ADEA members to gain clearer rights and stronger voice under proposed Constitution changes
ADEA members would gain clearer membership rights, improved opportunities to influence organisational decisions and more accessible ways to raise concerns if proposed changes to the organisation’s Constitution are approved.
The changes were outlined on 11 November during ADEA’s second webinar for members about the proposed constitutional amendments, ahead of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday 28 November.
ADEA Governance Committee Chair Ruth Feltoe said the proposed changes would clarify membership categories, eligibility requirements, application and nomination processes, membership fees and the circumstances in which membership may cease.
The changes would also clarify what members can expect from the Board and how they can participate in organisational decisions.
Ms Feltoe said another gap in the existing Constitution was the absence of a clear dispute resolution process. Without such provisions, she said, litigation had effectively been the only available option. The proposed changes would introduce a formal process for resolving disputes.
Other changes would improve how general meetings operate and make it easier for members to raise issues. These include clearer provisions around meeting notices, voting, the use of technology and members' ability to request a meeting.
The chair would also be required to provide members with a reasonable opportunity to ask questions and make comments. The proposed changes would remove the chair's casting vote, meaning a tied vote would result in a resolution not being passed.
Ms Feltoe encouraged members to consider how the proposed Constitution would clarify their rights, obligations and entitlements and allow the organisation to adapt as it grows.
ADEA President Ann Bush said the proposed changes would modernise the organisation’s Constitution and provide a clearer framework for its future, without affecting members' clinical practice.
"Our clinical work, day-to-day clinical work is not going to be affected by these changes at all," Ms Bush said.
"We've heard you, the board's heard you, ADEA management's heard you."
Ms Bush also emphasised the importance of transparency and making it easier for members to access information and engage with the organisation.
The Constitution review follows changes to Diabetes Australia's Constitution, approved by its members in July 2026, which ended the unification arrangements with ADEA and the Australian Diabetes Society.
ADEA's proposed constitutional amendments would remove provisions relating to the former unification with Diabetes Australia and reflect its new governance arrangements.
The end of unification also presents opportunities for ADEA to strengthen its independent voice and build relationships with other organisations across the diabetes sector.
Ms Bush said ADEA was already collaborating with state-based diabetes organisations and would continue working closely with Diabetes Australia.
"I don't think it's going to affect our standing in a negative way," she said.
"It's only going to build us up as a strong independent organisation that is very much focused on our members and providing quality gold standard diabetes education and support to people living with diabetes."
ADEA Vice President Dr Shannon Lin reinforced that ADEA would remain a member-based organisation, with members at the centre of its work and the organisation continuing to represent the national diabetes education workforce.
The AGM will be held online at 10 am AEDT on Saturday 28 November, with financial Full Members (Bronze) eligible to vote on the proposed constitutional amendments. All members are welcome to attend.
The official AGM notice, sent to members on 6 November, contains the proposed changes, explanatory notes and voting instructions. Questions can be directed to agm@adea.com.au.
