These days, budget stringency and cost-cutting measures occupy organisational thinking. Budget overruns and the need to cost cut in education is front and centre in the NT. The issue of budget context is a primary conversational point with budgetary constraints is becoming more and more urgent. Cost cutting and reprioritising of expenditure is the order of the day.

In that context that I am somewhat bemused by an area in which logical and legitimate curtailment could be made, without reducing the effectiveness or efficiency of operations. In fact, the reverse may apply.

Meeting on-line

It is paradoxical that in an era of cost cutting and pruning, one domain which seems to be never curtailed and forever expanded is that of travel and accommodation costs associated with meetings, conferences and gatherings. Without being too cynical, it seems that every opportunity possible is taken to travel for the purpose of meetings and conference opportunities. Some meetings attended last for very short periods of time but that doesn’t reduce travel costs. Anecdotal evidence about constant attendance at intra-territory, interstate and overseas meetings is abundant. Whenever you ring wanting to talk to people at middle and upper level management, it seems that they are somewhere around the Territory or away from the Territory attending meetings or going to conferences. As well significant proportions of school controlled budgets are allocated to funding for professional development travel purposes.

Change Needed

There is absolutely no need for these constant gatherings. They are disruptive, detract from work function and add huge budgetary burdens. One of the first changes I would make as a government minister or departmental head would be to institute a program of meeting online through whichever of the technologies was most appropriate. It could be by teleconference, video-conferencing, Skype or some other cyberspace methodology. Meetings would be instantaneous. Within the framework of reasonableness, people could connect worldwide and engage in conversation of the subject under discussion. While socialisation and getting together are important, the issue of time utilisation and cost saving makes this method one needing further exploration.

I became involved with online conferencing in the late 1990’s and during the following years attended many significant conferences that had world-wide connection. They were extremely well organised, followed carefully constructed timetables and operated on a 24/7 basis. Online discussion and later video linking helped make these connections relevant, focussed and timely. Importantly, as a school principal, I remained on duty at my workplace. At the same time I had the opportunity to extend my professional horizons by contributing online to conferences and professional gatherings.

Several years ago the Association of Northern Territory School Educational Leaders (ANTSEL) organised its Biennial Conference through online method. Conference contributors involved through video linkage in the sharing of papers and discussion threads on topics. This conference was one of the cheapest ever planned. It was also one of the most successful in terms of its organisational structure. 

Setting Priorities

Gatherings of people are important. However they incur significant expenditure and involve regular absence from work. In the interests of better effectiveness and efficiency and more considered utilisation of budgets I strongly suggest that online alternatives of meeting and gathering through cyberspace links be explored.

Airline companies, convention organisers and accommodation providers may not be particularly impressed by this alternative method of gathering. However, in the interests of budget setting and establishing careful expenditure priorities, I would encourage an examination of this alternative conferencing and meeting method.