A watercolour of Jane Austen by her sister Cassandra

Jane Austen Society of Australia

JASA Office Holders' Job Descriptions

President

The President of JASA, whilst taking overall responsibility for all Society activities specifically: 

• Sets the agendas for and conducts General and Committee Meetings as well as Annual Conferences;
• Identifies and engages guest speakers for all meetings and events;
• Writes the President's Report for each edition of Chronicle and Practicalities;
• Maintains contacts with international Jane Austen societies;
• Represents JASA including talks to community groups and schools etc, and is the contact for the electronic/print media;
• Is the first contact for prospective new JASA members via the Jane Austen phone line;
• Signs off expenses, signs cheques and the Annual Accounts.

Vice President

• Presides at JASA meetings and functions in the absence of the President; 
• Negotiates and oversees the Society's public liability insurance;
• Co-ordinates the annual Study Day;
• Organizes gifts for guest speakers at meetings/conferences and a member to officially thank the speakers.

Treasurer

• Is responsible for all income received, issue of receipts, recording of same and banking processes;
• Pays all accounts and maintains correct records of all financial transactions;
• Compiles and presents a documented financial report listing progressive receipts and payments to 
  all Committee Meetings;
• Prepares and submits to the auditor a financial statement and balance sheet for the year ending 31st 
  December;
• Presents the audited report at the AGM and prepares a written report for the June Chronicle;
• Records all new and renewed memberships and passes this information to the Membership Secretary.
• Provides costing for events, keeps records of all bookings for events, waiting lists, cancellations 
  and issues appropriate refunds.

Secretary

• Maintains Minutes of General and Committee Meetings and is custodian of official records;
• Assists with correspondence.

Membership Secretary

• Responds by letter to all membership inquiries and acknowledges by letter all new memberships;
• Maintains membership data base (Excel or similar database), which requires constant updating;
• Prints address labels for the four annual mail-outs of publications;
• Registers attendees at General Meetings and collects attendance fees.

Publicity Officer

• Undertakes a variety of general committee tasks;
• Deals with publicity matters as required;
• Special projects as required;
• (note: the current holder of this position also performs the additional role of Editor of Sensibilities, which is not a committee position);

Special Events Co-ordinator

• Arranges venues Day Conference and Christmas Lunch and liaises with appropriate contact persons;
• Arranges Theatre Parties and conducts Christmas Raffle; 
• Four times a year oversees mail-out of publications and arranges postage.

Regency Fair Co-ordinator

• Is responsible for Regency Fair acquisitions, sales and stock control including the annual stocktake. This necessitates storage of Regency Fair stock in his/her private residence.
• Sale of Regency Fair items at events and promotion in publications.

There are a number of prerequisites that apply to all Committee Members to ensure the efficient and timely management of the Society. These are: 

• A personal computer, relevant computer skills, daily access to the Internet and an e-mail address.
• The ability to attend Committee Meetings every 6-8 weeks, commencing at 7.30 pm and lasting up to three hours. Committee Members take turns in hosting these meetings at their homes located around Sydney - you will need to be able to drive yourself to these meetings.