Occupational Therapy Australia is now seeking a call for Nominations/Applications for the following roles as part of the overall Organising Committee of the Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition to be held 25-27 June 2025 in Adelaide:

• National Members x 3
• Consumer Member x 1
• New Graduate Member x 1

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 July 2024.

OVERVIEW
The OTA national conference and exhibition provides unique opportunities for our diverse community of occupational therapy researchers, developers, creators, educators, and practitioners. Our continuing mission is to be the leading/premier occupational therapy conference in the Asia Pacific region. The Organising Committee have an opportunity to contribute to an area of planning leading up to the Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025.

The Organising Committee works in close conjunction with the Convenor, Scientific Program Chair and OTA Conference Events Team.

In addition to the OTA events team, the Organising Committee (OC) for the National Conference would comprise of the following members:

• Conference Convenor
• Scientific Program Chair
• Committee Member: New Graduate Member x 1
• Committee Member: National Member x 3
• Committee Member: Consumer Member x 1

Roles:
OC members contribute to some of the planning areas to assist the events team, these areas include but are not limited to:

• Ambassador program
• Cultural awareness and activities
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Networking/social activities
• Student volunteers
• App
• New initiatives

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to scheduled Organising Committee (OC) meetings (80% attendance required*)
• Contribute/respond to the OC email discussions (as required)
• Review the recommendations from the previous national conference and contribute to addressing and fulfilling the endorsed suggestions.
• Ensure strategic objectives are met.
• Bring innovative ideas to the committee for discussion.
• Assist with marketing strategies to promote the Conference.
• Identify key ambassadors and social media influencers within the industry who will promote the Conference.
• Provide details of key stakeholders for Sponsorship and Exhibition sales and how we can further engage exhibitors with delegates.
• Review the shortlist of keynote/invited speakers as prepared by the CSPC.
• Act as Occupational Therapy Australia 2025 National Conference “ambassadors” and market the conference within available networks.
• Assist with coordinating onsite activities including, however not limited to:  - hosting the Keynote speakers, availability as session chair, chairing plenary session/s; thanking exhibitors, attendance at the opening, closing, keynotes and social events.
• Contribute to the evaluation of the National Conference.

Members of the OC serve in their personal capacity. Candidates are selected based on their standing in the Australian Occupational Therapy community with due regard for region and areas of expertise.

Selection Criteria for the National Member x 3 include:
Essential:

• Must hold current membership with Occupational Therapy Australia throughout the duration of their conference planning cycle.
• Ability to attend scheduled zoom/teams meetings.
• Able and willing to devote the necessary amount of time to do the job.
• Able to attend the full Conference (Wednesday – Friday).
• Bring innovative ideas to the committee for discussion.
• Assist with marketing strategies to promote the Conference.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated high standard of oral and written communication skills, time management, and organisational skills to ensure effective teamwork.

• Have attended a large conference or other large professional development event.
• Connected to an established network of individuals within the occupational therapy profession in Australia.

Selection Criteria for the New Graduate Member x 1 include:
Essential:

• Must hold current membership with Occupational Therapy Australia throughout the duration of their conference planning cycle.
• Minimum 6-12 months’ work experience in Occupational Therapy.
• Ability to attend scheduled zoom/teams meetings.
• Able and willing to devote the necessary amount of time to do the job.
• Able to attend the full Conference (Wednesday – Friday).
• Bring innovative ideas to the committee for discussion.
• Assist with marketing strategies to promote the Conference.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated high standard of oral and written communication skills, time management, and organisational skills to ensure effective teamwork.

• Have attended a large conference or other large professional development event.

Selection Criteria for the Consumer Member x 1 include:
Essential:

• Ability to attend scheduled Zoom/Teams meetings.
• Able and willing to devote the necessary amount of time to do the job.
• Able to attend the full Conference (Wednesday-Friday).
• Bring innovative ideas to the committee for discussion.
• Assist with marketing strategies to promote the Conference.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated high standard of oral and written communication skills, time management, and organisational skills to ensure effective teamwork.

• Have attended a large conference or other large professional development event.
• Connected to an established network of individuals /consumer groups and /or within the occupational therapy profession in Australia.

^{It is not mandatory that individuals meet every desirable qualification to be eligible for the position of Committee Member of the National Conference Organising Committee and interested persons who do not meet all qualifications are encouraged to discuss their interest with the Convenor.}

Application Procedure:
All nominations are considered by the CEO and Convenor. To be nominated, the candidate should send the following items (as Word files) by email to Samantha Hunter with reference: EOI 2025 Organising Committee nomination:

• A cover letter addressed to the Occupational Therapy Australia CEO, Samantha Hunter with responses to the selection criteria.
• The nominee’s summary CV (max. 2 x A4 pages) including contact details for two referees.

Closing Date:
Wednesday 31 July 2024.