Minutes of AFPA Annual General Meeting
18th Oct 2023
Kingswood Hotel, Citywest, Dublin.
Executive Committee:
Shane McMunn: Chairperson
Bernie Doyle: Treasurer
Keith Dowling: Chair of Membership
Marianne Cunningham: Lay Representative
Helen Falvey: Chair of Communications & ETCMA representative
Fernanda Betti Solano: Chair of Events
- WELCOME AND OPENING BY CHAIRPERSON
Chairperson Shane McMunn welcomed everyone and opened the 2023 AGM. - STANDING ORDERS
Bernie Doyle read out the standing orders in full. - APOLOGIES
Chairperson Shane McMunn read out apologies from Carol Kenny and Marianna Cunningham. - MINUTES OF THE 2022 AGM
Minutes from the 2022 AGM have been available on the website and at the AGM meeting. There were no matters arising or matters of accuracy and they were duly
Proposed: Caroline McHugh
Seconded: Heather Martin - CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Chairperson Shane McMunn presented his report outlining the growth of the association, the need for volunteers for the Executive Committee and the proposed co-operation with the ACI. Shane also announced the change in the renewal date for membership to align with insurance renewal dates.
Shane detailed co-operation with the ACI at several events during the year, in working groups (to investigate the potential for change in blood donation requirements, VAT exemption for acupuncture treatments and CORU membership/acceptance) and the upcoming ETCMA General Assembly to be held in Dublin in 2025. - TREASURY REPORT
The treasury report was presented by Bernie Doyle. Copies of the report were available at the AGM and on the website.
Proposed: Catherine Laverty
Seconded : Maureen Laverty - MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The membership report was presented by Keith Dowling
As of early October 2023 – 332 fully paid members with 38 non practicing members.
Keith reminded members to return CPD certs with membership renewal and FAR first aid certs as they fall due. - COMMUNICATIONS REPORT AND ETCMA REPORT
The communications report was presented by Helen Falvey.
Helen provided a comprehensive report on the ETCMA General Assembly event in Athens.
Helen provided details of Acupuncture Ireland, an AFPA and ACI joint directory of acupuncturists in Ireland. Helen also provided details of the BAcC conference and the screening of Journey To The West (AFPA/ACI/BAcC collaboration). - ELECTION OF VOTING OFFICERS
Caroline McHugh and Lucas Havala
MOTION
“To consider future coordination and possible amalgamation with ACI, with the intention of representing the profession in a strong and unified way.”
Niamh Muldowney
Niamh spoke to her motion, followed by Lucas Havala, Kathleen Dowd, Shane McMunn, Caoimhe McGlinchey and Caroline McHugh.
The motion was put to a vote and passed by a simple majority (in favour 42, against 3, abstained 1).
ELECTION TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Keith Dowling spoke to his nomination.
Following a vote, Keith was elected to the Executive Committee. ( in favour 43, abstained 1).
- DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT AGM
To be decided. - CLOSURE OF THE FORMAL MEETING
Chairperson Shane McMunn declared the formal part of the meeting closed. - AOB
Shane McMunn presented Caroline McHugh and Kathleen Dowd with a gift as a token of appreciation of their contribution to the organisation over the years.
Shane confirmed that educational standards will be investigated and spoke to some of the potential difficulties of same. There was some general conversation around education and both educational standards and opportunities.
Keith Dowling spoke of CORU and how they assess educational standards of professions.
Shane McMunn emphasised that this is a longer term project.
Helena Fitzgerald, in the online chat asked re return on investment vs the cost of pursuing CORU membership and higher educational standards. Shane McMunn replied that the ultimate goal would be protection of the status of acupuncture as a profession. The joint working groups will be gathering more information as they proceed.
Caoimhe Mc Glinchey pointed out the differences between educational standards and professional validation - CLOSE OF MEETING
Chairperson Shane McMunn thanked everyone for coming and thanked his colleagues on the EC for all their hard work.