In 2017 FTMA Australia decided to go down the path of a full fabricator board and at the time, I was unsure if it was needed or if it would make any difference at all and there is no doubt I have been pleasantly surprised how well this worked out.
Whether it is a community group or an employer Association like FTMA Australia, having a successful effective board is essential and this has definitely been the case with FTMA. To be truthful, throughout my 11 years, I have never had an ineffective board and I/we have been very fortunate to have board members who truly care about the frame and truss sector.
Being part of the FTMA Board you can be assured you will be informed on all industry issues, be driven to make positive change for the sector and have a bit of fun along the way as the board, like FTMA, is one happy family.
This year we have seen the departure of two board members. Jennifer Dornan has commenced a job as a timber salesperson and therefore resigned to comply with our strict ‘fabricator only’ board policy and we thank Jennifer for her dedication and input in to the Association.
The other departure is our longest serving board member, John Oulton of Pine Design & Precision Frames and Trusses. John has been on the FTMA Australia Board since 2011 and has been a steadying force on the board and a great source of support for me.
John has recently sold Pine Design to Big River Timbers and as of the 1st March will no longer be involved in the frame and truss sector, so we regrettably accepted his resignation at our board meeting on the 21st February 2020.
This is where the fun part comes in, as the last board meeting was held in Healesville where we welcomed new board member Brendan Summerfield and had presentations on the Ultimate Renewable Framing campaign along with an update on the short course for Timber Systems Designers.
A handful of board members brought their partners with them and following the board meeting in Healesville we had a great night together celebrating the service to FTMA from our outgoing board member John Oulton as well as recognise the service to FTMA from Trish Waters of Profit Wise Consulting who has been with FTMA from its inception in 2007.
With the departure of Jennifer & John the FTMA Board has 7 board members which includes: Jamie Dahlsen (Dahlsens Building Centres), Christine Flanagan (Calco Trusses & Timber), Arthur Potter (Universal Trusses), Aaron Hillman (Trusscorp), Brendan Schneider (Sunbury Wallframes & Trusses), Andrew Nguyen (Timbertruss Solutions) and Brendan Summerfield (Northwest Frames & Trusses).
The board meets 4 times a year plus the AGM and their knowledge, support and passion for the frame and truss sector is outstanding.
Our next board meeting with be held in conjunction with the AFPA Black Tie Gala Event in Canberra on Wednesday 24th June. This will be a great event for the timber supply chain and we encourage sponsors and or members to join us for this special occasion.
We will send out further information shortly but if you are interested in attending a dinner in the Great Hall at Canberras Parliament House and dine with politicians from all sides of politics, please let me know. In the meantime, you can find out more information here.
