2024 Report: Public Officer

To those who don’t know me, I am Lou Szymkow, I’ve been an AMC member for some time and for the last few years, have been the NSW South Coast Regional Coordinator, an administrator on the AMC FB Groups and the author of a South Coast Newsletter that goes to celebrants Australia wide as well as overseas.

In early December 2024, I was also appointed by the Committee as the Public Officer of AMC, and in keeping with regulations, my home in Manyana is now the registered office of our association.

A Public Officer is both the official point of contact for an incorporated association and one of the authorised association signatories; and is responsible for:

• notifying Fair Trading of any reportable changes in the association ‘and its official address within 28 days though I did that on my first day.
• acting as the official contact for the association, including taking delivery of documents served on the association and bringing them to the attention of the committee as soon as practicable.
• maintaining custody of any documents as required by the Constitution
• collecting all association documents from former committee members and delivering those to the new committee members
• returning all association documents to a committee member within 14 days, upon my vacating office

From time to time, voluntary associations encounter difficulties and sadly, in 2024 we found our AMC was not immune. We endured some disruptions, and to put it bluntly, encountered questionable conduct on the part of some previous AMC Committee members which was followed by resignations. Like all Members, I received an email on Saturday, 17th August 2024, claiming that the AMC President had been deposed on 14 August, and a new Executive appointed. Alarm bells sounded among Members who asked the self-appointed new ‘Executive’ questions but answers were not forthcoming and there then were some hasty departures. The elected Presidency was restored and new committee members recruited over the following weeks.

The new Committee members were intent on restoring the AMC’s reputation and indeed, seeing it grow and prosper. I am pleased to report to you that there has been considerable, if not incredible, success.

During the process, it became evident that:

• The self-appointed committee had operated in breach of the Corporations Act, Regulations and the AMC Constitution.
• AMC corporate governance was not up to the desired or required standard and had not been for some time.
• Legal obligations to NSW Fair Trading had not been addressed for 5 years on some aspects but 9 years on a couple of others.
• Legal obligations to the ATO had not been addressed for up to 9 years but most particularly not since 2021 law changes in regard to Not For Profits (NFPs).
• the website purportedly created in early 2024 was ineffectual and costs associated with it were questionable.

So let’s look at the progress since.

1. A new Public Officer registered with Fair Trading, and a new address was registered address, immediately correcting those issues.
2. This Public Officer’s report has been added to the AGM Agenda as a first, in the spirit of open communication and so that members can be better informed on past and present activity and importantly on the dramatic progress and improvement.
3. Though as far back as 2016, it was realised that a new Constitution was needed, it was in late 2024 that a fast-acting, Constitution Sub-Committee, reviewed and rewrote the AMC Objects, Code of Conduct, and Constitution, all of which were approved by members on 8 January 2025 and were immediately were registered with Fair Trading. – thank you to the Sub-Committee and to all those who voted and supported this important, overdue and much needed step forward.
4. At the AGM, our treasurer and the President will present not just the 23/24 financial reports but there will be reports for the previous 5 years so that these can be logged into the minutes enabling the Public Officer to report those to Fair Trading finally bring that requirement for our AMC, up to date and into full compliance.
5. As Public Officer, I have negotiated with the ATO to correct records so we will soon be in full ATO compliance.
6. The failed website was closed and the new website is an entirely new build with SEO and increased functionality including online voting for Constitution and the AGM – but more is yet to come.
7. All AMC records are being migrated to one location on the new website to enable better and more convenient and compliant access for all members to AMC records, but with an offline backup for security.
8. The use of official AMC email addresses has been instigated to enhance professionalism, meet industry standards and ensure there is a record of official communication.
9. There is continued and expanded Member support through the addition of more regions and local meetings, on-line education sessions, and our social media groups. Not all members have joined these social media groups but should to gain additional support.
10. The recruiting and promoting of committee positions began well before the AGM.
11. The committee has actively began looking for opportunities for sponsorship, reduced cost and grant support as a not-for-profit association, and so identifying financial and administrative opportunities for building a healthier and stronger AMC
12. The committee is investigating the introduction of Celebrant Industry Awards to promote Australian Celebrants.
13. Opportunities are being acted upon to better promote AMC Celebrants, not only nationwide but internationally to make Australia, with AMC members, a more sought-after wedding destination.
14. This AGM , though postponed, was called at an appropriate time that ensured proper compliance while seeking a new cohesive, energetic and active Committee for the benefit of all AMC Members.

So much has been achieved in a very short time, giving the new 2025 committee a clean slate and solid foundation to continue the momentum.

So much more can yet be achieved with your support, involvement and action.

AMC needs to be vibrant, forward thinking, communicative and strategic to revitalise its value to Members and to the marrying public.

Every Member, each one of you, has of course, personal demands including operating your own small business, involvement with your families and friends, as well as keeping up with other personal interests and challenges, and so I know that volunteering can be a personal challenge but …

• this is YOUR Association!
• this is Your committee.
• Our AMC Committee is made up of volunteers from among YOU.

If you have skills in a particular area, let it be known.

We can use your help, your ideas and your assistance.

Be positive and proactive. We can do this together.

Australian Civil Marriage Celebrants Association started back in 1993/94 but was incorporated on 20th July 1995, then in 2009, rebadged as Australian Marriage Celebrants Inc – or AMC and all that means is that even though we should have celebrated a 2023/2024 landmark, this year 2025, is our 30th anniversary of incorporation.

Together, let’s make it the best year yet.