Board Directors - Rainbow Families
Rainbow Families is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people to join the Rainbow Families Board of Directors (the Board). All Rainbow Families Directors are unpaid volunteers.The Board is responsible for the strategic direction and governance of Rainbow Families and ensuring that Rainbow Families is meeting all its legal, financial and ethical obligations. The Board is led by a diverse and inclusive group of LGBTQ+ people and reflects the diversity of our communities.
We are actively looking to increase the diversity on our Board to reflect the diversity of the communities with which we work. We are particularly interested in working with First Nations people, people from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, neurodivergent people, and LGBTQ+ individuals including those who are trans and gender diverse.
Not looking for a Board Role but still looking to help? Rainbow Families also have a range of opportunities to volunteer. You can register your interest here.
About Us
Rainbow Families Inc reduces suffering and disadvantage of LGBTQ+ families. Suffering may include bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination. Disadvantage may include social exclusion, discrimination, stereotyping and stigma. Our purpose is to relieve suffering and disadvantage of LGBTQ+ families by providing resources and support for LGBTQ+ families and education to the wider community about the value of LGBTQ+ families within our communities.
Rainbow Families Objectives
Rainbow Families’ objects are to pursue the following charitable purposes:
We relieve poverty, distress and disadvantage of LGBTQ+ families by:
- Connecting, supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ families through peer support, community events, on-line support and playgroups;
- Developing and delivering education and resources including: parenting, making LGBTQ+ families, building resilience in children, and domestic violence; and
- Providing community education to reduce discrimination and promote inclusion of LGBTQ+ families.
- Raising funds for any of the purposes or things above
About The Role
The Board is legally responsible for Rainbow Families. That means the decisions of Directors (the people who make up The Board) must be made in the best interests of the organisation. Directors must also make sure they understand the decisions they are making, and that they are legal and ethical. You can do this by asking questions, requesting the Board seek advice from specialists, or by asking for more time to consider your decision.
Directors are also responsible for championing Rainbow Families. This means that Directors should be able to talk about the important work Rainbow Families is doing and be able to rally support for the organisation.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission calls Directors “Responsible Persons” and states that Responsible Persons must:
- act with reasonable care and diligence
- act honestly and fairly in the best interests of the charity and for its charitable purposes
- not misuse their position or information they gain as a Responsible Person
- disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest
- ensure that the financial affairs of the charity are managed responsibly, and
- not allow the charity to operate while it is insolvent.
The NSW Department of Fair Trading also has information at Management committee | NSW Fair Trading
Directors are elected to the Rainbow Families Board. The Board also has office-bearers who have additional responsibilities. There is the Chair, the Secretary and the Treasurer.
Director’s Commitments
Directors are required to comply with laws that apply to Rainbow Families and the Rainbow Families Constitution (the rules that govern Rainbow Families), to follow Rainbow Families policies and procedures (including a Code of Conduct), and to make sure that they don’t act in ways that could damage Rainbow Families’s reputation.
Directors are required to attend Board meetings. There are at least 6 each year, however The Board can decide to meet more often. Currently The Board meets every month on the 3rd Thursday, 6-7pm. Directors receive pre-reading (“Board papers”) the week before to assist them in preparing for the meeting. The Board also communicates via email outside of Board meetings and can make decisions via circular resolution (outside formal meetings via email). If there is an urgent issue, the Board may call additional meetings outside of the regular schedule. The Board may also organise training, planning and/or strategy days.
Induction and Training
Whilst all that might seem like a lot, you’re not on your own! The Board works together and everybody has a different skill set. We also provide an induction and training process for new Directors, and the Board engages in regular training sessions to help everyone understand their role and responsibility better.
Selection Criteria
- Understanding of the ACNC Responsible Persons and NSW Fair Trading Committee Members responsibilities and duties.
- Are not on the ASIC banned and disqualified register or the ACNC disqualified persons register
- Willingness to get a NSW Working with Children Check for volunteers.
- Passionate about LGBTQ+ wellbeing and Rainbow Families
- Understanding of the diversity of the LGBTQ+ communities
- Knowledge of key issues for LGBTQ+ people in NSW
- Stable internet connection for video conference Board Meetings
- Able to commit to attending Board meetings as required, as well as additional meetings and/or days as the Board agrees.
At Rainbow Families we’re focused on ensuring our Board has an appropriate set of skills to govern the organisation. Specifically we’re seeking expressions of interest from people that have skills or experience in the following areas:
- Board Chair
- Corporate / Charity Governance
- Finance and Financial Reporting in a Non-Profit Organisation
- Company Secretarial skills for a public company or non-profit.
- Equality / Government Relations
- Community Engagement
- Sustainability
Application Process
Complete the Rainbow Families Board Director, Expression of Interest form by October 15th 2023
Next Steps
We’ll let all applicants know if they were successful or not by email and / or phone.
If you are successful we will need to collect some additional information:
- Your legal name and Director ID.
- Your residential address.
- Directors ID
- Working With Children Check
- Signed copies of the Rainbow Families Confidentiality Agreement (this states that you will not share confidential information outside of Rainbow Families ) and Agreement to Act (this states that you agree to become a Director of Rainbow Families and understand your responsibilities).
If you have any questions, please contact Public Officer / Executive Director, Ashley Scott - [email protected]