AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES INCORPORATED

1 O t h B I E N N I A L G E N E R A L M E E T I N G Apri l 16, 1997

Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne

AGENDA 1. APOLOGIES 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - SEPTEMBER 1995

3. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 4. FINANCIAL REPORT 5. REPORT -AUSTRALIAN MIDWIFERY SCHOLARSHIP F O U N D A T I O N 6. CONFERRING OF LIFE MEMBERSHIP

7. I N C O M I N G EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 8. DATE & VENUE OF THE NEXT BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETING,

SEPTEMBER 1999, HOBART, TASMANIA

MINUTES OF THE 9th BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETING 14 S e p t e m b e r 1995

C o n v e n t i o n Centre , D a r l i n g H a r b o u r , S y d n e y

The President, Judi Brown declared the meeting open at 1050 hours and extended a warm welcome to all present.

Present Members present as per attendance book

1. Apologies H Hancock (SA), G Stamp (SA), C Thorogood (WA), C Thompson (Vic).

2. Minutes 2.1 8th Biennial General Meeting 16 September 1993, Adelaide It was agreed that the minutes of the 8th Biennial General Meeting held 16 September 1993 as published in the ACM Journal June 1995, be signed as a correct record of the proceedings. .1 Thompson (WA) moved, A Grieve (NSW) seconded. Carried.

2.2 Extraordinary General Meeting 7 July 1994, Radisson Hotel Melbourne It was agreed that the minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting held 7 July 1994 as published in the ACM Journal September 1995, be signed as a correct record of the proceedings. J Thompson (WA) moved, N Cook (Vic) seconded. Carried.

2.3 Extraordinary General Meeting 17 March 1995, Palm Lake Hotel, Melbourne It was agreed that the minutes of the Extraordinary

General Meeting held 17 March 1995 as published in the ACM Journal, September 1995 be signed as a correct record of the proceedings. J Thompson (WA) moved, A Grieve (NSW) seconded. Carried.

3. President's Report The President tabled and spoke to her report of activities during the period 1993-95. The Executive Officer and members of the Executive Committee were thanked for their support and ff)r the work they had undertaken on behalf of the College. Major achievements over the past two years were outlined. The Strategic Action Plan had been implemented, a corporate business plan developed and a Financial Advisory Committee established. The President noted that the first phase of a system of gaining professional recognition for continuing education in midwifery had been initiated, the second draft of the midwifery competencies had been completed, and a national network to promote midwifery research had been organised. Modules for continuing education and postgraduate studies in midwifery had been developed in response to a demand. Strategies were being implemented to increase enrolments. The College had recently joined with the medical colleges to undertake an assessment of the educational needs of health care professionals in the Pacific Island countries. Joint honorary editors had been appointed earlier this year to oversee the publication of the

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AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES INCORPORATED

Journal. The draft Code of Ethics published in the ACM Journal June 1995 had been adopted by the Executive Committee subject to the approval of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). The College's submission to manage the Baby Friendly Initiative in Australia had been successful. Ongoing activities included the work undertaken in relation to the accreditation of independently practising midwives, the policy and education committees, meetings with key personnel from other professional Colleges, and representation on the Joint Committee on Maternity Services.

Forty-one members had been recognised for their significant contribution to midwifery and inducted as Fellows of the College at the inaugural Fellowship Oration and Ceremony. The three founding members Margaret Peters, Jenifer Cooling and Pamela Hayes were also conferred as Distinguished Fellows.

The President had attended ICM Council and regional meetings in the capacity of Asia Pacific representative and had endeavoured to strengthen midwifery in the region. Most of the filming for a documentary demonstrating midwifery practice in different countries had been completed. A promotional video of the documentary 'A Celebration of Birth' was then shown. The President moved that the report be accepted. Seconded M. Peters (Vic).

M. Peters (Vic) proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing President for the strong leadership that she had demonstrated during her terms of office.

Life Membership

The President advised that a certificate had been prepared for each of the four ACM life members, M. Porter, I. Love, B. Lawson and J. Cooling, who were not given one at the time that the honour was conferred. Miss Betty Lawson was present to receive her certificate. Life membership of the College was then bestowed upon Margaret Helen Peters and Pamela Moira Hayes in recognition of their services to midwifery.

4. Financial reoort 1993-9~

The audited financial statements for 1993-94 were accepted by the Executive and published in the ACM Journal June 1995. The interim Treasurer E. Smallbane (Tas) tabled and spoke to the 1994-95 financial statements relating to the General, Distance Education and Scholarship Accounts. A small surplus had been achieved in the General Account but it was likely that the distance education grant would be expended within twelve months. The Financial Advisory Committee had provided advice on a regular basis. The Treasurer moved acceptance of the financial report. Seconded B. Clarke (NT). Carried.

4.1 Capitation fee 1996-98

The Treasurer spoke in support of a recommendation from the Executive Committee that the capitation fee should be raised to $55.00 per annum for the two-year period 1996-98. Members had requested that the fee be set on a two yearly rather than annual basis. Motion That the capitation fee for 1996-98 be set at $55.00 per member. The Treasurer moved, S. Braybrook (Vic) seconded. Carried.

