Purpose

The University of Melbourne Physiotherapy Alumni Society's primary objectives are to:

• foster close ties amongst its members
• support education (both undergraduate and postgraduate) and research at the University of Melbourne School of Physiotherapy
• provide prizes for worthy undergraduate students.

UMPAS operates within a Constitution which is designed to serve these objectives. UMPAS Committee members volunteer their time to attend monthly meetings (11 times a year) and address Committee business, such as organising the various UMPAS activities.

History

Originally called the 'Friends of Physio', the University of Melbourne Physiotherapy Alumni Society (UMPAS) began in 1990, following in the tradition of many other University faculties and schools. The University has an exciting new web site detailing services available to alumni run by the External Relations Unit. At first a small society consisting mostly of graduates from the former Lincoln School of Health Sciences, UMPAS has now grown to approximately 150 members, the majority of them graduates of The University of Melbourne School of Physiotherapy.

All Melbourne University Physiotherapy graduates are encouraged to join UMPAS, however membership eligibility extends to anyone with a substantial association with The University of Melbourne School of Physiotherapy.

The UMPAS Committee

The University of Melbourne Physiotherapy Alumni Society Committee coordinates the functions of UMPAS. Committee members are nominated and then elected by the UMPAS membership at the Annual General Meeting held in April. Members of the UMPAS Committee provide their service on a voluntary basis and must be financial members of UMPAS. The Committee meets at the School of Physiotherapy each month (excepting January) to discuss issues, organise functions and deal with other committee business, such as publishing the 'Physiotherapy Alumni' newsletter and awarding grants.

The UMPAS Committee includes:

• a President (two-year term)
• the immediate past President (ex officio) for 12 months following the completion of his or her term
• five ordinary members (preferably one of whom is undertaking postgraduate study at the School)
• a first year graduate
• up to two elected representatives from the undergraduate student body
• a nominated School of Physiotherapy staff representative
• the Head of the School of Physiotherapy

The positions of President, Treasurer and Secretary are elected by the Committee. One Committee member is usually asked to take responsibility for editing the UMPAS Newsletter 'Physiotherapy Alumni'. It is the responsibility of all Committee members to engage in decision-making processes and represent the membership's views and interests to the best of their ability. To assist the Committee in achieving this, UMPAS members are always encouraged to provide feedback to the Committee.