For 15 years the Australian Men’s Shed Association has supported the establishment of thousands of Men’s Sheds and Men’s Shed organisations worldwide.
AMSA’s focus is on continuing our current services, and grow in order to make a positive impact for the benefit, development and sustainability of Men’s Sheds in Australia—whilst always keeping grassroots Men’s Sheds and shedders in mind.
Governance
The AMSA Board has overall responsibility for the management of AMSA; endorsing strategic direction, monitoring organisation performance and ensuring that the organisation has effective structures and governance mechanisms in place to succeed. The Board is committed to proper and effective governance to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in our operations.
The AMSA Board recognises its role in overseeing the determination and implementation of policies and processes that reflect good corporate governance which is aligned with the five pillars of governance standards recommended by the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission, our contractual commitments and stakeholder expectations.
A Board comprising of six (6) elected state-based directors (two (2) year terms) and up to five (5) board-appointed specialist directors (three (3) year terms).
Any AMSA member Men’s Shed that has been a financial member for more than 12 months will be eligible to nominate a member of that shed to stand for election to the AMSA Board.
The recognition of any AMSA member Men’s Shed with a membership tenure of more than 12 months, as a voting member with rights to vote at all general meetings. Each eligible member Men’s Shed will be entitled to one (1) vote.
To enable incorporated state organisations, that satisfy membership criteria, to apply for AMSA membership. Any AMSA member state organisation with a membership tenure of more than 12 months will be recognised as a voting member with rights to vote at all general meetings. Each eligible member state organisation will be entitled to five (5) votes.
The Constitution and By-Laws make provision for the formation of committees to provide detailed advice to the AMSA Board on a range of issues relevant to the organisation.
In 2024 the AMSA Board formed several Subcommittees designed to strengthen our structure, harness the expertise across our network, and enhance the support we provide to members nationwide. One such initiative was the establishment of the Constitutional Review Subcommittee, chaired by Andrew Croxford.
The Subcommittee was formalised and appointed to review the current AMSA Constitution and make recommendations to the Board following many years of debate and review.
After a comprehensive review and in the absence of compelling evidence to support the proposed constitutional amendments, the Subcommittee concluded that the suggested changes would not enhance AMSA’s unity, governance effectiveness, or value to members.
Instead, the Subcommittee recommended that AMSA reaffirm its commitment to Recommendation 21(b)(iv) of the 2020 Governance Review — to adopt a skills-based Board model that prioritises the interests of Member Sheds above all else.
Documents
- Constitutional Review Committee Report on Proposed Constitutional Changes
- NSWMSA Letter – AMSA Proposed Constitution Changes
- QMSA Letter – AMSA Proposed Constitution Changes
- TMSA Letter – AMSA Proposed Constitution Changes
- VMSA Letter – AMSA Proposed Constitution Changes
- NSWMSA Response
- TMSA Response
- VMSA, MWSA, TMSA & QMSA Response
Reports
- AMSA Strategic Plan 2025-2027
- AMSA 2023 Member Survey Report
- AMSA Financial Statements (30 June 2025)
- AMSA AGM Minutes 2024
- Governance Review of AMSA commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health (2020-21)
- Evaluation of the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) against their funding agreement – Siggins Miller (2018)