5. Repor t - Aus t r a l i an Midwifery S c h o l a r s h i n Foundat ion (AMSF) 199_~-95

The AMSF Secretary C. Wong (ACT) tabled and spoke to a report of the activities of the Foundation. The Financial Advisory Committee had provided advice to the Foundation. Criteria for awarding scholarships had been reviewed. The monies available for disbursement as scholarships during the period 1993-95 was limited to the interest received on the corpus. The AMSF Secretary moved acceptance of the report. Seconded J. Thompson (WA). Carried.

6. Reoort Re2istrar for Accred i ta t ion o f In d ep en d en t ly Practisintz Midwives

The Registrar J Brown (SA) tabled and spoke to a report of the work undertaken by the Registrar's Panel in South Australia. Seventy-five midwives have been accredited of whom 26 have now been re-accredited for a further period of three years. Current membership of the Panel and procedures followed by it were outlined. The Registrar foreshadowed future changes in the administrative procedures associated with the process of accrediting independently practising midwives. The Registrar moved that the report be accepted. Seconded K. Coyle (WA). Carried.

7. Pos i t ion Statements

The Policy Committee Chairperson E Smallbane (Tas) advised that a number of position statements had been published in the June 1995 edition of the ACM Journal. The position statements had been accepted with minor amendments and ratified at the June 1995 Executive Committee meeting. The amendments were brought to the notice of members.

J. Hall (Vic) sought clarification of the term pre- registration in relation to midwifery education (position statement 2.2.0). M. Peters (Vic) responded and asked that the term should be retained as it is now used internationally in preference to direct entry.

J. D'Elmaine requested that the word independent be retained in position statements 3.4.0 and 3.5.0. A. Grieve confirmed a typographical error and stated that

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AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES INCORPORATED

the word independent would remain. Another member P. Bennett (NSW) suggested that client should be replaced by woman.

M. Lantry (NSW) asked members to consider whether position statement 7.1.0 should include a statement that would exclude a company that markets breast milk substitutes from participating in trade displays. She recommended that a statement to guide conference committees should be developed.

8. Executive Committee 1995-97

The President introduced the Branch Delegates for 1995-97:

President Diane Cutts (Vic) Vice-President Elaine Smallbane (Tas) Secretary Chin Wong (ACT) Treasurer Moyra Lewis (SA) Committee Members Betty Clarke (NT)

Karen Coyle (WA) Ann Grieve (NSW) Caroline Weaver (Qld)

The President then passed the chain of office to the incoming President. D. Cutts (Vic) proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing President J. Brown (SA) and Secretary J. Thompson (WA) for their commitment to midwifery and the College.

9. Other Business

M Peters (Vic) sought and was granted leave to move a motion.

Motion That within the next two-year period the College undertake a complete review of the constitution and manner in which the College functions, and furthermore that a change from incorporation to company status be considered. M. Peters (Vic) moved, seconded C. Hastie (Qld). Carried.

10. Date and Venue for the 10th Biennia l Genera l Meetin~

The meeting was advised that the next Biennial General Meeting would be held in conjunction with the ACM Biennial Conference 16-18 April Melbourne 1997. Date and venue to be notified. The President closed the meeting at 1220 hours.

Signed: President

Date:

ACMI PHILOSOPHY & POSITION STATEMENTS

5 .0 .0 . M i d w i f e r y & t h e C o m m u n i t y

5 . 5 . 0 . I n f a n t F e e d i n g

The Australian College of Midwives believes that breast milk is the food of choice for infants in the first year of life.

It is the Midwife's responsibility to maintain a level of skill and knowledge sufficient to promote breast feeding and to provide professional support and guidance for breast feeding mothers.

The Australian College of Midwives acknowledges the woman's individual right to choose the method of feeding her infant.

The College recognises that this choice is sometimes constrained by medical considerations.

It is the Midwife's responsibility to maintain a level of skill and knowledge sufficient to provide professional support and guidance to mothers who choose to use breast milk substitutes.

5 .0 .0 . M i d w i f e r y & t h e C o m m u n i t y

5 . 6 . 0 . C o n s u m e r C o n s u l t a t i o n

The Australian College of Midwives believes that:

�9 consumer consultation is necessary when projects which directly affect the community are undertaken.

�9 at national, state and local level the College will seek consumer presentation when planning for such projects.

3 . 0 . 0 . M i d w i f e r y P r a c t i c e

3 . 8 . 0 . C o n t i n u o u s E l e c t r o n i c F e t a l

H e a r t R a t e M o n i t o r i n g

"ACM does not support the routine use of Continuous Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring during normal labour and birth.

However, every practising midwife has the responsibility of maintaining current knowledge of its principles, interpretation and significance.

ACM also recognises that there is a place for Continuous Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring in complicated labours."

Developed July 1996.

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