May 2002 (archive)

We approach the very essential membership renewal period. The Executive committee gave careful consideration to the matter of membership fees at its last meeting in late April. NELA fees have been static for about three years ( except for the GST increase) and while the new administrative arrangements have constrained operating costs, some increase was considered essential. Any increase must strike the balance between continuing to provide value for money to our members and the need to make provision for cost increases both past and future.

The Executive committee therefore decided to set the 2002 / 2003 membership fees at $ 175 for full members and $30 for student members inclusive of GST. A modest increase of about 10%.

The Executive committee noted the wish of State / Territory Branches to receive increased assistance for local activities from NELA resources.

The Secretariat was directed to prepare a 2002 / 2003 draft budget on the basis of these fees and to investigate the capacity of NELA resources to assist local activities. Your committee will discuss this matter at its next meeting.

The NELA Review now represents a significant professional resource in the area of Environmental Law; I hope that our members value the most recent changes. A suggestion that it become a 'refereed journal' will be investigated over the next few months. There are some serious administrative issues to be resolved, before this innovation can be implemented.

Can I encourage you to both renew your NELA membership and attempt to increase our member numbers.

Glen McLeod

President