Board Secretary

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Board Secretary Position Description
Position overview**
**Position title**First Step Board Secretary

**Program**N/A

**Position objective**In addition to fulfilling the responsibilities of a First

Step Board Member, ensure that the First Step

Board operates in accordance with best-practice

governance and compliance practices and adheres

to its legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations.

**Job classification**This is a voluntary role.

**Location**18 Mitford St, St Kilda

**Reports to**First Step Board and Chair

**Direct reports**Nil

**Key internal contacts**Board Members, CEO, Executive Team members.

**Key external contact**First Step stakeholders.

**About First Step**
First Step is a not-for-profit mental health, addiction and legal services hub in St Kilda. In

operation since 2000, First Step now has 1,600 clients, 43 staff, revenue over $4M and a

strong reputation for multi-disciplinary, whole-of-person care for the most vulnerable

Victorians.

First Step is about to move to a new location in St Kilda, 18 Mitford St, where it will

continue to provide a very welcoming environment and empowering services. First Step is

looked to by the health and community sectors as a leader in multi-disciplinary care across

mental ill-health, substance use and integrated legal services. First Step’s uniquely skilled

workforce (GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, peers, care coordinators,

group therapist, drug and alcohol therapists, family therapists and more) includes the only

community legal service embedded within a health practice in Australia.

In its new location, First Step will continue to focus not only on support and treatment, but

also be a centre for research and evaluation, education and training, and advocacy.

First Step is a company limited by guarantee. It is registered with the Australian Charities

and Not-for-profits Commission and has deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.

First Step is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to staff wellbeing. We have extensive

onboarding training and ongoing professional development for staff.

**Vision**A community where people living with mental distress or substance use
can live well, be safe and be supported.**

**First Step** Current 28.10.24 2

**Mission**To ensure the people seeking support for mental distress or alcohol or
other drug use get all the help they need in a welcoming, hope-filled

environment.

To provide an integrated community of care and support, maximising

each person’s agency, resilience and connection.

Key responsibilities**

**Key result area** **Task**

**General**On being elected to the Board, undertake induction and

training procedures as provided by the Board.

**Administration**Oversee the preparation of Board papers, minutes, and

resolutions by the Executive team.

Maintain statutory records, registers, and filings.

**Legal Governance**

**and compliance**

Provide high-level governance advice and support to the

Board and executive leadership.

Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations,

including the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits

Commission (ACNC) and Corporations Act.

Advise on risk management and corporate governance

initiatives.

**General governance**Consider, debate, and vote on issues before the Board on the

basis of the best interests of First Step only.

Comply with the rules, policies, and constitution of First Step.

Provide specialist knowledge in field of expertise.

**Planning & Budget**Approve and monitor financial reporting, including the annual

budget, major capital expenditure, capital management,

acquisitions and divestitures.

Review and approve First Step’s Strategic Plan, and other

consequential arrangements (Business Plan, Marketing

Plan, etc).

Attend and actively participate in Strategic discussions and

workshops.

**Meetings**Attend all meetings (KPI 80%), or, if absolutely unavoidable,

apologise in advance for absence.

Read Board papers in advance of the meeting and consider

issues before the meeting.

Contribute to the discussion and resolution of issues at

meetings and otherwise as appropriate.

Back Board majority decisions publicly.

**First Step** Current 28.10.24 3

**Administrative &**

**Management**

Review and approve First Step’s systems for financial control

and risk management.

Undertake administrative duties as required.

Perform action items in a timely manner.

**Public relations**Make comments to the media only as provided in the

organisation’s Media Policy and as delegated.

Promote First Step in the community as opportunities arise.

Participate in any fundraising approved by the Board.

**Legal& Ethical**Avoid making any improper use of the First Step Board

position so as to gain any material advantage for self, or

for any other person, or to the detriment of First Step.

Avoid making any improper use of any information acquired

by virtue of the First Step Board position so as to gain

a