TASA PRESIDENT
Major responsibilities include:
- Developing the mission of the Association
- Leading policy development and implementation
- Representing TASA to external bodies
- Liaise with the editors of the Journal of Sociology, Health Sociology Review and TASA’s Web Publications
- Reviewing the Strategic Plan
- Chairing the AGM and reporting on matters of relevance to the Association
- Coordinating the review and implementation of the Strategic Plan
- Overseeing the determination of TASA Awards and Prizes
- Participating in strategic planning for the annual conference
- Overseeing website governance and implementation, including the development and maintenance of TASAweb
- Share responsibility for the financial standing of the Association with all TASA Executive Members
- Being a signatory on TASA bank accounts
- Reviewing and negotiating Sage and Taylor and Francis TASA contracts (where relevant)
Chairing of TASA meetings:
The President or his/her nominee is responsible for chairing the following meetings:
- AGM and any Special General Meetings
- Executive Committee meetings
- Grievance committee
- TASA Awards and Prizes committees
- Other sub-committees as established by the Executive Committee
Reports and presentations:
- President’s Address at the annual conference
- President’s report to each Executive meeting
- President’s report for the Annual Report
- President’s welcome on TASAweb
- The Strategic Plan
- Presenting TASA Awards and Prizes
- Issuing media statements in the name of the Association
- Representing the Association in all official functions
Conditions:
- TASA President must be a member of TASA and must attend a majority of Executive Committee meetings each year.
TASA VICE PRESIDENT
Major responsibilities include:
- Representing the President when they are unavailable
- Assisting with policy development and implementation
- Participating in the AGM and any SGMs and reporting on matters of relevance to the position
- Administering and, where appropriate, participating in the determination of TASA Bursaries, Awards, Prizes and conference scholarships
- Participating in the selection and planning of TASA public events
- Overseeing the documentation related to, and planning and organisation of, the annual conference, with the full support of TASA’s Event Manager, including:
- Selection of the host institution(s) (in years when this is appropriate, see TASA Conference Venue Process at the end of this document)
- When there is no host institution(s), chairing the conference and undertaking conference-related duties including creating a conference committee (which is to include the Portfolio Leaders from the Executive and a small group of members at the conference location) (in years when this is appropriate, such as when holding the conference as part of the HASS congress)
- Attend conference-related meetings and, when appropriate, chair conference-related meetings
- Developing and overseeing conference replacement initiatives and activities (when needed)
- Share responsibility for the financial standing of the Association with all TASA Executive Members
- Being a signatory on TASA bank accounts
Reports:
- Vice-President’s report to each Executive meeting
- Vice-President’s report for the Annual Report
- Oversee the preparation of conference reports (including host conference reports), and present conference reports at each Executive meeting
Conditions:
- TASA Vice-President must be a member of TASA and must attend a majority of Executive Committee meetings each year.
TASA SECRETARY
Major responsibilities include:
General administration:
TASA TREASURER -
Major responsibilities include:
- Assisting in policy development and implementation, particularly as it relates to financial matters
- Overseeing disbursement of profits from TASA annual conference (when held with a host institution(s))
- Being a signatory on TASA bank accounts
- Approve transfer of funds to pay expenses involved in running the Association
General administration:
- Attending meetings of the Executive Committee, the AGM and any SGMs
- The Treasurer shares responsibility for the financial standing of the Association with all TASA Executive Members
- Liaise with EO to facilitate the annual audit of accounts
- Liaise with EO to facilitate quarterly financials
- Liaise with the EO on the processing of revenue and expense related items when necessary, ABN invoices, GST matters
- Oversee the EO processing of Executive Committee and other expenses involved in running the Association
- Oversee the EO in the financial management of all TASA Bursaries, Awards and Prizes
- Reviewing the membership fee scale on an annual basis in line with Australian annual CPI rate
- Ensure that all taxation requirements are met including overseeing the EO in submitting the quarterly BAS statements and annual tax return
- Ensure TASA employee accrued benefits (long service and annual leave, for example) are being recorded
- Oversee the EO in the preparation of the annual financial report for audit and for presentation at the AGM or SGM each year
Reports:
- Treasurer’s report to each Executive meeting: the presentation of a financial statement with quarterly payments to be ratified
- Treasurer’s report for the Annual Report
- The presentation and distribution of the audited annual financial report at the AGM or SGM each year
- Compiling and submitting an annual report (in cooperation with TASA Secretary and EO) for the Incorporations Office in the ACT, signed by TASA Public Officer
Conditions:
- TASA Treasurer must be a member of TASA and must attend a majority of Executive Committee meetings each year.
