REQUEST FOR YOUR FEEDBACK

Kia ora to all CATE Members. As an organisation that is responsive to members we are seeking your feedback on a couple of important issues.

The first is from Dr. Lynette Reid who is seeking feedback from members regarding careers and senior leadership. The survey is a follow-up to the successful career transitions research. In particular, the finding related to the role of senior leadership in supporting successful career transitions. This has been a common finding across other research on careers transitions in schools. The research is being conducted by Lynette, with support from EPIT. EPIT has also moderated the survey under their organisation's ethics processes.

The survey will be completed via Survey Monkey and does not contain details that will identify the participant, unless they wish to be contacted about the survey, which is an option in the survey. The questions have been drawn from the works of Professor Tristram Hooley, and his co-researchers.

Please follow this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/careersleadership to complete the survey. It should only take 5-10 minutes to complete.

The second survey we are requesting feedback on relates to membership fees. Last year at our national conference, a motion was passed at the Annual General Meeting regarding increasing the National CATE fee. This was in response to the overwhelming support for continued funding for the Kaiārahi role in an uncertain environment with our Network of Expertise funding. These changes were circulated through newsletters and Regional Executive Representatives to highlight the proposed changes from September to the meeting in November. Prior to the conference we had very little feedback and after a robust discussion, the motion was passed.

The funding formula we used to calculate the fee increase was to compare other like organisations to set our fee. These were:
Aotearoa Foundation Skills and Pathways Association—$150
CDANZ New Members—$546.25, Annual Membership $316.25

We believed the increase was proportional to what other like associations were charging. We have since received feedback from members who had not been aware of the changes at their surprise and in some cases dismay at the increase.

Through good financial management of our previous Kaiārahi and Treasurer, we have been able to secure the position of Kaiārahi until the end of 2025. Moving forward and future proofing our association however, does require fiscal management as there is even greater uncertainty of future Network of Expertise funding after the announcement of the strategic priorities in education from our current government.

After receiving feedback that some members did not feel they had an opportunity to provide options, we would like to give the membership the opportunity to look at 3 different options for membership fees moving forward. These options have been tabled after reviewing other subject associations and what they charge. We have not looked at full subsidies due to those organisations using NEX funding (and expect those fees to rise in coming years). We have settled on options that reflect the broad range available. There are pros and cons to each, hence why we ask for your feedback.

The options are as follows:

1. Reduced member fee to $50+gst. This option is the break even point for the funding and operation of the National Executive Committee. However there would be no further funding for a Kaiarahi role or support with other initiatives (such as New Careers Adviser Workshops, Regional Professional Development grants, Gateway Conference, newsletters etc). This means all professional development, resourcing, (save an annual conference) would be at a regional association cost.
    
2. Current National Membership fee of $130+gst. This fee would be per member and allows full funding for the Kaiarahi role, as well as continued initiatives already in place (some listed above). This fee also allows for the development of new initiatives that regions may wish to develop and propose to the National Executive Committee. This fee is in line with other subject association averages.
    
3. An individual membership fee of $130+gst OR an institution/organisation fee of $500+gst (whichever is cheaper). This model is the current model used by the Physical Education Subject Association, and administratively speaking is better than trying to work out individual fees for different sized schools (as is another option we did not explore as a voluntary organisation). 
   This allows for schools to pay the cheaper option of 1-3 members (at $130+gst per member), or institutions who would like MORE than 3 members would pay just the one set fee of $500+gst. 
   This allows for schools to include Senior Management as members, or those with larger teams to pay one fee for all members (members would still have to register individually to receive newsletters etc). This also allows for more certainty around budgets etc.
   This structure would still allow for the funding of the Kaiarahi role, and current initiatives. This would also increase membership numbers (which can impact positively on further requests for funding), and a way to bring senior management on board. 
    

1. Other. If you have other suggestions, please make a note for the Executive to consider.

Please use this link to have your say in future funding of CATE https://forms.gle/t7g7mnW88Whmtx667 

As a note, any changes to the current fee structure of CATE will need to be submitted as a remit to our AGM in Dunedin this year. The deadline for this survey so we can present the remit to members is Wednesday 19th June.

Thank you for your continued support of the work we do as your National Executive. There are a number of exciting announcements to be made over the coming months in our careers space, and a meeting with our Minister to discuss how careers is embedded throughout her education learning priorities. I look forward to reporting back to you on these future developments.

Craig Dyason
President CATE.