Non-Executive Director – Charity Board

Board Composition:

The Little Big Steps Board is composed of individuals who bring a wide array of skills including:  Strategic Thinking, Board Governance, Finance, Legal, Project Management, Industry/NFP/Fundraising and Marketing/PR/Communications.

The Director position is a voluntary role. The term for each Director is one (1) year. Multiple terms can be served.  

Board Responsibilities:

The Little Big Steps Board is a working board with the expectation that each Director will make a significant and proactive contribution to the organisation. Collaboratively, the Little Big Steps Board is responsible for:

• strategic direction of the organisation;
• keeping appropriate Minutes and records of Board meetings and decisions;
• oversight of the activities of key strategic initiatives, permanent and special-purpose committees; and
• delegation of powers to and setting remuneration of the executive office.

As a working board with a small executive, the expectation of the Board and each Director is to substantially commit to key activity streams such as, but not limited to:

• brand development and awareness;
• fundraising including sharing personal connections;
• donor and other key stakeholder management;
• contractual governance; and
• program development and oversight.

Role and Responsibilities:

As our organisation continues to grow, which naturally includes the entering into increasing contractual agreements, we are looking for a professional with legal qualifications and/or a strong legal background, to join our working board.

Beyond the wider expectations of acting as a Board Director, this role will have a clear expectation to oversee and advise on various legal and contractual matters for the organisation.

Knowledge, Experience and Attributes

As a working board, we are looking for a passionate individual, excited by the opportunity to actively participate in the various strategic and operational activities required for us to achieve key organisational goals.  

As such, the ideal candidate has:

• Excellent communication skills;
• A solutions-focused mindset; and
• Exceptional attention to detail.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• A valid working with children check, or willingness to promptly obtain;
• Legal and contract management experience;
• The ability to communicate actionable insights to a variety of audiences;
• Excellent knowledge and recent experience in organisational governance; and
• Australian Institute of Company Directors credentials would be highly regarded.

Legal Duties:

As a charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth), Directors must comply with these governance standards (instead of the normal Corporations Act duties):

• to exercise powers and discharge duties with the degree of care and diligence that a reasonable individual would exercise if they were a director of the registered entity;
• to act in good faith in the charity’s best interests, and to further the purposes of the charity;
• not to misuse the position;
• not to misuse information obtained in the performance of their duties as a director of the charity;
• to disclose any perceived or actual material conflicts of interest;
• to ensure that the charity’s financial affairs are managed in a responsible manner;
• not to allow the charity to operate while insolvent.

Meetings:

Currently, the Board meets on a quarterly basis.  Special meetings may be held from time to time, and the quorum for any meeting is three Directors.  All Directors are expected to have read all pre-reading materials.

Time Commitment:

Approximately 10 hours per month.