This is the brief annual report, presented to the BaBS AGM today. A financial report was also presented, and is available for members.
If you are involved in BaBS groups, and would like to support BaBS at an organisational level by becoming a member, please speak to one of the facilitators or midwives, or leave a message at this blog, and a membership form and other information will be emailed to you.
ANNUAL REPORT 2009
BaBS INCORPORATED
Report of the Association for the Annual General Meeting 28 September 2009
Since the inaugural meeting of BaBS Inc 6 August 2008, the committee has provided management and oversight of the association.
In November 2008 the committee accepted, with regret, the resignation of Erika Munton from the role of National Coordinator. Erika continued as a committee member, and as a facilitator of the Croydon BaBS group.
Erika has been an inspirational leader in BaBS, and the committee thank Erika for her dedication and skill in the past three years in the development of BaBS. Erika’s shoes have been difficult to fill. Other committee members have acted as they have been able in her absence.
Financial matters have been competently managed by the Treasurer, Tabitha Melgalvis. An ABN (Australian Business Number) has been accessed, and it appears on the association’s letterhead. A bank account has been opened with the Community Banking Sector (Bendigo Bank). BaBS Incorporated has been registered with the Australian Tax Office as a tax exempt body.
BaBS groups meet regularly at various locations. In some instances groups have ceased when the availability of facilitators has changed. The groups (in alphabetical order) have been facilitated at Albury NSW, Bayside Vic, Box Hill Vic, Casey Vic, Croydon Vic, Ferntree Gully Vic, Macedon Vic, Stanthorpe Qld, Sunshine Coast Qld, Ipswich Qld, Wagga Wagga NSW, and Wangaratta Vic. Some of the groups have continued under the management of Maternity Coalition, while others, particularly those in Victoria, report to BaBS Inc.
BaBS groups rely on leadership from mothers and midwives in communities. In the past six months there has been an unexpected and unprecedented threat to the future of private midwifery practice in Australia as a result of legislative reforms. BaBS has been supported by midwives in private practice, and this threat to their ability to continue practising has diverted much energy and availability.
BaBS continues to provide peer support groups for mothers in their communities, seeking to enable new mothers and pregnant women to increase their control over, and to improve, their health in pregnancy and birthing, and in the nurture of their babies.
Joy Johnston
Acting National Coordinator
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