TASA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE POSTGRADUATE PORTFOLIO LEADER
Major responsibilities include:
- Attending meetings of the Executive Committee
- Assisting in the development and implementation of policy
- Liaison with postgraduate members
- Presenting the views of postgraduate members to the Executive
- Identifying ways in which TASA Executive can promote the interests of postgraduate members
- Participating in the determination of TASA postgraduate conference scholarships
TASA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GENERAL MEMBER
Major responsibilities include:
*Indigenous Portfolio Leader
Within TASA, this portfolio represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sociologists, Indigenous-led sociology, sociologists undertaking research engaging with Indigenous networks and or Indigenous interests. Established in the 2023–2024 term, the Portfolio now leads Indigenous strategy, disciplinary engagement, and Indigenisation initiatives across the Association.
Portfolio Aim
To advance Indigenous leadership, visibility, scholarship, and participation across Australian sociology while supporting the Indigenisation of research, teaching, governance, and professional practice.
Strategic Priorities
1. Indigenous Visibility and Leadership
- Promote Indigenous representation across TASA governance, conferences, publications, and thematic groups
- Support Indigenous sociologists through networking, mentoring, and leadership opportunities
- Strengthen Indigenous participation through bursaries, events, and free membership
2. Embedding Indigenous Knowledges
- Support the Indigenisation of sociology curricula, research, and teaching practices
- Develop Indigenous engagement protocols, cultural participation guidance, and related resources
- Promote Indigenous-led scholarship, publications, and keynote presentations
3. Networks, Community and Engagement
- Build national networks of Indigenous sociologists and allies
- Support Indigenous-focused events, yarning circles, newsletters, and podcast initiatives
- Strengthen the Critical Indigenous Studies Thematic Group and related collaborations
4. Disciplinary Change and Accountability
- Advocate for Indigenous methodologies, ethical practice, and structural reform within sociology
- Support equity reviews, policy development, and culturally accountable practice across TASA
Requirements
- TASA membership (free for Indigenous members)
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander leadership
- Lead implementation of TASA’s Indigenous Strategic Plan 2025-27
- Participate in Executive matters and meetings; assist with policy and strategy
- Participate in working groups and related activities as required
Reports
- Indigenous Portfolio report for the TASA Annual Report
- Indigenous Portfolio report for each Executive meeting
**Public Sociology Portfolio Leader
TASA has a broad interest in better understanding, and celebrating, how Sociology is diversely employed in the world, in particular, in response to social inequality and in pursuit of social justice. The Public Sociology portfolio aims to promote the application of sociological theories, methods, research outcomes, and applied sociology interventions across a range of fields and sectors of public life, including social outreach, media and public engagement, government, NGOs, the private sector and the community sector.
Major responsibilities include:
- Report for each Executive meeting
- Attending meetings of the Executive Committee
- Assisting in development and implementation of TASA’s marketing and communication plan
- Develop strategies that support and promote members to engage with the media
- Promote TASA through high impact public events – e.g. Social Sciences Week; liaise with TASA VP and President on selection and promotion of public lectures; liaise with thematic convenors on thematic group events
- Develop professional links with academic and non-academic organisations in Australia
- Chair Public Statement subcommittee
- Run biennial survey of TASA members public engagement
- Collect information regarding collaboration, training, outreach, and research opportunities, and examples of Public Sociology.
