Minutes of 2013 AGM

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VIETNAM
MINUTES of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HANOI CHAPTER COMMITTEE 2013
Board Members Present: David Whitehead, Lia Garcia Halpin, Kathleen Bree, Stephanie
Ralainarivo, Elodie Journet, Angela Pickett, Simon Taylor, Jamie Hills, Michael Johnston,
Board Members Absent: Giles Cooper
In Attendance: Rachael Thompson
Other Members Present: Vu Thi Hanh (Warren Brown & Technologies), Alan Young (SSE
Steel), Steven Winkelman (Concordia International School), James Mullen (ABB), Jason Kirwin
(International School of Vietnam), Adam McDonald (InterContinental Hanoi Westlake).
Venue: The Press Club, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
Meeting opened: 6.35pm.
1. Chairman David Whitehead welcomed all attendees and introduced our current Board of
Directors and Executive Director. He gave special thanks to our Corporate Sponsors, the
Australian Embassy and Austrade for their continued support.
2. David reported on the activities of the past year. Highlights included improved participation
in the areas:
a. Business Advocacy. VBF- Vietnam Business Forum, ACAPR- Advisory Council of
Administrative Procedures Reform, Anti-Bribery Initiatives etc.
b. Charity. Over USD25, 000+ raised for charitable organisations in 2012, including
USD2, 425 at the Hanoi Arabian Nights Ball in support of Sympameals.
c. Memberships. Nationally, as at the end of 2012, there were 564 nominees- the
same result as 2011. So far in 2013, there are 458 nominees.
d. Events.
i. 7 business luncheons held in Hanoi in 2013, including topics on banking, anticorruption, quality assurance and the labour code. Many other lunches cohosted with other Chambers such as BBGV, CanCham, EuroCham.
ii. Monthly Sundowners networking events held at various venues around Hanoi
attracting a consistent audience of 30-50 people.
Ho Chi Minh City Chapter:
Hanoi Chapter:
2nd Floor, Eximland Building, 179EF Cach Mang Thang Tam
Street, Ward 5, District 3, HCMC
Tel (84-8) 3832 9912/13/14 Fax (84-8) 3832 9915
Email office@auschamvn.org
Web www.auschamvn.org
Room 2707, AB Bank Building
101 Lang Ha Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Tel (84) 909 710 994
Fax (84-8) 3832 9915 (HCMC Office)
Email auschamhanoi@auschamvn.org
Web www.auschamvn.org
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VIETNAM
iii. Hanoi Chapter Arabian Nights Ball held in November 2012, attracted approx.
200 people.
3. David reported he expected continued participation as per the above areas. In addition the
members can look forward to:
a. Possible Australian Food and Wine Day to be held in first half of 2013.
b. Bi-annual Australian Business Awards to take place in HCMC in November 2013.
c. Annual Hanoi ball to return in November 2013.
4. Treasurer Michael Johnston reported on the financial position for the year ended 31
December 2012.
a. Improved Chapter financial position due to low overheads (rent, staff) and profitable
events.
b. Nationally, as at the end of 2012, AusCham enjoyed a surplus of USD40, 000 as a
result of careful budgeting and planning.
c. Michael reported continued financial vigilance is required for the year ahead as 2013
is forecasted to be a tough year with a surplus of only USD12, 000 expected.
d. It was confirmed that USD2,000 to include AusCham as a Consortium Member of the
VBF had been budgeted for.
5. David advised the nominees for election to the Committee of the Hanoi Chapter of
AusCham:
1.
Lia Garcia Halpin – Concordia International School
2.
David Whitehead – Allied Pickfords
3.
Michael Johnston – TQCSI
4.
Kathleen Bree – International SOS
5.
Simon Taylor- Baker McKenzie
6.
Giles Cooper – Duane Morris
7.
Jamie Hills – Al Frescos Group
8.
Stephanie Ralainarivo- Santa Fe
And two new nominees
9.
Adam McDonald – InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
10.
Jason Kirwin- International School of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City Chapter:
Hanoi Chapter:
2nd Floor, Eximland Building, 179EF Cach Mang Thang Tam
Street, Ward 5, District 3, HCMC
Tel (84-8) 3832 9912/13/14 Fax (84-8) 3832 9915
Email office@auschamvn.org
Web www.auschamvn.org
Room 2707, AB Bank Building
101 Lang Ha Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Tel (84) 909 710 994
Fax (84-8) 3832 9915 (HCMC Office)
Email auschamhanoi@auschamvn.org
Web www.auschamvn.org
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VIETNAM
David asked if any objections in regard to the new board- none were given. David moved to
accept the new board, Michael seconded.
Elodie Journet (Austrade) and Angela Pickett (Embassy) to continue as Ex-Officio Members.
6. Audited financials for 2012 had been received from KPMG. David asked for any objections
to re-appoint KPMG as auditors for 2013- none were given.
7. David advised that both HCMC and Hanoi Chapter Committees had passed a resolution to
investigate the feasibility of unifying both into a single Chapter Committee. David asked
members present to accept the following:
‘This AGM agrees to empower the HCMC Chapter Committee to work collaboratively with the
Hanoi Chapter Committee to review options for improving the efficiency of the current AusCham
national and chapter management structure, including the feasibility of unifying the two current
Chapter Committees into a single Chapter Committee, and to present its recommendation to the
membership for decision at or before the next AGM.’
David moved to accept this resolution, Michael seconded and the resolution was carried.
Meeting was closed at: 7.25pm
Minutes taken by Rachael Thompson
Ho Chi Minh City Chapter:
Hanoi Chapter:
2nd Floor, Eximland Building, 179EF Cach Mang Thang Tam
Street, Ward 5, District 3, HCMC
Tel (84-8) 3832 9912/13/14 Fax (84-8) 3832 9915
Email office@auschamvn.org
Web www.auschamvn.org
Room 2707, AB Bank Building
101 Lang Ha Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Tel (84) 909 710 994
Fax (84-8) 3832 9915 (HCMC Office)
Email auschamhanoi@auschamvn.org
Web www.auschamvn.org