Business will include receipt of President's Annual Report and Annual Financials, and Election of Officers.
I have much pleasure in reporting on the progress and activities of the Taranaki Property Investor’s Association over the past year.
Monthly Members Program
Over the last twelve months our monthly meeting program has again offered members a wide range of relevant topics delivered by competent and some high profile speakers. The Executive is always striving to ensure TPIA members have access to a high calibre program of speakers equal to anywhere in the country.
Meetings are generally well supported by members, relative to the size of our membership base.
This year’s annual member’s bus trip was held in April with the focus being on the Bell Block and Waitara urban areas. A group of almost 30 enjoyed an opportunity to get up to date with the local market. An informative and social time, and for which positive comments have been received.
Membership
Our membership has remained steady and in the 50-60 memberships range over the past 12 months.
By comparison to other PIA’s in NZ the TPIA has a very good core retention rate with approx. 85% of our members renewing over the past 12 months. As with any organisation there is membership ‘churn’ with some members choosing not to renew and new members joining. The executive monitors non-renewals; the feedback we receive indicates that those who do not renew do so for personal reasons and not out of any dissatisfaction with TPIA activities.
Member Communications
During the year we ceased producing a hardcopy newsletter. Continuing to produce a monthly newsletter was proving to be beyond our resources in terms on people power and was also proving costly. We now direct our efforts to keeping the website updated with our events and members can ‘click through’ to the NZPIF website for current and topical news of interest to property investors. Monthly meeting reminders are now sent by email. If you are not receiving emails from TPIA it will be because we don’t have your current or your correct email address. However, if ever in doubt about upcoming meetings, members should check out the TPIA website for current information.
National Communications Meetings
Two members of the executive attended the NZPIF National Communications meetings held in Wellington in May 2014 and March 2015. Your executive places priority on the TPIA being represented at these meetings. The NZPIF pays for the airfares of one representative from each PIA.
Annual NZPIF Conference
Members of the Executive and some other members attended the annual NZPIF conference held in Christchurch in September 2014.
The NZPIF Annual Conference is the education and networking ‘high point’ in the annual property investment calendar and I would encourage all members who want to move on in property investment to attend. This year’s conference is in Auckland on 16-18 October.
NZ Property Investors Federation
The Federation continues to be very active at a national level promoting the interests of all residential property investors. Our Executive Officer Andrew King represents the Federation and all property investors very well at a national level and seldom misses an opportunity to speak to the national media on matters important to the property investment fraternity.
TPIA has two members’ of its executive currently serving on the national executive of the Federation. Our Treasurer Helen Marriott was appointed last year and is also serves as the regional representative for the lower North Island. I have served as the national Secretary since 2013. TPIA is unique among PIA’s in having two members serving on the national executive. It puts your Association in a strong and well-informed position with regard to keeping up with national issues and also having input into NZPIF policies and decision making.
Financial
As will be reported by our Treasurer, Helen Marriott, the TPIA is in very good financial heart. The Financials for 2014/15 show that costs have been substantially reduced over the past year and we have healthy reserves.
TPIA Executive
I would like to thank members of the 2014/2015 Executive for their respective contributions given that we have been under strength this past year by 2-3 persons.
Vice President Bruce Wallis has again done an outstanding job in securing speakers and also sponsorship for all meetings over the past year. Bruce arranges a minimum sponsorship of $350 per meeting. In addition, and yet again, Bruce was the driving force behind (and at the front) of our annual Bus Trip. Thank you Bruce for another year’s solid contribution.
Thanks to Claire Anderson who has been our Secretary for the past year. The taking of the minutes, as an accurate record of business, is an important task in organisations’ such as ours.
Treasurer Helen Marriott has done another year’s dedicated work in keeping the financial records in order and making sure the bills get paid on time. Helen has also been our membership officer. These roles are time consuming and require accuracy in recording information and figures. Helen also had significant input into organising the Investors Bus Trip in April. Also a big thanks to Helen and Neville for making their home available for Executive meetings each month.
During the year Richard Woodd has put his journalistic skills to very good use on behalf of TPIA. Richard has been diligent in writing up stories about our speakers for the Midweek weekly newspaper. While not every story has been published (Richard doesn’t have editorial control!) the publication of the speaker bio’s helps to maintain the profile of TPIA in the local community and has proved an effective means of getting new people along to our meetings.
Lew Sarten is the person behind the scenes who ensures you all get your monthly meeting and other event reminders. The IT we use is NZPIF sponsored and can prove challenging to use at times. Thank you Lew for your diligence and commitment.
Tony Johns has made another year’s valuable contribution to TPIA. Ever dependable Tony is the one who always assists with venue set up and ensures the TPIA portable sign is always on display at our monthly meetings. TPIA is especially appreciative to Tony and his wife Orchid, for providing the refreshments after each monthly meeting. Orchid’s home baking is not expected, never taken for granted, but always well received.
All in all, it is a pleasure to work with such a dedicated team of individuals who are passionate about property and enthusiastic and committed to promoting the best interests of TPIA to ensure that our members get the most out of their membership, particularly with regard to property investing education and fellowship.
Concluding Comments
As President of TPIA my personal aims have been to ensure TPIA delivers a quality program for members’ that is relevant and educational; that we continue to identify opportunities to add value for members and to ensure the Executive collectively manages the financial resources of TPIA in a prudent and responsible manner.
Over the past year I believe the Executive has again done well on all three counts. The TPIA is in good shape for the year ahead. The incoming Executive will have the challenges of continuing to look for ways to add value, hold costs, and grow membership numbers.
This AGM sees me completing 4 years as TPIA President and I have put my name forward for nomination again this year. I regard it as a privilege to act in the capacity of President. I am particularly appreciative of having the support of successive executives, the hall mark of which has been the enthusiasm of each executive member for property investment and the best interests of the Taranaki Property Investors Association and its members.
Colin Comber
President
16 June 2015
Cleggs Carpet Court owner Mark Clegg (left) with Taranaki Property Investors Assn president Colin Comber at the Cleggs showroom in NP on June 16, where the TPIA held its annual meeting. Carpet Court group participants have entered a nationwide partnership with the NZ Property Investors Federation which returns a sales rebate for the benefit of local associations
Cleggs Carpet Court sales consultant Karen Lumsden discusses carpet options with Rob van Lieshout who was elected to the TPIA executive at the agm that evening.
