ASTI Annual Convention

The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland is a trade union for secondary school teachers in Ireland. The union represents 18,000 teachers in schools throughout Ireland attended by 80% of all second-level students.

Challenge

Creating a Virtual Event which replicates a normal Convention as much as possible. By ensuring delivery of important information and does not stifle debate among delegates. We meet with our Clients to fully understand the complexities and requirements surrounding online registration & security in general. Also facilitating secure virtual Voting and providing real time information of vote outcomes.

All of which key function of the Union in delivering effective representation for all its membership.

The Solution

Our IT department set about building a registration process to provide a secure convention with encryption. We had an authenticate process which used a unique per-person registration to confirm the identity of each participant attempting to join the convention.

We also developed a procedure in conjunction with the ASTI that allowed for interaction with remote delegates to speak for and against motions that were debated ahead of votes.

It was decided by our client that the convention should be conducted from their Head Office. We provided full lighting, Camera & sound packages with all IT equipment. Which we set in advance to allow for technical and client rehearsals ahead of the all-important day.

Our 3-member technical team looking after the operation of the convention has a combined experience of 55 years in the industry, so safe hands on the day!

The Result

With all the delegates registration verified and rehearsals a success we were good to go. The day became with the ASTI Presidents address by Deirdre Mac Donald who was the first Presidents in the Unions 100-year history to preside over a Virtual Convention.

There were numerous motions which need the consideration of delegates this was facilitated virtually and moderated by the President. Everyone got to hear their colleagues position and as equally important see them. In this situation it’s great to place a face to a name! All of which allowed for a free-flowing informative discussion.

There was an address from General Secretary Kieran Christie and closing remarks by the President, these were streamed live to facilitate the Press coverage of the Convention.

The Convention was attended by over 400 delegates which was a great success. All votes were taken and verified in real time which allowed the ASTI to complete the body of work needed to go forward representing their members in these challenging times ultimately keeping schools open.

The Final Word from Jacqueline Kearns, ASTI

“I have worked closely with AVC on a number of events, conferences and meetings over the years and continue to do so. I have always found Seamus, John and their team to be extremely professional, reliable and effective. AVC recently facilitated our first Online Convention which catered for more than 350 participants from all over Ireland and included real-time online voting.

I would recommend AVC as they deliver a professional and quality service every time.”