- Public Engagement Special Projects – e.g. professional development for sociologists working outside of academe (e.g. methods, models); link TASA members’ academic, doctoral, and postgraduate research programs to govt/community/business sector applications; professional network/information exchange opportunities between academic and govt/community/business sector; non-academic mentoring programs, etc
- Report for Annual report
Reports:
- Public Sociology Portfolio report to each Executive meeting
- Public Sociology Portfolio contribution to Annual Report
- Biennial Report on Survey of Public Engagement of TASA Members
Conditions:
- Public Sociology Portfolio Leader must be a member of TASA and must attend a majority of Executive Committee meetings each year.
***Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy
- Develop strategies for TASA to better include members of underrepresented groups (for example, but not limited to representation by ethnicity, sexuality, gender, ability, age) within the Association, including TASA committees, thematic groups, events and journals.
- Chair an Equity and Inclusion subcommittee.
- Oversee the conference scholarship for members with disabilities.
- Oversee TASA Career Development Grant.
- Review TASA documents, website and communications for inclusive language.
- Assist in the development of TASA policies and documentation to promote equity and inclusion.
- Assist the Public Sociology Portfolio leader with the development of public statements on behalf of the Executive.
- Lead the response to requests and queries from the membership concerning equity and inclusion.
- Join TASA conference committee and provide input focused on inclusion, safe conferencing, and sustainability for the annual conference (in years when this is appropriate).
- Develop advocacy resources for TASA members.
- Develop advocacy statements on issues of importance to TASA members for review by the Executive Committee
- Report for Annual Report on advocacy iniatives.
***TASA Groups Portfolio Leader (Thematic Groups and Career Stage Groups)
Executive Officer supports TG PL on Thematic Group matters
Membership Director supports TG PL on Career Stage Group matters
Events Manager supports TG PL on event related matters
- Thematic Group SharePoint folder
- update SharePoint files and save as required
- Thematic Group overview and group pages
- Review text and images and send required updates to TASA Office
- TG Convener’s Manual
- Review and update as needed (with approval, when needed, from TASA’s Executive)
- Ensure latest copy is uploaded to TASAweb (liaise with EO)
- TG convener website Emailing system
o Communicate with conveners as required
o Use to promote support schemes and other TG related information
In years when relevant, to be part of the conference committee and perform the following tasks:
- when a conference submission is requested for reassignment to another TG by TG convener/s, deciding which TGs to reassign the conference submission/s;
- assist TG conveners in reviewing conference submissions (and resubmissions) if needed; o review conference submissions rejected by TG conveners; and
o provide feedback to the conference chair as needed.
At the conference, the TG Portfolio Leader will convene an annual TG conveners’ meeting, and ensure that individual TG meetings have been scheduled into the conference program.
- Annual TG Convener meeting - advise of their roles, tasks, and support as required. Updates on any matters of direct interest to the TG Conveners and their members. Prior to the conference:
- Email a call for agenda items to TG Conveners
- Put agenda together
- Disseminate agenda to TG Conveners
- Liaise with TASA’s Event Manager regarding meeting date, time and venue
- Disseminate previous meeting minutes (get from EO)
Post conference:
- Follow-up on meeting matters
- Include important meeting details in March Executive report
- TG meetings during conference week - ensure all group meetings have someone to convene them prior to the conference
- TG Support Scheme
- Receive submission and acknowledge receipt including information on expected funding outcome date – all cc'd to TASA Office
- Check with TASA Office (and/or TG SharePoint) regarding current budget, what $ have been allocated so far, what $ are set aside for current round.
