Maccabi Australia announces new President
Barry Smorgon has been elected as the new President of Maccabi Australia.
Front Row: (Left to Right)
Tom Goldman (Chair of the Board of Governors), Barry Smorgon (President MAI), Alan Shear (President Maccabi, WA)
Back Row: (Left to Right)
Joe Dorfman (President Maccabi Victoria), Louis Platus (Member of the Board of Governors), Mikki Silverman (Board Member MAI), Sydney Kahn(Board Member MAI), Lauren Ehrlich (Board Member MAI), Danny Hochberg(President Maccabi NSW), Harry Procel (Board Member MAI), Philip Sheezel(Board Member MAI), Celene Descy(President Maccabi, QLD), Jeff Sher(Board Member MAI)
Barry has been on the MAI Board since 2009 and in his role as Chairman has brought about many significant reforms to the organisation, most notably the national perspective that MAI now enjoys. In addition he has been instrumental in bringing a level of accountability and structure to the organisation whilst enabling constitution reforms and the introduction of the Member Protection Policy.
Barry replaces outgoing President Lisa Borowick, who after four years announced her intention to retire from the position and the Board. Lisa has served the Maccabi organisation in one way or another over 35 years. During this time, she was a member of the Maccabi Victoria Board for 12 years and the MAI Board for eight years. Furthermore, she has been involved in over 15 Maccabi Carnivals as a player, manager or administrator, and has undertaken Team Management roles for four Maccabiah Games and was appointed Head of Delegation for the 11th & 12th Pan American Games. Maccabi Australia is grateful for her significant contribution to the organisation. Lisa Borowick has been invited o join the Maccabi Australia Board of Governors.
The new MAI Board structure and members are noted in the schedule below. Significantly the roles and responsibilities have been adjusted to meet the needs of the dynamic nature of the organisation. The marketing and fundraising positions are being actively recruited as are a number of people to sit on the various sub committees that are being formed to drive forward the strategic objectives for 2015.
Barry Smorgon and Lisa Borowick
Barry noted that “it is the Board’s intention to develop the next generation of leaders and we are determined to position the organisation for the future. In so doing we have invited a number of young leaders to join the MAI Board sub committees to assist us develop our exciting programs. ”
Barry will be supported in the role by an Executive Committee made up of 4 people including Sydney Kahn, Jeff Sher, Phillip Sheezel and the Executive Director of MAI- Ellana Aarons. The initial focus will be to ensure that the organisation is able to deliver real value and meaning to its members. In 2015 there will be 3 international teams travelling to sporting competitions and the planning for the next Maccabiah gets underway in earnest.
Barry also noted that 2015 marks the 90th anniversary of Maccabi in Australia. To mark this occasion a year of sporting and cultural events are being planned which will augment Maccabi’s position in the community. “Maccabi’s key objective is to connect the Australian Jewish community through sport, and we will use this 90th year to reach our heritage members as well as current members to build the connections even further.”
The Maccabi organisation is represented by over 9000 members who participate in more than 50 sporting clubs around the nation. Over a 90 year period, there would be few families in Australia who have not had a positive Maccabi experience. Barry stated that “The reach of Maccabi is unmatched within the Jewish community and this anniversary will be a great opportunity to celebrate the rich history of the organisation and engage current Maccabi Members as well as Maccabi and Maccabiah alumni.”
MAI Board Positions and Portfolios
| PresidentBarry Smorgon
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The formal public face of the organisation for all important matters and the Board’s “orchestra leader”- chair of Board meetings, overviews all portfolios and ensures that the organisation is achieving its objectives and that the board members are working in harmony.Responsible for the organisation’s ongoing MWU relationship. |
| Strategy & PolicyJeff Sher | Responsible for the Mentoring of the ED, management of the MAI office and its various activities, prioritising the Board’s objectives, the development and implementation of the Board’s “one voice, one organisation” policy development. Also responsible for the recruitment of new board members and a succession plan to ensure the continuity and mentoring of new board members. |
| Finance & AdminSydney Kahn | Responsible for all accounting functions, preparation of monthly financing statements, for funds management and for the development, implementation and management of a national insurance program for MAI and its affiliated entities and clubs. Also responsible for all admin., policy management, governance and legal matters. The Treasurer is the Secretary of Maccabi Australia. |
| International SportMikki Silverman | Responsible for Maccabiah, JCC, Pan-Am Games, European Maccabi and all other international sporting events, including policy development, recruitment of management/volunteers and HOD’s. In addition responsible for the development of leaders and succession planning for future events. |
| National SportHarry Procel
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Responsible for all national sporting events undertaken by Maccabi organisation s and clubs in Australia. Also responsible for the development of National councils where appropriate, assisting States with national sport programs and responding to the needs of the States. In addition responsible for the development of leaders and succession planning for future events. |
| FundraisingTo be appointed | Responsible for all fundraising undertaken by Maccabi organisation s (both National & State) to ensure that a co- ordinated and planned approach is taken to enhance the Maccabi brand at all levels of the organisation and that fundraising opportunities are maximized. Also responsible for developing and implementing strategies to maximize donations from major families and for developing increased income streams for the organisation. |
| Marketing and communications To be appointed
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Responsible for development and implementation of an effective Maccabi marketing & communications strategy on both National. Responsible for enhancing the Maccabi brand and ensuring that it has universal application across the country. Also responsible for developing and implementing an effective social networking strategy to improve links to and benefits for Maccabi members. |
| MPPPhilip Sheezel | Responsible for the overseeing and implementation of MAI’s MPP project and to chair the MPP Sub- Committee. |
| LeadershipLauren Ehrlich | Responsible for the development of leadership programs in concert with the States that enable MAI to add value to its members and the broader club base. The programs are to be centered on youth leadership, reconnecting the25-40s and the establishment of leaders who can take up broader management roles in the Maccabi organisation. |
| Maccabi NSWDanny Hochberg | Responsible for management of their State’s Maccabi organisation and the development of their affiliated clubs. In addition responsible for the implementation of leadership programs developed through the MAI board portfolio and the establishment of clear succession plans for the State Body and Clubs. |
| Maccabi VicJoe Dorfman | Responsible for management of their State’s Maccabi organisation and the development of their affiliated clubs. In addition responsible for the implementation of leadership programs developed through the MAI board portfolio and the establishment of clear succession plans for the State Body and Clubs. |
| Co-opted PositionsStephen Jankelowitz | There are 2 Co-op positions available. These positions to be assigned for specific board determined projects. The person appointed to this position is to have the same voting rights as other board members. The need for the project and therefore role will be reviewed on an annual basis. If the role has continuance beyond the year, the board may agree to make the position a permanent portfolio and subject to the normal voting conditions. A process of appointment for a co-opted positioned is to be defined. |
