APTLD Secretariat Report
Bangkok Meeting: November 2006

Current work

Since the Hong Kong meeting in June 2006, the work of the Secretariat has primarily focused on assisting the new General Manager, Don Hollander, to settle into his role. I would like to record the Secretariat’s impression of Don as a capable, professional and hard-working individual who is a pleasure to work with.

I also note the Secretariat’s deepest condolences for Peter Dengate Thrush, whose sudden family bereavements immediately following the Hong Kong meeting came as a profound shock.

Aside from the new GM handover, other activity has included:

• Follow up from APTLD Hong Kong – the Secretariat prepared minutes of meetings, paid the bills etc.

• Preparing for APTLD Bangkok – much of the work in terms of venue arrangements has been completed by the GM. The Secretariat has focused on dealing with registrations through the website, processing sponsorship applications and preparing the papers pack.

• Auditing of 2005 Year Accounts – The auditors have had the accounts for some time but there has been a delay in their presentation. At the date of writing this report the audited accounts were still not available.

• Requesting choice of membership fees bands for 2006 – membership fees have flowed less quickly than desired, but the GM has followed up with many members. After this meeting, the Secretariat will commence contact with all members regarding the 2007 Membership Fees, and will invoice after the New Year break, with follow up contact by Secretariat and GM to bring membership fee revenue in as soon as possible in the New Year.

Future work

The transition caused by the appointment of a General Manager is still under way. InternetNZ as hosts of the Secretariat would be pleased to continue hosting the Secretariat, acknowledging the changes that arise from the GM’s role mean that the role – and consequently the cost – of the Secretariat operation is reduced. A separate paper on this matter is included for consideration.

The initial two year contract comes to an end on 31 December 2006, and regardless of what happens in future, I would like on behalf of InternetNZ’s Council and Staff to thank the Chair, Board and Members of APTLD for the opportunity to serve the Association over the past two years in the Secretariat role. It has been our pleasure to help support the development of APTLD and we look forward to seeing more successes in the future.

As always, if you have any queries, suggestions, feedback for the Secretariat, please do let us know. We are always happy to help!

Jordan Carter

Secretariat Manager

8 November 2006 - sec@aptld.org