Family Forums are planned to be held in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie in August (see details below). The merger will also be discussed at our regular Consumer Forums in August, facilitated by Speakout Advocacy.
The consultations follow a Special General Meetings of OAK Tasmania and Possability in July, where members unanimously approved the merger.
A new Board of governance has been created which includes four members from the OAK Board and four from the Possability Board, with former OAK Tasmania CEO, John Paton, taking on the leadership role of Executive Chairman. This Board met for the first time on Monday 25th July.
Drew Beswick is now CEO of OAK Tasmania as well as Possability and is greatly looking forward to getting to know the OAK clients and families.
Drew said that from the beginning, the Board and management have been guided by the important principle that the merger must benefit clients and employees.
“We would like to reassure you that while we work to bring the two organisations together, it is still very much business as usual.
“We will maintain our focus on providing clients with quality services that are responsive to your individual needs,” he said.
Client benefits will include:
- a wider range of program options
- a stronger Practice Development and Case Management team to support and mentor clients
- an increased ability to deliver a variety of new and innovative programs tailored to client demand
- greater set of staff skills, experience and knowledge to deliver services
- efficiencies and synergies that enable more resources to more directed to client services.
Three Family Forums are planned in coming weeks:
Hobart
Wed 10 August, 12.30 pm: Possability office, Ground Floor, 175 Collins Street.
Lunch will be provided.
Burnie
Mon 15 August, 3.00 pm: Common Room, 2 Mussen Close, Shorewell
Afternoon tea will be provided.
Launceston
Tues 16 August, 3.00 pm: Possability office, 3 Archer Street, Rocherlea
Afternoon tea will be provided.
To help us with our catering, please RSVP if you will be attending one of these forums by emailing admin@possability.com.au or calling 1300 067 842.
Image (above): Board members Dr. Gordon Brown, John Paton and Brian Scullin with CEO, Drew Beswick (2nd from right).