AMTIL will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 27 October, and this year for the first time it will be held online.
The decision to hold a virtual AGM was brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, and the significant possibility that social distancing restrictions may still be in place in October. However, as AMTIL Events Manager Kim Banks explains, the switch to an online meeting does also create new opportunities for the AGM.
“The AGM is always one of the biggest events in the AMTIL calendar, so it’s disappointing that we won’t be holding it as a social gathering this year,” says Banks. “However, like other organisations, AMTIL has adapted as a result of COVID-19, and our online events such as the Power Brokers Virtual Meetings have been a real success. And obviously you don’t have to travel to participate in online event, so it means a more inclusive event with more AMTIL members from across Australia able to take part.”And obviously you don’t have to travel to participate in online events, so it means a more inclusive event with more AMTIL members from across Australia able to take part.”
As well as the usual association business that takes place at the AGM, AMTIL has booked keynote speaker Mike Rolls, who will be giving a special presentation on resilience in the face of adversity.
In September 2001, aged just 18, Mike contracted one of the deadliest diseases on the planet, meningococcal septicemia. His chances of survival were as little as 5%, and the infection left him with horrific internal and external injuries, including the amputation of both his legs. Mike spent six months in hospital, and was told it could take years to perform even the most basic tasks, such as walking and driving.
Mike’s journey back to health was aided by a positive outlook, an adaptive mindset and a conscious decision to embrace challenge and change. His accomplishments as a double amputee include running again after many years, representing Australia in golf, climbing one of Australia’s tallest buildings, and supporting other amputees facing similar circumstances.
Mike’s method of building resilience by ‘Ditching the Dead Weight’ is simple yet effective – what can we take away from our life in order to improve it? Mike believes we are all far more powerful than we can ever imagine and must never underestimate our capabilities – a timely message for all of us as we face the continuing challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.
The AGM will be held via the Zoom video conferencing platform from 11.00am (Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra time) on 27 October, with registration details to be released shortly. For up-to-date information on AMTIL’s AGM, as well as our Virtual Meeting webinar series, please visit the Events page of the AMTIL website, at: