed objects and purposes of the association are below, and are still up for negotiation. We are assessing some options for the legal structure of the association and further information will be provided in due course.
At this stage of the project, people with skills, experience and interests in administration, legal matters, accounting and organisational management are particularly useful.
Our timeline:
- start discussion on the aims and format of the organisation (June)
- hold online meetings to assist in finalising the aims and format, see below (July/August)
- bring founding members together establish the association (August)
- hold a general meeting to set priorities for the following 12 months to consolidate the association (September)
- plan for transition of Tasmanian Times to TIMA (October-December); the actual transition timeframe is to be determined.
If you would like to be involved in any capacity, please send an email to [email protected] and we will will add you to our contact list. (If in the past you filled out the form we had on the site, you’re already on it)
We are holding several discussion sessions in July and August about this project.
- Saturday 27 July, 10:00-11:00 – https://us05web.zoom.us/j/
83035226641?pwd= cCPCI5W582ZAjXe4XtVjGh689ZP21c .1 - Thursday 1 August, 18:00-19.00 – https://us05web.zoom.us/j/
89322076778?pwd= 0Q3cTqfwbE24kEqp0kFsXVjKQ2UdOc .1
Both meetings will essentially be the same. We want to refine the objects and start to create a plan to establish the organisation. Your input is important so that we can create the kind of association that prospective members want.
Please register for either meeting if you can. If not, we invite you to send comments about the proposal (to [email protected]) and we will keep you informed about developments.
Tasmanian Independent Media Association – Draft Objects and Purposes
The objects and purposes of the Association, TIMA, consist of the following:
- the provision of news, commentary, photography and other information services for the people of Tasmania using a range of technologies and media, thus reflecting the cultural diversity of the state;
- the delivery of training relevant to media arts and community cultural development in Tasmania;
- the encouragement and development of not-for-profit independent media practice in Tasmania;
- the support of cultural institutions and events relevant to Tasmania;
- the purchase, taking on lease or in exchange, hire or other acquisition of any real or personal property necessary or convenient for any of the objects or purposes of the Association;
- the purchase, sale or supply of, or other dealing in, goods;
- the construction, maintenance or alteration of any building or works necessary or convenient for any of the objects or purposes of the Association;
- the acceptance of a gift for any of the objects or purposes of the Association;
- the taking of any step the committee, or the members of the Association at a general meeting, determine expedient for the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the Association;
- the digital or physical printing or publication of any newspaper, periodical, book, leaflet or other document the committee, or the members of the Association at a general meeting, determine desirable for the promotion of any of the objects or purposes of the Association;
- the borrowing and raising of money in any manner and on terms – I) the committee thinks fit; or ii) approved or directed by resolution passed at a general meeting;
- subject to the provisions of the Trustee Act 1898, the investment, in any manner the committee determines, of any money of the Association not immediately required for any of the objects or purposes of the Association;
- the making of a gift, subscription or donation to any of the funds, authorities or institutions to which section 78A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 of the Commonwealth relates;
- the establishment and support, or aiding in the establishment and support, of associations, institutions, funds, trusts, schemes or conveniences calculated to benefit employees or past employees of the Association and their dependants, and the granting of pensions, allowances or other benefits to employees or past employees of the Association and their dependants, and the making of payments towards insurance in relation to any of those purposes;
- the establishment and support, or aiding in the establishment or support, of any other association formed for any of the basic objects of the Association;
- the purchase, or acquisition, and the undertaking of all or part of the property, assets, liabilities or engagements of any association with which the Association is amalgamated in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules of the Association;
- the doing of any lawful thing incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects or purposes of the Association.
* The actual name of the association is to be determined by the founding members. TIMA is a placeholder.
Jan Davis
June 18, 2024 at 12:00
I’ve worked in Not for Profits for more years than I will publicly admit to. As a consultant, I write constitutions/governing rules for them.
As with many things, there are fashions in constitutions. Over recent years, and recognising the increasing litigiousness in society, the accepted form for objects has been very much ‘less is more’. Where there is a lengthy list of objects, Courts have ruled that if something is not mentioned, it is not included. Hence the trend to a broad single statement along the lines of ‘to do all things …’.
In your case, this would look something like ‘to do all things to promote the provision of news, commentary, photography and other information services for the people of Tasmania using a range of technologies and media, thus reflecting the cultural diversity of the state.’
Objects 2-18 are then legitimate activities under the broader remit. Your comments are invited.
Chief Editor TT
June 18, 2024 at 18:44
Very good point. For the time being we can leave them in the draft as it helps to give a sense of what’s possible as we’re still at the stage of trying to spark enthusiasm.
Simon Warriner
June 18, 2024 at 20:44
It seems to me that an “Association” is generally understood to be an umbrella body representing multiple independent entities. If this is the case, does not the “Association” taking an ownership and operation role in the production of a masthead conflict with its broader representative ambitions?
What processes and protocols would be in place to welcome other independent mastheads/content producers who wanted the benefits of “association” without being subject to control and possible conflicts with the “Association” product in the market place? If there is no avenue for their representation then the use of the term “Association” is, to my mind, somewhat deceptive. What would the criteria for other independent entities entering the “Association” be other than their “independence”?
I am not saying the objective of moving to public ownership, and the other activities proposed, are not without considerable merit, just that the implied structure and objectives seem at odds with each other.
Re brevity while maintaining scope .. Jan has nailed it.
Chief Editor TT
June 19, 2024 at 10:41
Thanks for the input, Simon.
We’re probably just going with this: “association – noun: An organised body of people who have an interest, activity, or purpose in common; a society.”
The association will be able to auspice – if the elected board so decides – fledgling groups, small projects, etc. for as long as necessary under the typical auspicing agreements that are much used in community arts and cultural development organisations.
Geoffrey Swan
June 19, 2024 at 15:28
Hello, Jan. My comment is slightly off the topic to this article, but pertinent with respect to an association’s constitution.
In assisting another association this past weekend, the committee (or board) had not followed the rules of its own constitution and has made unconstitutional decisions that will impact others. In investigating this I found that the Justice Department refers to Consumer Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) and CBOS refers to legal advice. Legal advice then refers to CBOS. It appears therefore, that there is not a body or authority which has any say or control over an association that is ignoring the rules of their constitution.
Any thoughts, please?
Thinker
June 23, 2024 at 19:39
Geoffrey Swan has stated “It appears, therefore, that there is not a body or authority which has any say or control over an Association that is ignoring the rules of its constitution.”
With several disenchanted and annoyed others, and by attending a pricy formal meeting with a city law firm, we found to our shock that Geoffrey’s keen observation is indeed fact.
The official view is that the “Rules of the Association” are there to be used. In short, when drafting the Rules, look ahead – and anticipate!