Board Positions

Chairperson

The role of the Chairperson is to provide the principle leadership and responsibility for the organisation and the Committee.

The Chairperson should:

Be well informed of all organisation activities and able to provide oversight
Be a person who can develop good relationships internally and externally
Be forward-thinking and committed to meeting the overall goals of the Board
Have a good working knowledge of the Committee Constitution, rules, and duties of office bearers
Be able to work collaboratively with other Committee Members
Be a good listener and attuned to the interests of members and other interest groups
Be a good role model and a positive image for the Board in representing the Committee in other forums (e.g. delegate meetings)
Be a competent public speaker

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Chair Committee meetings ensuring that they are run efficiently and effectively
Act as a signatory for the Board in all legal purposes and financial purposes
Regularly focus the Committee’s attention on matters of Board governance that relate to its own structure, role, and relationship to any paid employees
Periodically consult with Committee members on their role, to see how they are going and help them to optimize their contribution

Work with the Committee to ensure:

The necessary skills are represented on the Committee and that a succession plan is in place to help find new Committee members when required
Goals and relevant strategic and business plans are developed to achieve the goals of the Board.
Work with the Executive to manage any paid employees of the Board including recruitment, retention etc.
Serve as a spokesperson for the Board when required

Assist in the development of partnerships with sponsors, funding agencies, local and state government and organisations that are relevant to the goals of the Board.

Vice-Chairperson

The role of the Vice Chairperson is to shadow the Chairperson in providing leadership and responsibility for the organisation and the Committee and to step into the Chairperson’s roles where needed. It is often considered that the Vice-Chairperson will succeed the Chairperson and that this role is in preparation.

The Vice-Chairperson should:

Be well informed of all organisation activities and able to provide oversight
Be a person who can develop good relationships internally and externally
Be willing to step in for the Chairperson where needed including chairing meetings
Be forward-thinking and committed to meeting the overall goals of the Board
Have a good working knowledge of the Committee Constitution, rules, and duties of office bearers
Be able to work collaboratively with other Committee Members
Be a good listener and attuned to the interests of members and other interest groups
Be a good role model and a positive image for the Board in representing the Committee in other forums
Be a competent public speaker
Be able to raise concerns with the Chairperson where they arise

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

In the event of the Chairperson is unable to fulfil their duties to step into that role
In the absence of the Chairperson, to chair Committee meetings ensuring that they are run efficiently and effectively
Be an alternate signatory for the Boards for legal purposes and financial purposes
Assist the Chairperson in deciding which matters are dealt with by the Executive, the full Committee and delegated to Committees
Coordinate Committee planning to ensure appropriate plans are developed, presented to, and reviewed by the Committee, and enacted as required
Represent the Committee at meetings and forums as agreed with by the Chairperson
Other duties as nominated by the Chairperson and/or Committee

Treasurer

The role of the Treasurer is to be responsible for the financial supervision of the YWA to allow the Committee to provide good governance. The Treasurer is responsible to regularly report on the YWA‘s financial status to both the Committee and the YWA members.

The treasurer should have:

Good organisational skills
Has some financial expertise
Ability to maintain timely and accurate records
Dedicated YWA person
Honest/Trustworthy
Computer skills
Good communication skills

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Provide advice to the Committee in their management of the finances
Administer all financial affairs of the Board
Lead the annual budget process and ensure an appropriate annual budget is provided to the Committee for approval
Ensure development and Committee review of financial policies and procedures
Provide financial reports for auditing
Provide completed auditors reports for CAV Incorporation required auditing processes
Receipt of all incoming monies
Bank all monies received
Pay all accounts
Maintain accurate records of all income and expenditure
Ensure that all receipts and payments concur with bank deposits and withdrawals
Monthly financial reports – present at monthly committee meetings
Arrange and despatch invoices for periodical payment
Issue yearly or ½ yearly membership fee invoices
Keep an accurate record of all membership payments
Be a signatory on the YWA account

Secretary

The Secretary should:

Be organised
Have computer skills
Be a good communicator
Have time management and organisational skills
Be able to keep confidential matters confidential.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Maintain records of the Committee and ensure effective management of YWA records
Manage Minutes of Committee meetings, including either recording the Minutes or ensuring the Minutes Secretary does so, and ensuring minutes are distributed to members shortly after each meeting and no later than 7 days
Development of the agenda in consultation with other Committee members and distribution prior to the meeting
Is sufficiently familiar with all current Board documents to note applicability during meetings
Is responsible for ensuring that accurate and sufficient documentation exists to meet legal requirements
Enable and authorise people to help with the Committee’s business. This includes signing a copy of the final approved Minutes and ensuring that the signed copy is maintained
Ensure that the records of the Board are maintained as required by law and made available when required by authorised persons. These records may include founding documents, lists of Committee members, Committee meeting Minutes, financial reports, and other official records
The Secretary ensures that official records are maintained of members of the Board and Committee. He / she ensure that these records are available when required for reports, elections, referenda, other votes, etc.
Provide an up-to-date copy of the Constitution and bylaws at all meetings.
Ensure that proper notification is given of Committee meetings as specified in the bylaws
Manage the general correspondence of the Committee except for such correspondence assigned to others
Help and lead the Committee in providing systematic communication from the Committee members and other relevant stakeholders
Provide a summary of Committee Minutes for distribution to all members via website and noticeboards
Provide all reports for auditing purposes required by CAV Incorporation Act
The Secretary may also be the nominated person to receive and file relevant Police Check records or Working with Children documentation.

Professional Members

We invite individuals with professional backgrounds to apply for membership. The YWA endeavours to have a well-rounded Board to provide support for the Association. The YWA like other professional organisations required the expertise of a wide range of individuals who has:

Have financial expertise
Have business Acumen
Have organisational management skills
Have experience in the Youth Work Sector
Provide advocacy on behalf of young people
Provide support to youth workers in the field

Have knowledge and experience in all aspects of services required by young people these include:

Housing
Medical
Health
Mental Health
Alcohol and Other Services
Education and education pathways

General Members

Any member of Youth Workers’ Australia can apply for a position on the Board as a general member, any applicants should hold a current position within the sector.

The YWA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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