ZAA's commitment to empowering the membership
As the regional association for zoos and aquariums, it is vital to us that ZAA is supporting the needs of the membership to our best ability. Each year, the ZAA team asks the institutional nominee from each member organisation to complete a survey to help us understand what is and isn’t working for the membership and unlock some insights on how we can improve our service offerings to the region.
The 2023 survey was conducted between March and April, and we are excited to share some of the high-level themes that came out of the feedback and the actions we are taking to ensure the ZAA office is providing the best service and expertise possible.
1: Deliver improvements through committees, TAGs/SAGs, comms and marketing support
Some of the actions we are taking to deliver against this include:
- Encouraging input and engagement of the membership through effective committees, SAGs, and TAGs. Participating in committees and advisory groups provides opportunity for input into Association strategy and operations. The ZAA Executive Team supports effective committee operations to facilitate these opportunities.
- A ZAA brand update aimed at delivering a stronger message of conservation and positive animal welfare to reflect the priorities of the membership and assure the community that ZAA members take the positive welfare of their animals and the future of wildlife biodiversity seriously.
- An updated Comms calendar to reflect the news that is most important to the membership and drive support, awareness, and adoption for action against global challenges
- We will be updating our website, portal and CPOS to improve useability and increase the resources available to the membership.
- We have a great conference planned for August, aimed at maximising networking opportunities and delivering the best learning opportunities possible.
2: Provide further support and focus for private regional members
Some of the actions we are taking to deliver against this include:
- A formal leadership development program to support directors and aspiring directors. The program includes development facilitated by external consultants and a formal director level mentorship program from within the membership. This will not only facilitate network building, but also provide smaller organisations with the tools and support that they may not have had access to in the past.
- The ZAA office are committed to better understanding the needs and challenges of our private regional members. Keep an eye out for comms in the coming weeks to provide feedback on what’s important to you.
- Annual community perception research to provide private regional members with public insights that may not be otherwise accessible.
3: Increased training opportunities across all ZAA services
Some of the actions we are taking to deliver against this include:
- While phase 1 of our leadership development program will focus on directors and aspiring directors, phase 2 will provide an opportunity for members to access team development services relevant for staff across all levels – from leadership development through to more functional development in how to be an effective species coordinator or accreditation liaison officer.
- The ZAA office is committed to best practice training and resources for SMP and Accreditation. The development of bite sized training videos, how-to guides and information sessions will aim to support members across all styles of learning.
- External facilitators have been booked to host workshops during the ZAA annual conference in August to provide support to members in their journeys towards building meaningful cultural relationships with Mana Whenua and Traditional Custodians.
4: Further recognition and support with government and third parties
Some of the actions we are taking to deliver against this include:
- ZAA is committed to continued relationship building for increased recognition across country, federal and state levels of government in support of policy review, consultation and funding opportunities for the membership.
- Continued IRA coordination for the hippo work that is currently in progress as well as consultation with the membership for determination of the next priority IRA in Australia. ZAA’s agreement with MPI continues for New Zealand IRA processes.
- Australasian representation at global conservation conventions.
- ZAA coordination of Wildlife Health Australia partnership for wildlife health and biosecurity – executed through ZAA member wildlife rehabilitation centres.
The ZAA office are thankful for the continued feedback and opportunity to further improve the way we support the membership. If you have any further feedback or constructive ideas on how you would like to be supported, please reach out to [email protected]