General Body meeting 2015

General Body Meeting Minutes

Date: 10th January 2015, 12.30 pm

Venue: Physiotherapy Gym

Members Present: 21

The meeting started with a word of prayer.

The General Secretary welcomed all members and introduced the Agenda.

1. Presentation of Annual Reports:

General Secretary stated that the year passed without any activities and no formal report was presented.
The treasurer read out the annual income & expenditure report. Stated the account balance is Rs.2,17,413 and is in the process of getting it audited within one or two weeks and will hand over the audited account to the new executive committee. The Treasurer suggested that young alumni must take up posts as they will have more time, ideas and enthusiasm in the association.

Discussions: A general body member enquired whether Rs.15,000 were given to OPTSA this year. The treasurer replied that the funds were not transferred this year because the President had resigned and waiting for the replacement of President as the check needs dual signature. Now it could be done once the auditing is completed and new President and Treasurer Signatures are sent for approval to the bank.

The General Secretary explained that they Best OT & PT award could not be given this year due to unavoidable reasons and the governing body was hoping to give them away during the interns farewell that will be conducted by OPTSA.

A general body member suggested that OPTSA needs funds mainly during the start of the governing body’s term, before OPTSA day. Treasurer suggested that OPTSA concerned person need to remind this to the OPTAA treasurer well ahead of the need. Suggested to handover the check to OPTSA in a formal function.

General Secretary discussed that several alumni expressed concerns about being informed about these meetings in the last minute. It was suggested that the next general body informs the alumni well in advance about such meetings.

A general body member advised the upcoming GB to use the available resources better and work towards improving communication with alumni around the globe.

A general body member enquired regarding the website, its need, aim and administrators. Another general body member replied that permission regarding linking the website through the official CMC page has been granted. The background work has been done but it needs to be taken up from there and after discussing with CHIPS regarding the content and formalities, the website can be started.

The annual reporting’s were accepted by the General body suggested to be passed by Miss Anumeha Srivastava and seconded by Mr. Sandeep Kumar

2) Following amendments were suggested to the constitution:

To change the term of the posts of President, Vice President, General Secretary and treasurer to 2 years from previous 3 years term. This would help to include the junior members into the executive committee and utilize their services effectively, such as 2 year bond candidates.

Constitute an advisory committee that will have two permanent (department heads) and two temporary members.

The general body discussed the amendments and accepted the amendments unanimously. The amendments will be formally circulated and also incorporated in the constitution from this year.

3) New Executive Committee Elections:

Elections were conducted for the following posts and members were unanimously elected for the posts.

President: Mr. Arun Paul, Batch of 2002
Vice President: Mr. Thomas Mathew, Batch of 1986
General Secretary: Ms. Reetha Janet, Batch of 2003
Treasurer: Mr. Joseph Bedford, Batch of 2000
Program Secretary: Ms. Anumeha Srivastava, Batch of 2009

Suggestions for the advisory committee, temporary members were accepted as Ms. Reema Samuel and Mr. Lenny Vasanthan. Mr. Andrew Babu and Mr. Sanjeev M. Padankatti will be the permanent advisory committee members for the executive committee

4) Discussions:

EDUCATION PROGRAM :

CME: suggestions regarding lectures by alumni were raised. The recent visit by alumnus Batch of 1994 Dr.Sujay Galen was appreciated. It was also brought into light that if the CME is conducted on OPTSA day it will be difficult for students and interns to attend it. A minimum of 1 CME per year must be conducted.

It was also suggested that one person be appointed to keep in touch with all the alumni who are coming to India/ vellore. This way we can coordinate with them to come and give lectures/ classes/ workshops for our students.

Suggestions regarding continuing expansion of the alumni database were made. It was raised that OPTAA should grow and work towards solving students’ and alumni issues such as accommodation for service obligation women and problems faced while doing service obligations in other hospitals. Reigniting work in relation to scholarships, exchange programs and endowment fund must be done. An active alumni association will also lead to recognition by the administration. Increasing interaction between OPTAA and OPTSA was suggested. Suggestions regarding starting a CMC physiotherapy journal were raised.

Conducting more frequent general body meetings (once in 3 months), monthly Executive committee meetings, and yearly or once in 2 years international alumni general body meeting was suggested. Organizing these meetings in formal venues was advised so that the administration stays aware of our activity.
In the long run getting a separate alumni office and secretary to handle the work must be aimed at; as suggested by a general body member. Also, approval for the president of OPTAA to be a part of the council must be strived for.

The GB meeting ended with a word of prayer.

Complied by: Ms. Anumeha Srivastava