Annual nominations for Touching Base Committee of Management are now open

The President

Is committed to and upholds the objectives and goals of Touching Base;

Makes sure proper notice of meetings is provided and that Committee meetings, the AGM and other general meetings, are run in accordance with the Touching Base Constitution;

Makes sure there is an agenda for meetings;

In our Constitution it says the President attends and chairs all meetings of The Committee, ensuring that decisions are reached and that decisions are properly understood and recorded – but in practice we alternate the role of Chair to allow others to practice and hone their leadership skills;

In the event of an equality of votes on any question, the President (or other person presiding) may exercise a second or casting vote;

Makes sure all legal responsibilities are met;

Is the spokesperson for The Committee and the organisation as required;

Takes part in working groups or subcommittees.

The Vice-President

Is committed to and upholds the objectives and goals of Touching Base;

Attends all meetings of The Committee as required;

In the president’s absence, the vice-president is to preside over meetings.

Takes on roles and activities as delegated by The Committee;

Supports the President in their role;

Takes part in working groups or subcommittees.

The Secretary

The Secretary of the association must, as soon as practicable after being appointed as Secretary, lodge notice with the association of his or her address.

Is committed to and upholds the objectives and goals of Touching Base;

Attends all meetings of The Committee as required;

Assists the President with agenda preparation;

It is the duty of the Secretary to take minutes (which are to be typed up, distributed and filed appropriately) of:

(a) all appointments of office-bearers and members of The Committee

(b) the names of members at a meeting, and

(c) notes of all proceedings at committee meetings and general meetings;

Makes sure that all incoming postal mail is processed;

Maintains the membership register, including advising members when their membership is due for renewal;

Takes part in working groups or subcommittees.

The Treasurer

Is committed to and upholds the objectives and goals of Touching Base;

Attends all meetings of The Committee as required;

Makes sure that adequate financial management systems are in place;

It is the duty of the treasurer of the association to ensure:

(a) that all money due to the association is collected and received and that all payments authorised by the association are made, and

(b) that correct books and accounts are kept showing the financial affairs of the association including full details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities of the association;

Makes sure that regular financial reports are prepared and presented to The Committee;

Makes sure financial records are audited at the end of each financial year and that the financial reports are produced as required by the Constitution;

Takes part in working groups or subcommittees.

Ordinary members of The Committee

The ordinary members of The Committee have full speaking and voting rights at any meeting or other decision making process of The Committee;

Are committed to and uphold the objectives and goals of Touching Base;

Attend all meetings of The Committee as required;

Take part in working groups or subcommittees;

Carry out other duties as delegated by The Committee.

Stay aware of the Touching Base Constitution and the general roles and responsibilities of The Committee.

For more information about the governance obligations of The Committee the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) has produced a fact sheet called Governance for good – the ACNC’s guide for charity board to help both new and existing Committee Members in their role – which you can access via the following link: https://www.acnc.gov.au/tools/factsheets/responsible-people-board-or-committee-members