Why the upcoming AGM votes matter

Three crucial resolutions are set to be voted on at the RACGP’s 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the results of which will impact the college’s ability to function in the year ahead.
 
Two of the resolutions ask members to approve RACGP President and Board Director remuneration for the 2023–24 financial year, while the third relates to constitutional updates needed to facilitate the expanded activities being undertaken by the college, such as profession-led training.
 
RACGP President Adjunct Professor Karen Price told newsGP all of the constitutional changes, which must receive 75% of the membership vote to pass, have the Board’s unanimous support.
 
‘We’ve reviewed these resolutions in granular detail and are of the firm view that they’re in the best interests of members and the college itself,’ she said.
 
‘While these amendments don’t fundamentally change the role or actions of the college, they are necessary to support the transition to profession-led training and establish the new Northern Territory Faculty.
 
‘These are actions that already have the support of membership, we are simply taking the technical steps required to bring them to fruition.’
 
Adjunct Professor Price also said the Board is hoping to opportunistically modernise out-of-date language contained in the constitution.  
 
‘It makes sense to update some of these old-fashioned words like “servants” and “punished” to language more in keeping with contemporary standards,’ she said.
 
Other amendments relate to reducing the college’s administrative burden and tightening regulations to further protect how member funds are used.
 
‘A small but important change is proposed for the Objects, to add the word “vocational”,’ Professor Price said.
 
‘We’ve always provided lifelong training, CPD and educational services, to all GPs and this remains unchanged from the RACGP’s overall purpose. When we refer to “vocational training”, we’re referring to undertaking a RACGP program or one of the pathways to RACGP Fellowship.’
 
Another change is being made to ensure the college’s income may be applied to a related entity, such as GP Synergy (now called RACGP Training Services), provided that the related entity’s charitable purpose is consistent with that of the RACGP. According to the Board, this will facilitate the use of RACGP Training Services to employ staff and to help deliver the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program.
 
Outgoing RACGP Board Chair Christine Nixon told newsGP it is important for members to have their say on all three resolutions, for which voting is already open.
 
‘No organisation can function properly without a capable Board and sound constitution,’ she said.
 
‘The past few years have been among the most turbulent in recent memory, and while the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us there are a myriad of challenges just over the horizon, including cybersecurity threats, increasing climate change impacts and ongoing economic volatility.
 
‘It is important for the college to have the appropriate structures in place, which are maintained by people with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to steer the college in the coming years.
 
‘But of course, this also requires the support of members, who at all times are our number one priority.’
 
Detailed information on the resolutions can be found in the RACGP’s Notice of the AGM, while there are also answers to frequently asked questions on the college website.
 
The proposed Board remuneration package for 2023–24, which must gain 50% support from voting members, has been set at $1,053,761 – a slight increase compared to the base amount agreed to for 2022–23 as a result of a position being created to represent the newly formed NT Faculty.
 
According to the AGM’s explanatory notes, the Board has resolved to not apply a consumer price index (CPI) increase for 2023–24, meaning base remuneration for Faculty Chairs remains at $41,457.15, plus superannuation, which has increased slightly to reflect ‘Federal mandated increases’.
 
Ms Nixon says fair remuneration is vital for ensuring the college can attract and maintain high quality Directors who reflect the diverse views of the entire membership.
 
‘Being a Board member is a major commitment that involves so much more than simply attending a meeting once a month,’ she said.
 
‘Directors must have comprehensive industry knowledge, while also possessing technical and professional skills related to strategic expertise, risk and change management, leadership and financial management.
 
‘Providing appropriate remuneration also means we can receive input from a range of members at varying stages of their respective GP journey, not simply those who are financially secure enough to sacrifice the income required to attend to all of their various duties.’
 
The AGM is scheduled to take place at GP22 on Thursday 24 November at 4.30 pm (AEDT), with registered members also able to attend online.
 
Under the RACGP’s Constitution, all those on the members’ register 48 hours prior to the AGM may attend, while eligible members can cast their vote online up to 10 days prior to the AGM, or during the AGM via the BigPulse voting platform.
 
Members should have received an email on Wednesday 16 November (Subject: 2022 RACGP Annual General Meeting – Voting Link) with information on how to register.
 
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AGM annual general meeting director remuneration RACGP Board RACGP constitution