ABOUT US

The Y Canberra Region (formally known as YMCA of Canberra Ltd) is a local not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is simple: help children and young people thrive in a connected community. This is an exciting time for the Y Canberra Region as we look to consolidate our commercial operations and expand programs that will make a positive impact on the lives of young people.

The Y Canberra Region has been part of the Canberra community since 1941, growing side by side with local people, families, youth and community. The Y Canberra Region is committed to empowering and inspiring young people through providing quality programs across children's services, fitness and recreation, and accommodation.

At the Y Canberra Region, our safeguarding vision is that all children and young people are empowered to feel safe and be safe at the Y, in their families and in their communities. The safety of children and young people is the highest priority of the Y Canberra Region and is highly valued by the families who access our services and programs. The Y Canberra Region is committed to inclusion and diversity, we welcome and encourage applications from individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, ages and identities.

For more information on our mission and purpose, please visit our website.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking two new members to work alongside our existing seven Board Directors. The people we are seeking will further strengthen and contribute actively to a full range of Board governance matters and will bring specific expertise in the areas of:

• Property planning and development in the ACT (this successful applicant will also be a member of the Board’s Development Committee); and
• Cyber security.

YOUR COMMITMENT

Our Board meets regularly throughout the year with a requirement to attend 80% of ordinary Board meetings and Committee meetings, as well as attendance at the Annual General Meeting and the annual strategy planning day; approximating a contribution of at least five hours per month.

Board meetings are held once every two months and Committee meetings are held as required.

Directors are appointed to casual vacancies and must stand for election at the following AGM, usually held in October. Following election, Directors are appointed for a three-year term.

REMUNERATION AND REIMBURSEMENT

This is a voluntary position and will not be remunerated.

Directors are allocated an annual allowance of $2,000 for costs associated with professional development and training activities, which includes (where appropriate) travel, accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

As a skills-based Board, Directors are recruited for the skills, experience, and competencies they have developed from their personal and professional activities and which they will continue to develop while on the Board. The Board is seeking to recruit Directors with:

• An understanding of property planning and development in the ACT or cyber security;
• A broad network and experience in driving business development through a strong strategy and advocacy program;
• Skills in establishing and retaining relationships between stakeholder partnerships, local community organisations and local and state government departments;
• An ability to be collaborative, make bold decisions and support organisations to deepen their impact;
• A capacity to engage in strategic, social enterprise thinking and to understand issues at a detailed and ‘big-picture’ level; and
• A passion for purpose organisations, youth empowerment and advocacy.

The requirements of these positions include the following:

• Relevant qualifications including contemporary governance education and best practice corporate principles (e.g. AICD accreditation);
• Experience in, or a sound understanding of, board governance and risk functions;
• An understanding of the not-for-profit sector is desirable; and
• People under 30 and from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply - our goal is for the Board to reflect the diverse community that we live and operate in.

SAFEGUARDING

The Y Canberra Region is Safeguarding accredited by the Australian Childhood Foundation and meets the Safeguarding Licensing Standards of Y National covering areas such as recruitment, training and building a safeguarding culture.

At the Y Canberra Region, we are committed to empowering all children and young people to feel safe and be safe, at the Y, in their families, and in their communities. As such, we require successful candidates to be appropriately screened (including police checks) and obtain a Working With Vulnerable People card to ensure the right people are in the right roles.

Any successfully appointed Director will also be required to adhere to the Y Canberra Region’s Safeguarding Children and Young People framework and complete Safeguarding Children and Young People training requirements.

To learn more about our Safeguarding policies, click here to view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.

Please submit any questions about the role, to [email protected], using the subject line: Board Directors (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.