New Zealand Treecrops Association

President's Report - 2003 AGM

President's Report for the year 2002

I am pleased to present my second (and last) report as President of NZTCA.

Over the past year we have seen a number of developments which are helping to strengthen the organisation. Our first Strategic Plan has been published. It sets our direction for the next few years and it provides a helpful framework for planning at national and branch level. We have established our website, and it continues to evolve to meet the needs of members. A recently established "member only" facility is resulting in increasing dialogue among members across the country. My thanks to Les for the excellent work he is doing.

Our research efforts continue to develop under Roy's leadership. I wish to acknowledge Roy's achievements in a wide range of crops, and his skill in securing external funding (via AGMART and the Sustainable Farming Fund) to support research activity relating to Olives, Pistachios and Chestnuts. Roy has now been joined by David Klinac as our second research officer, which I am sure will help to strengthen the Association's role in cutting edge research.

National research activity is being complemented by a number of exciting branch research projects - guava moth, walnut blight, plums, figs, and more recently heritage apples, to name a few.

One area of research that I would like to see strengthened is the co-ordination of national and local research. To this end, branches are being asked (via the Strategic Plan) to identify a branch research co-ordinator who will form part of a national network of members able to share and disseminate information more efficiently than at present.

Another very recent and exciting development is the establishment of the Branch Innovations Fund. This is designed to provide funding support for local research and community initiatives. The fund is an acknowledgment of the wonderful work of branches in promoting the objectives of the Association, particularly in promoting the benefits of tree cropping for the environment. To further assist branches, Management Committee has proposed a small increase in the branch capitation grant for this year and for each of the next two years.

Of course there are a number of challenges for the Association as we look ahead. At best membership numbers have remained static, although it is pleasing to see that our website is proving to be a fertile ground for attracting new members. And a few of our smaller branches struggle to recruit people to stand for office on branch committees. Another important challenge is to improve our funding base without having to increase our subscription rate. External funding for research, R and D donations from members and from branches, advertising in the Tree Cropper (yes, that needs to be addressed!), and sales from publications, all contribute (or have the potential to contribute) to our income, enabling us to achieve so much as an organisation.

I would like to thank branches for their support, energy and commitment over the past year. The quality and range of activity within branches is very impressive. I also wish to thank those of you who have recently agreed to take up positions at branch and national level. The calibre and quality of these people is outstanding. Thanks John and Rosemary for agreeing to share the roles of technical editor and publications officer. And I must also make a special mention of those of you who stood down from their positions during the year after many years of quality service - Judy and Gail, you have given so much value to the Association.

Finally, on behalf of you all, I wish to thank the key office holders of the Association. Diana and Jim, for clocking up the miles in support of branch activity, and for your persistence, passion and advocacy for tree cropping issues affecting our members. Hazel as Patron of the NZTCA. Linda, for your work as National Treasurer, a role you have adopted with the minimum of fuss or difficulty; Edward, for carrying out the Association's secretarial duties so well, despite your initial misgivings, and Mary for your work as membership secretary which has been quite outstanding. And I must also express my appreciation for Glenys's work as Tree Cropper editor. The quality of our journal has steadily improved as a result of your good efforts.

I have enjoyed my time on the National Committee. I have learned a lot about human nature and the dynamics of working with people that have very different perceptions about what makes for a successful team. I have also learned a lot about tree cropping, and shared with so many of you the joy and challenge of working with nature. And I have made some enduring friendships. What more can you ask for!

I wish the organising committee a very successful conference and all of you a productive and rewarding year.

Ray Hollis

http://www.treecrops.org.nz/bydate/nat2003/presrep03.html
Created: Friday, 13 June 2003 - Updated: 2007 August 11