- Review submissions and make recommendations in Executive Meeting report. This needs to take into account the TG Funding Criteria and other matters considered of relevance/ importance to the Executive (for example, funding history, merit of idea, equity, possible outcomes, etc)
- With funded events and activities - organise one convener/organiser to collate all claims, email created event claim form (get from TASA Office), receive, authorise and forward to TASA Admin for payment
o TG web related text - check/update and forward TASA Admin
- Event promotion - Ensure TGs have a media/public dissemination strategy, advise/ support convenors, and, if needed, organise/appoint one convener/organiser to liaise with TASA’s Event Manager on promotional requirements
oEvent recording - (podcasts, videos, vox pops, audio, image) – forward consent forms to event organisers (if necessary/ not otherwise provided – liaise with TASA’s Event Manager)
- Event reporting to Executive - after the event, provide information on the events that have been held, and the expended finances of set budgets
- Event publication - follow up after event for Nexus reports, and lodge reports with the Executive Officer if the TG Convener has not done this
- Group Formation Requests
- Ensure any TG formation requests meet the set criteria noted in the TG Conveners manual
- List in Executive report along with justifications
- Advise likely outcome date to applicant, and subsequently inform applicant
- Disbanded groups
o Liaise with Executive Office to remove TG web page from TASAweb
- Biennial Reviews (2023, 2025, 2027 etc)
- Record convener changes in the shared convener spreadsheet in SharePoint
o Ensure that unavoidable Convener changes (between biennial review times) are recorded/ noted (liaise with Executive Officer)
- Ensure TASA Executive Officer is aware of, and included in, the above
- Send reminder email in June & again in September to remind TG Convener/s of the need to identify new TG Convener/s
- In early December, ask conveners, via email, to email TASA with the names of the outgoing and incoming conveners. If an interim convener is stepping up to convene ask them to record, in the email, the date they came on board.
TASA Conference Venue Sourcing Process
This document outlines a detailed process for our TASA Conference Convenor (TASA VP) to identify and secure a venue for TASA’s conference every second year when the CHASS Congress of HASS is not running. The process is designed to ensure clarity, continuity, and accountability for all parties involved.
1. Conference Convenor: Vice-President
Fortuitously, the year TASA needs to secure a host for their conference is the year following our Executive Elections. This means that Vice-president candidates can be made aware, during the election campaign, that their first major task will be to lock in a university host within the first 5 months of their term (i.e. a VP elected in 2026 will need to secure a host by April/May 2027 for our 2028 conference).
2. Identifying Potential Host Locations
By February of the VPs first year in office (i.e. the year before the conference) they, supported by the Event Manager (EM), should have identified 2–3 potential host locations. These will ideally be in minor cities or regional areas of Australia, (given the Congress of HASS will likely rotate around major cities) where a TASA conference has not been held in the previous 8 to 10 years. Locations should be evaluated based on accessibility (airports and transport), availability of suitable university or community venues, local accommodation, and the appeal of the destination for attendees. It is hoped that candidates nominating for the VP position will already have a conference location in mind. Further, the elected VP could use the conference, in the year they’re elected, to have informal conversations with potential host university staff (i.e. 2026 conference).
3. Identifying Senior Academics at Potential Locations
Once the shortlist of locations is prepared, the Convenor, with assistance from the EM and Executive Officer (EO), should use TASA’s membership database to identify 2–3 academics at each location.
4. Prioritising Locations and Points of Contact
The Convenor, EM, and EO should meet in late February, the year before the conference, to review the shortlist of locations and academics, prioritising them in order of approach.
5. Initiating Contact with Academics
In early March, the year before the conference, the Convenor should send a personalised introductory email to the highest-priority academic at each shortlisted location (EM can draft). This email should outline:
- TASA’s biennial conference history and objectives
- The opportunity and benefits for the university to host the conference
- A request for an initial discussion to explore the possibility further
6. Holding Initial Meetings with Universities
For academics who respond positively, the EM will organise an online meeting, and include the VP and EO, to discuss the hosting arrangement. Topics to cover include venue suitability, university support (financial or in-kind), and preliminary expectations of both parties.
