[Osia-members] OSIA December update #2

[Jack Burton]

Afternoon, all.

This will be the final OSIA update for 2015, so I'd like to take this
opportunity to wish all members a very merry Christmas and a happy &
prosperous new year.

The board asks that, at some point over the summer break, members take
a little time out consider the question "What can OSIA do for you in
2016?". Comments are welcome either on this list, or off-list to me or
any other current board member. All board members and their OSIA mail
addresses are listed on the OSIA website at:
http://osia.com.au/drupal7/corporate-documents/osia-board-members

** Review of the strategic plan **

The board is currently reviewing the OSIA strategic plan, the current
iteration of which was published in November 2013. See:
http://osia.com.au/drupal7/corporate-documents/osia-strategic-plan

Members are welcome to comment on the current plan and its suitability
or otherwise for the future. Please send your comments off-list to
Jessica Field (OSIA Director, Communications) <comms at osia.com.au>.

** Department of Finance paper on shared services **

OSIA is currently working on a response to the Commonwealth Department
of Finance's discussion paper on "standardising, consolidating and
automating back-office services" -- see here:
http://www.themandarin.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/DiscussionPaper_Shared-and-Common-Services_December-2015.pdf

Any members wanting to contribute to the OSIA response (or even just to
share views on the paper) are encouraged to contact Aimee Maree
Forsstrom [OSIA Director, Public Policy (Domestic)]
<policy at osia.com.au> directly.

** Trans Pacific Partnership **

The board extends a big welcome to Mark Phillips, the newest member of
the OSIA TPP Committee.

Whilst there has been somewhat of a hiatus on this front since the last
update, there remains a lot of work ahead of us and the TPP Committee
still needs your help. Any other OSIA members with a keen interest in
saving Australia from TPP and the time & capacity to help us achieve
that end are urged to volunteer to join the TPP Committee -- to do so,
please contact me off-list.

** Member referral service **

There has been a slight further delay in the launch of the first
limited beta trial of the OSIA member referral service. Nevertheless,
we still envisage that the trial of the service will commence on or
before New Year's Eve.

Paul Foxworthy (OSIA Director, Member Services) will post an
announcement to this list seeking expressions of interest within the
next week or two, so stay tuned for more information.

** Board meetings **

The board met by teleconference last Saturday (12 Dec) and will next
meet on Mon 11 Jan (again by teleconference).

As always, OSIA members are encouraged to bring any pertinent matters
(and indeed your views on them) to the attention of the Board, either
on this list or by contacting any of us directly.

Regards,


Jack Burton
<jack at saosce.com.au>