Victoria Emergency Service Association - How It Works and Where You Fit In

The Victorian Emergency Service Association. Inc was formed in 1983 with the objective of providing a focus for representing the views of VICSES Volunteers on issues which affect them. Over time, VESA has establised a good working relationship with VICSES and the many sectors of Government which we deal with,not the least of which is the Department of Justice and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. In short, VESA has the ability to strongly voice the opinion of the volunteers and where, when necessary, to the benefit of all the Volunteers of VICSES, where the action of a single Volunteer or small group would be ineffectual

VESA's role Vesa's role is to represent the views of the VICSES Volunteers to the CEO, VICSES Management and the VICSES Authority Board on all matters affecting the volunteers and the way in which we serve our communities. VESA has a role in volunteer advocacy, in which we ensure that the Volunteer has the opportunity to be heard fairly in matters of dispute with the Service. VESA does not, however, take any active part in dispute mediation or legal representation in such matters. VESA Structure The structure of VESA has recently been streamlined in order to actively involve the Regional Councils in presenting local issues affecting their unit and Volunteer members directly to their Regional Manager. This will enable most local issues to be dealt with directly by those most affected by it and to rectify the issue. By reporting to the State Board, the regional Councils, via their elected Directors, minutes of meetings and reports will be able to keep the State Board informed of those issues so that the board can monitor and recocnise any wide ranging issues as they develop and present them to the respective VICSES Management stream for resolution

Unit Delegate Each member Unit of VESA elects two delegates who convey the thoughts and feelings of their Unit and it's members to the Regional Council. The time spent on this important duty can be as much as the Delegate wants to put in or as little as the Delegate needs to. Each Unit is different and the Units’ Delegates will need to put in the effort that their Unit expects from them. It is a responsible position but not an overly onerous or laborious one. Regional Council Each Regional Council is formed by the elected Delegates of the Units from within that region and is charged with addressing those local issues with their respective VICSES Regional Manager and reporting those issues and the outcomes to the respective Units and the VESA State Board. The Regional Councils may also lobby the VESA State Board for formulation of policy on issues they perceive need to be addressed affecting a number of Regions to further advocate an outcome with the CEO or VICSES Board for action. Board Director Each Regional Council elects from among their Unit Delegates, a Director and an Alternate Director to represent their region on the State Board. The Alternate Director acts for the Director should they be unable to attend the Board meetings or other functions from time to time. The Regional Council also elects a Regional President, Secretary and Treasurer, who with the help of the Director and Alternate manage the functions of the Regional Council. State Board The VESA State Board was formed in April, 2008 as an Interim Board to oversee the transition to the new Board structure. The change to a Board structure was recommended in the Organisational Review undertaken by VESA in 2006-2007 and laid down in the re-writing of the VESA Constitution which was accepted by motion at a Special General Meeting in August, 2007. At the Annual General Meeting held in June, 2008, the new VESA State Board structure was accepted, by resolution of that meeting, and came into being. State Board Officers The Regional Directors make up the VESA State Board and elect from among their number a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The whole Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the Association and represents the members to the CEO, VICSES Management and the VICSES Board, as well as the various Government Departments and Ministers. VESA VESA is an association of volunteers and not a Union. VESA will not encourage Volunteers to take direct action against any group or body should that action be deemed inappropriate. VESA will represent the Volunteers, and strive to achieve the best possible outcome for VICSES Volunteers and their welfare.