Welcome to the NSW Rural Fire Service Association

REPRESENTATIVE BODIES

The adoption of the new Constitution by the RFSA at the AGM in June 2008 effectively brought about change in a number of areas.

There is no differentiation between Volunteer and Salaried members of the RFSA.
Representation to State Council is to be from 16 Divisions rather than the previous representation from eight (8) Regions.

The structure embodied in the new Constitution needs to be effected prior to the next AGM of the RFSA in May 2009.

Transitional arrangements are required so that the Divisional structure will evolve under the auspices of the existing Regional representation.

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE RFSA DIVISIONS

CURRENT SITUATION

The situation at present is that Delegates and Office Bearers for the various Branch / Regional and State functions are in place, having been elected prior to the adoption of the new Constitution.

This effectively means that at a functional level the RFSA continues as in previous years until Divisions are introduced.

FUTURE POSITION

ROLE OF REGIONAL CONFERENCES

Each Regional Conference is to establish an Organising Group. The role of the Organising Group is to facilitate the establishment of an inaugural Branch meeting for each Zone within the Division. In many cases Volunteer Branches may already exist, however it is important that Branches be formed under the “New “ Constitution, whereby all volunteer and staff members of the Rural Fire Service are invited to attend that meeting from within the particular Zone.

This inaugural meeting would then elect the number of Delegates in accordance with the rules (in conjunction with the Constitution) so as to represent the Zone Branch at the Divisional Committee. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that all Zone Branches have the opportunity, where practical, to have parity of representation.

In general terms the role of the Organising Group is completed once the Divisional structure is in place, and two (2) Delegates are elected to represent that particular Division at State Council.

ROLE OF STATE COUNCIL

The functional role of State Council remains as conducted previously, however it is anticipated that representation on State Council will change as the new Divisional structure is implemented.

It should be noted that under the recently adopted Constitution, delegates are elected for a period of two (2) years and that a minimum of five (5) salaried and five (5) volunteer members are required for representation on State Council.

ROLE OF STATE EXECUTIVE

The role of State Executive remains unchanged during this period as the current tenure of Executive members is until the AGM in 2009 where elections will be held for the State Executive, and the period of tenure for those members elected will be two years. It should be noted that the State Executive at that time is to comprise a minimum of three (3) salaried and three (3) volunteer members, with the State Executive being a total of ten (10) members.

SUMMARY

For these changes to occur, the support of all members is necessary for the outcomes to be achieved. During the change process members should be mindful of the following, so that there is a full understanding of the role of existing delegates.

STATE COUNCIL REPRESENTATION

Currently each of the existing eight (8) Regions are represented by both a Chairperson and a Delegate of both Volunteer and Salaried staff, with each having full voting rights.

Progressively with the introduction of Divisions, representation at State Council will be made up of the existing eight (8) Regions PLUS a (single) Chairperson and Delegate from the Divisions that have been formed with each Region AND each Division having full voting rights.

Eventually Division representation at State Council will replace those of Region.

NON STATUTORY (ADVISORY) COMMITTEES

There is a review taking place of the existing Non Statutory (Advisory) Committees from both a representation and performance perspective. Until that review is completed and the recommendations determined, there will be NO CHANGE to the EXISTING NON STATUTORY (ADVISORY) COMMITTEES i.e. Representation, meetings and structure, irrespective of the introduction of Divisions.