Site navigation

Board roles

The Board uses the Carver model of policy governance. This means that the Board has three main responsibilities:

  1. Stewardship of the organisation, on behalf of members, donors and supporters
  2. To monitor the financial, ethical and regulatory performance of the organisation
  3. To appoint the Executive Director, and hold him/her accountable for the organisation’s performance

Simply put, the Board exists to be accountable that the organisation works.

Oxfam Australia is a complex and substantial organisation. The Board delegates management of Oxfam Australia to the Executive Director; he/she and other highly skilled and professional staff have day-to-day responsibility for the work of the organisation. The Board’s role is very different, but equally important.

The Board is responsible for the leadership of the organisation. This involves:

Ensuring organisational accountability

Oxfam Australia is accountable to a wide range of stakeholders including donors and supporters, communities we work with, agencies that fund us and other Oxfams. It is vital that we understand the impact of our work on those whose rights we seek to advance, as well as maintain our credibility with donors, supporters and the general public.

Assessment

The Board assesses how policies are being put into action and whether they are in line with the organisation’s values. One recent example is the decision to withdraw from the Horn of Africa and Central America and Mexico. This was a very difficult decision but it was made as part of the Strategic Plan.

Not many organisations of the size and scale of Oxfam Australia give members the opportunity to directly elect the Board. It is something we are proud of, and Oxfam Australia does need a highly skilled, vibrant and energetic Board to function well.

Why stand for election to the Board?

If you are a supporter of Oxfam’s work, being on the Board gives you a real opportunity to contribute your skills and time in a very special way. You see the organisation from the inside, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that without the work of the Board, the organisation would lose that very special quality of Oxfam – its accessibility, its openness to members and supporters, and its commitment to making a real difference to the lives of people we work for. This has been a hallmark of the organisation over its history, and continues to make it unique today.

Please think about standing for election to the Board.

What we need from Board members:

1. It takes time!
Board meetings are quarterly, over a Friday and Saturday. A number of hours are needed to read Board papers prior to the meeting.

Board members need to keep up-to-date with issues around development, what is happening politically, and with Oxfam Australia activities. Board members are also expected to be available to serve on Board committees or working parties, and/or on the Board of a subsidiary or related entity. These committees often meet during the week. Most Board meetings take place in Melbourne, but the Trading Board meets in Adelaide. Many committee meetings are held by teleconference.

2. It takes a willingness to learn
While we all have competencies in some areas, being on the Board challenges us to ongoing learning so we can perform our role better. A willingness to grow in the role and undertake specific training is really important. There are funds available to pay for courses, conferences and other learning opportunities.

3. Email access is essential
Without email you will not be able to keep up with the flow of information, discussion and work between Board meetings.