Governance
VCOSS is governed by a board of nine elected directors and up to three coopted directors. All board members are non-executive directors and receive no remuneration for their services.
The Board guides and monitors the business and affairs of VCOSS on behalf of the members. The Board is elected from the membership at the annual general meeting and is accountable to members.
VCOSS is a company limited by guarantee. Under corporations law VCOSS is required to report to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
The elected office bearers of VCOSS are registered with ASIC and are bound by the requirements of corporation law.
The Board elect the president and appoint the CEO to lead the operations of the organisation. As per the VCOSS Constitution, the CEO is also appointed as company secretary by the Board.
VCOSS ConstitutionCurrent VCOSS Board members
| President Micaela Cronin Associate Member Chief Executive Officer MacKillop Family Services Year appointed: 2005 |
Vice President Kim Koop Associate Member Chief Executive Officer VICSERV Year appointed: 2011 |
| Treasurer Eric Passaris Associate Member Partner, Audit & Assurance Grant Thorton Australia Year appointed: 2002 |
Stella Avramopoulos Associate Member Chief Executive Office Kildonan UnitingCare Year appointed: 2011 |
| David Brant Associate Member Disability and community advocate Executive Director The Victorian Universal Housing Alliance Year appointed: 2006 |
Ric Holland Associate Member Chief Executive Officer Melbourne City Mission Year appointed: 2012 |
| Tony Lang Associate Member Barrister Year appointed: 1998 |
John Lawrence Associate Member Executive Director UnitingCare Gippsland Year appointed: 2009 |
| Paul McDonald Associate Member Chief Executive Officer Anglicare Victoria Year appointed: 2010 |
Dale Renner Associate Member Director Iconic Consulting Year appointed: 2008 |
| Kim Sykes Associate Member Chief Executive Officer Bendigo Community Health Service Year appointed: 2012 |
Jodie Willmer Associate Member Chief Executive Officer Travellers Aid Australia Year appointed: 2009 |
Board policies
In December 2011, the VCOSS Board of Directors endorsed a set of governance policies that incorporate the six principles of good governance and leadership as outlined in the Good Governance Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector (2nd ed, 2010), modified for Australia and VCOSS’ own circumstances.
Strategic plan
To achieve the organisations objectives, VCOSS maintains a four year Strategic Plan (2011-14). The Strategic Plan articulates the guiding principles and activities to achieve the organisations strategic directions which are:
- Advocate for social justice
- Build a strong community sector
- Strength our public presence
- Collaborate for greater impact
- Sustain a healthy organisation.
To facilitate the effective implementation of the Strategic Plan, the Management Team develop an annual Operational Plan which outlines the organisations priorities and activities against the four year strategic directions in the form of measurable targets. As part of the annual planning cycle, the Management Team systematically monitor the organisations achievements against the operational plan’s targets.
To further support the Chief Executive Officer in the monitoring and delivery of the organisations objectives the Board of Directors have established the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. The aim of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee is to promote a risk and compliance culture across VCOSS. The Committee provides an efficient mechanism for focusing the organisation on verifying and safeguarding the integrity of the organisation’s financial and risk reporting and management.
For a copy of the VCOSS Strategic Plan please contact Claire.Bauska@vcoss.org.au.