7. Drafting and Negotiating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
When a university is willing to commit, the EM will draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This document will clearly define:
- Roles and responsibilities of TASA and the host university
- Access to university facilities (e.g., lecture theatres, breakout rooms, catering & exhibition areas)
- Any institutional support provided (e.g., AV, staff, resources, sponsorship)
- Key timelines and milestones
The draft MOU will be reviewed by the EO and the VP before being shared with the university for signing.
8. Finalising and Signing the MOU
Once the terms are agreed upon, the EM will send the finalised MOU to the academic contact for submission to their Dean or senior management for institutional approval. The signed MOU should be secured by the end of April in the year prior to the conference (i.e. for the 2028 event, the MOU would ideally be signed by April 2027).
9. Forming the National Organising Committee (NOC)
By August of the year prior to the conference, the EM will form a National Organising Committee (NOC). The committee will consist of:
- Conference Convenor (VP)
- Event Manager
- Executive Officer
- Postgraduate Portfolio Leader
- Indigenous Portfolio Leader
- TASA Groups Leader
- 2–3 academics from the host university
Like in the past few years, the NOC will provide critical input into conference planning and decision-making.
10. Deciding on the Conference Theme and Keynote Speakers
The NOC would meet between August and September (the year before the conference) to discuss/decide on:
- The conference theme
- A shortlist of potential keynote speakers, ensuring diversity and alignment with the theme and TASA’s values
- Whether the event can be hybrid
11. Finalising Budget and Ticket Pricing
By October, the VP, EM, and EO are to prepare a preliminary budget, considering venue costs, registration pricing, catering, AV requirements, marketing, keynote expenses, and contingencies.
12. Launching the Conference
Although it will likely have already been talked about, the conference can be officially launched in November during the preceding year’s Congress of HASS conference (i.e. during our 2027 conference, we should officially announce our 2028 conference and open submissions and registrations).
Venue Sourcing Process Timeline
|
Milestone
|
Responsible
|
Deadline
|
|
Appoint Conference Convenor (VP)
|
TASA Executive
|
Election years
|
|
Identify potential host locations
|
Convenor with Event Manager
|
February (year prior)
|
|
Identify academics at locations
|
Convenor + Event Manager + EO
|
February (year prior)
|
|
Prioritise locations and academics
|
Convenor + EO + Event Manager
|
Late February (year prior)
|
|
Send introductory emails
|
Convenor
|
Early-March (year prior)
|
|
Initial meetings with academics/universities
|
Convenor + EO + Event Manager
|
March–April (year prior)
|
|
Draft and negotiate MOU
|
Event Manager + EO + Convenor
|
April (year prior)
|
|
Sign-off MOU
|
Convenor + Event Manger + University Dean
|
End of April (year prior)
|
|
Form National Organising Committee (NOC)
|
Convenor + Event Manager + EO
|
August (year prior)
|
|
Decide Conference Theme & Keynote Speakers
|
National Organising Committee
|
August–September (year prior)
|
|
Finalise Budget & Registration Pricing
|
Convenor + Event Manager + EO
|
October (year prior)
|
|
Launch Conference
|
Convenor + EM + EO
|
November (year prior)
|
Appendix: Venue Assessment Checklist
The following checklist assists the Conference Convenor and Event Manager in evaluating potential host universities:
✅ Accessibility
✅ Venue Capacity
- Lecture Theatre (250 minimum)
- Number/size of breakout rooms
- Exhibition space for sponsors and catering
✅ Facilities
- AV and technical support
- On-site catering with dietary options
- Reliable Wi-Fi access
✅ Accommodation
- Nearby hotels/university lodging
- Range of budget to premium options
✅ Community and Local Support
- Availability of university staff/student volunteers
- Institutional commitment to host
✅ Costs
- Venue hire costs and in-kind contributions
- Additional fees (cleaning, security, AV equipment)
✅ Environmental Considerations
✅ Appeal to Attendees
- Attractions and amenities in the area
- Safety and ease of navigation for visitors