The diagram below shows TAS' structure at June 1999:
As at the 30th June 1999 TAS had 76 financial members who are drawn from a wide range of individuals and community organisations. TAS membership is comprised of:
TAS' 1998/99 Executive Committee comprised a range of organisational and individual representatives. Executive Committee members are elected from the membership of TAS.
Once again TAS' success throughout the year has been made possible by the significant volunteer contribution of the members who make up the Executive Committee.
TAS continues to benefit from its team of skilled, energetic and committed workers.
During 1998/99 TAS employed a full-time Coordinator, a full-time Tenant Advocate, a full-time Solicitor, and a full-time Community Legal Education Worker. An Administrator and Administrative Assistant were also employed under differing arrangements throughout the year. The positions have been filled under the current arrangement of a part-time Administrator (25 hours per week) and full-time Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. The changes followed worker resignations and the fact that TAS has had insufficient administrative resources for several years.
The ongoing lack of funding for administrative support is an ongoing issue for TAS in relation to staffing levels is. This is compounded by increased accountability requirements from funding bodies.
The changes to the administrative area are indicative of TAS' efforts to maximise these resources through taking the opportunity to revise the arrangements when they arise. We are pleased to note that the current arrangements have been operating since February/March 1999, are working well and appear to be best use of our limited resources in this area.
Workers in 1998/99 (i.e. permanent, relief and casual workers) included in order of date of appointment:
Pauline Logan - Coordinator (on long service and annual leave July - Dec 1998)
Joanne Walsh - Tenant Advocate
Shirley Southgate - Solicitor and Part-time Acting Coordinator (July - Dec 1998)
Lanie Chopping - Community Legal Education Worker
Sarah Sheehy - Administrative Assistant
Peter O'Dea - Relief Tenant Advocate
Val Hazell - Administrator
Esther Shortland - Acting Coordinator (July - Nov 1998)
Leanne Barron - Acting Coordinator (July - Nov 1998)
Marlene Eid - Administrative Assistant
Penelope Kirk - Administrator
Rebecca Smith - Receptionist Administrative Assistant
Matthew Walsh - Casual Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Valesini - Casual Tenant Advocate
Jackie Easter - Relief Solicitor
Candy Martin - Casual Administrative Assistant
Rodney Campbell - Casual Administrative Assistant
The 1998/99 year began with Pauline Logan taking her much deserved long service leave after more than 7 years of service with TAS. Arrangements were made to fill the Coordinator's position with three acting positions:
Shirley Southgate continued her position as Solicitor, but with a reduced caseload, in order to take on the Acting Coordinator position with responsibility for direct service, staffing, and policy and liaison work on a day to day basis. Peter O'Dea was employed as a part-time Tenant Advocate to back fill while Shirley undertook Coordinator duties.
Leanne Barron worked up to 15 hours per week with responsibility for accountability reporting, policy work and some staff supervision.
Esther Shortland worked up to 7 hours per week, with responsibility for financial administration, and some staff supervision.
Nic Mayhew was engaged to design and develop a Web Page for TAS. This work is continuing into 199/00.
Norah Hosken was engaged /99 to undertake an evaluation of TAS telephone advice lines and publications.
Jane Fenwick, of Zebra Art, was engaged to assist in the design and production of some of TAS' publications.
Rona Chadwick was engaged to produce a number of tenancy and training cartoons for TAS. These appear throughout this report.
TAS relies on the voluntary contribution of time, energy and expertise by members of the Executive Committee, for the ongoing management of the service.
Students are also an important volunteer source for TAS. During 1998/99, TAS benefited from the volunteer services of Elizabeth Purser and Andre Georges , Social Work students from Curtin University. This volunteer contribution is both valuable and significant for TAS. Elizabeth and Andre have provided feedback that the placements were also valuable and enjoyable for them.