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Board Director (AUST)
posted 20 hours ago in Governance , in LeadershipJob Description
| Mary’s Meals Australia
Trustee role description |
- Trustee role purpose
| Mary’s Meals is a global movement that sets up school feeding programs in some of the world’s poorest communities, where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education. We provide a daily meal in a place of learning across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, attracting children to the classroom and giving them the energy to learn and thrive. Mary’s Meals Australia supports this mission by raising awareness and funds, engaging with Australian supporters, and fostering partnerships that enable us to reach more hungry children. It currently costs $34.80 AUD to feed a child for a whole school year.
The role of the trustee is to contribute to the work of the Mary’s Meals Australia board in governing the organisation effectively and in furthering Mary’s Meals’ charitable objectives, in accordance with our vision, mission, values, best practice and any other relevant legislation. We are particularly seeking candidates who can support awareness raising and fundraising amongst high net worth individuals, philanthropic families and businesses. Ultimately, you will be a champion and ambassador for Mary’s Meals’ mission. |
- Trustee person specification
| Mary’s Meals Australia trustees must have: | |
| 2.1 | Personal belief in and commitment to Mary’s Meals’ vision, mission and values |
| 2.2 | Deep understanding of and respect for Mary’s Meals’ origins. |
| 2.3 | Dedication to upholding, protecting and sustaining Mary’s Meals’ values, origins and distinctive approach. |
| 2.4 | Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. |
| 2.5 | High-level strategic vision and the ability to think innovatively. |
| 2.6 | Capacity to contribute actively to the strategic direction of Mary’s Meals Australia. |
| 2.7 | A record of great personal integrity and behaviours consistent with Mary’s Meals’ values. |
| 2.8 | Experience of making a significant and effective contribution to the work of another charitable, public sector or commercial organisation. |
| 2.9 | The ability and desire to work as part of a board which makes collective decisions and accepts corporate responsibility for decision-making. |
| 2.10 | Capacity for careful thought and consideration, coupled with the willingness and courage to speak their mind. |
| 2.11 | A record of good, independent judgement. |
| 2.12 | The ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and, where necessary, confidentially. |
| 2.13 | A commitment to serving the particular needs of Mary’s Meals Australia while always in a spirit of solidarity and togetherness with the global Mary’s Meals movement. |
| 2.14 | A readiness to draw on their skills, experience, expertise and access to networks in service of Mary’s Meals’ mission. |
| 2.15 | Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their role as a trustee, particularly through attendance at board meetings. |
- Trustee commitments and renumeration
| 3.1 | Quarterly board meetings: The Mary’s Meals Australia Board will meet around four times per year. In between meetings, communication takes place via email and, on occasion, telephone. |
| 3.2 | Other time commitments: In addition to this time commitment above, trustees are occasionally asked to represent Mary’s Meals at events, meetings, or in media when needed. They may also choose to volunteer their time to support the staff team on particular projects or priorities. Trustees are also welcome to attend the annual, international Mary’s Meals Family Pilgrimage in October each year. |
| 3.3 | Term Limits: Initial term of 3 years, renewable by mutual agreement. |
| 3.4 | Renumeration: In accord with our commitment to stewardship of the donor’s dollar, this is a voluntary position with no formal renumeration structure. |
- Trustee key responsibilities
| Mary’s Meals Australia trustees have responsibility for: | |
| 4.1 | Seeking, in good faith, to ensure the charity operates in a manner consistent with its purposes; vision, mission and values; and articles of association. |
| 4.2 | Upholding, protecting and sustaining Mary’s Meals’ values, origins and ways of doing things. |
| 4.3 | Acting with care and diligence in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries, making sure the charity is run properly, responsibly and lawfully. |
| 4.4 | Ensuring the charity’s assets are used prudently and only to advance its charitable purposes. |
| 4.5 | Managing any conflict of interest between the charity and any person or organisation who appoints trustees. |
| 4.6 | Ensuring compliance with relevant charity law. |
| 4.7 | Ensuring the organisation strives to achieve governance best practice. |
| 4.8 | Building and maintaining strong relationships with fellow trustees and the organisation’s executive staff. |
| 4.9 | Approving the overall strategy and budget for the organisation, contributing to the formulation of strategic aims and objectives, and regularly monitoring and evaluating progress against this agreed strategy. |
| 4.10 | Overseeing the effective and efficient administration of the charity, ensuring financial stability, security and probity, and good stewardship of the resources entrusted to Mary’s Meals Australia. |
| 4.11 | Keeping themselves informed of the charity’s activities and financial position, with the essential objective of ensuring the charity is, and will remain, solvent. |
| 4.12 | Identifying, monitoring and mitigating risks, and avoiding undertaking activities which might place the charity’s beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, property, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk. |
| 4.13 | Ensuring organisational policies and practices comply with the aims and values of the organisation, and that policies and practices are correctly adhered to. |
| 4.14 | Utilising their specific skills, knowledge and experience to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions – through such activities as scrutinising reports and proposals; initiating, leading and contributing to discussions; and providing well-informed advice or guidance. |
| 4.15 | Introducing Mary’s Meals personnel to contacts within their network to aid awareness-raising and the pursuit of our vision. |
- Trustee essential reading/watching
| Resource title | Link | |
| 5.1 | Child 31 Film | Child 31 – The Story of Mary’s Meals |
| 5.2 | The Shed That Fed A Million Children by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow | The Shed That Fed a Million Children: The Extraordinary Story of Mary’s Meals : MacFarlane-Barrow, Magnus: Amazon.com.au: Books |
| 5.3 | Mary’s Meals’ Statement Of Values | Microsoft Word – Value statement 2020 – dec |
| 5.4 | Mary’s Meals Australia Strategic Plan | [Link to be shared via. email). |
| 5.5 | ACNC Governance Standards 15min Podcast (Variable Speed) | ACNC Governance Standards | ACNC |
| 5.6 | Not Mandatory…
Other Mary’s Meals Films, Give: Magnus’ 2nd book, and Foundation Stones of Mary’s Meals from Magnus’ first book and distilled here, if desired. |
(7) Mary’s Meals – YouTube and amazon.com.au/Give-Journey-Back-Heart-Charity/dp/0008360014 and Foundation Stones_0.pdf |
