Governance

Our AGM

In accordance with its Constitution WLASA is required to host an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each 12 months held within the first 3 months of each new financial year.  Visit our Annual General Meeting Events page for details of our upcoming and past meetings.

Between 7 and 28 days prior to each AGM, the Secretary distributes to all members:

Key Note Speakers

In some years WLASA hosts a key note speaker as part of the AGM to address current topics and issues of interest to our membership.  Key note speakers in the past have included:

  • The Honourable Isobel Redmond MP  – former leader in opposition of the South Australian Liberal Party; member for Heysen
  • The Honourable Robyn Layton – former South Australian Supreme Court Justice
  • Her Honour Senior Judge Susanne Cole – District Court Judge (Senior Judge ERD Court)
  • The Honourable Margaret Nyland – former South Australian Supreme Court Justice
  • Ms Sandra Dann – Director of the Working Women Centre of South Australia

Annual Report

The AGM provides an opportunity for our members to come together and review the achievements of WLASA over the previous 12 months.  Each year the Committee also prepares an Annual Report, copies of which are distributed to those who attend the meeting.

Constitution

The Women Lawyers Association of South Australia Inc (WLASA) is an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA) and in accordance with this Act has a constitution governing its conduct.

The Constitution of WLASA may be amended by resolution of three-quarters of voting financial Members present at a Special General Meeting called for that purposes of which not less than 7 days written notice has been given.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 19 September 2013 the membership resolved to amend the Constitution.  A copy of the current Constitution as amended may be downloaded here: 2013 WLASA Constitution.

Annual Reports

At each AGM the Secretary tables an Annual Report to the Members of the Association.  The Annual Report covers events and activities conducted by the Association for the previous financial year.  This report is the key communication document from the Association’s committee to the Members and contains a range of information including:

  • President’s ReportWLA website_038
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Governance Statement
  • Committee Report
  • Feature Article
  • Update on Australian Women Lawyers
  • Standing Subcommittee Reports
  • Other relevant news

Reports tabled at recent Annual General Meetings:

Annual Report 2022-2023

Annual Report 2021-2022

Annual Report 2019-2020

Annual Report 2018-2019

Annual Report 2017-2018

Annual Report 2016-2017

Annual Report 2015-2016

Annual Report 2014-2015

Annual Report 2013-2014 (Role Descriptions for Annual Report 2014)

Annual Report 2012-2013

Annual Report 2011-2012

Annual Report 2010-2011

Annual Report 2009-2010

Strategic Plan

In February 2020, the Committee of WLASA met to discuss our Strategic Plan 2020 – 2023.

Our three strategic priorities for this period are:

  1. To position the WLASA as a leading resource and advocate for women in the legal profession at all stages of their careers;
  2. To become a peak body representing the legal rights and interests of women across all areas of society by influencing the reform of policy, legislation and legal processes; and
  3. To maintain the effective and appropriate operation of the WLASA to ensure sustainability and support the delivery of services to its members.

Prior to this, in February and September 2015 the Committee of WLASA worked to update its five year Strategic Plan.  The purpose of the Five Year Strategic Plan is to:

  • Set out the History and Mission Statement of WLASA
  • Summarise the activities WLASA plans to engage in over the five year period
  • link the planned activities to the Objects of WLASA so that Members may appreciate how the Committee is meeting those Objects
  • Guide the Committee in its activities

The Strategic Plan for 2015-2019 may be downloaded here: WLASA_Strategic Plan_2015-2019 (final)