Branch Committee Guide

Welcome

Congratulations on joining a branch committee within the Transport Professionals Association.

This page aims to equip new committee members with the information they need to contribute as volunteers. Transport Professionals Association's (TPA) volunteer culture is highly valued and offers members significant opportunities to develop and maintain lasting friendships and strong professional networks.

The hard work and dedication of members who volunteer their time to serve on the Board of Directors, State Branch Committees, the National Conference Committee and the Transport Modelling and Emerging Professionals Networks contribute to our vision for a sustainable, efficient, accessible and safe transport system.

Our volunteers contribute to growing a strong, connected and supportive community of practitioners to enhance the resilience and capacity of the industry. Collaboration influences better outcomes, and our capability is enhanced through sharing and developing knowledge and experience.

Volunteer Expectations

Being a member of a Branch Committee is a great opportunity to engage within the industry, build connections, to grow your experience and to give back to your professional community, but it also involves a level of personal and professional commitment.

• It is expected that you will attend and actively contribute to all monthly committee meetings (either in person or virtually) or will give reasonable notice if unable to attend.
• Each committee member should be responsible for, or involved in, the organisation of at least one technical or networking event each year.
• Committee members are also encouraged to engage in activities that promote our profile and the transport community, including engaging with members and external stakeholders. This may include attending events (TPA or external events), activities with stakeholders such as local universities, or workshops with government and/or other industry and professional bodies.
• Committee members may also be involved in seeking sponsorship for our activities and in promoting memberships and subscriptions.

Orientation Checklist for New Committee Members

✅ Read the Branch Charter

The Branch Charter is a Board approved document. The Board of Directors manages the affairs of the Institute in conformity with the Constitution, which provides for the establishment of Branches to aid in the administration of the business of the Institute.

The Charter guides the operation of Branches is regularly reviewed by the Board to ensure currency of content and consistency with the Constitution, Laws, and current policies of the Institute.

✅ Read and agree to the Volunteer Code of Conduct

Committee members should familiarise themselves and act in accordance with the TPA Code of Conduct.  

This Code of Conduct has been developed to maintain a positive working environment, to protect the reputation and welfare of individual members, to protect the Institute’s brand and reputation and to provide the members with guidance on ethical conduct and their obligations when acting on behalf of the Institute.

The Code addresses personal conduct, accountability, record keeping and the use of information.

✅ Read and agree to the follow TPA Policies and Guidelines

Committee members should familiarise themselves and act in accordance with the  various TPAs policies and guidelines, including the Privacy Policy and Social Media Policy.

✅ Understand the Branch Committee Structure

The Branch Committee consists of not more than fifteen ordinary members, a Transport Modelling Network representative and the Chair of the relevant state EPN committee. The elected office bearers are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Officer. Their role descriptions are outlined in Appendix 1.

✅ Commit to attending Branch Committee Meetings

Branch Committee should ideally meet between February and December each year and no less than four (4) times a year. The committee can meet via electronic means, including video or phone conference. The Branch Charter contains full details of the conduct of meetings.

✅ Understand and commit to Branch Committee processes

Volunteers are busy professionals. To provide certainty the Branch Committee sets a calendar of meetings well in advance and the Secretary in consultation with the office bearers circulates an agenda for each meeting. It is important that all Committee members study the agenda prior to the meeting to ensure they can make an informed contribution to discussions at the meeting.

The Secretary takes minutes of these meetings including clearly stated decisions and action items, including recording who is responsible for each.  Progress and/or completion of these action items are addressed as the first order of business at the next meeting.

Committee minutes and other documentation are TPA records and should be maintained accordingly.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Volunteering with us is intended to be a positive and rewarding experience, and we support and encourage diverse and inclusive committees. Where any committee member has specific needs to support their access to and inclusion in any committee or our activities, we encourage that member (or other members of the committee) to advise their Branch President or the TPA staff of that need so that we can support their successful inclusion and involvement with Transport Professionals Association.