CLOSED - General Assembly Member 2023

Thank you for your interest in joining the Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited General Assembly.

Applications for 2023 have now closed.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited (GPAP) is seeking to appoint some new members to its General Assembly at the 2023 AGM.

The General Assembly is the voting membership of GPAP. Like GPAP's Board, the General Assembly is dedicated to upholding GPAP's values, mission and purpose. It contributes to the governance of the organisation through oversight of the Board, principally at general meetings. 

About GPAP

Greenpeace is the leading independent environmental campaigning organisation that uses non-violent direct action and creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace's goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity.

GPAP is the national/regional Greenpeace organisation for the Australia Pacific region. We operate in Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Cook Islands, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Belau (Palau), Guam, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Tokelau, and Commonwealth of the Marianna. Our head office is based in Sydney. For more information about our operations go to

GPAP's values are:

• Independence: We do not accept money from governments, corporations or political parties because it would compromise our core values.
• Bearing witness: Our peaceful protests work to raise awareness and bring public opinion to bear on decision-makers.
• Non-violent direct action: We strongly believe that violence in any form is morally wrong and accomplishes nothing. Greenpeace takes non-violent direct action at the point of an environmental crime to expose an environmental problem.

GPAP is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC). It has an annual turnover of approximately $22 million (YE Our annual financial reports are available on the ACNC's website at Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited | ACNC.

About the role

General Assembly members are the voting members of the organisation who participate in oversight of the organisation through the Annual General Meeting, any extraordinary general meetings or postal ballots. 

It is a body of at least 50 people, elected for a four (4) year term.

General Assembly members do not participate in the day to day operations or decision making. However they can exercise their power via a vote at the Annual General Meeting on important decisions that affect the direction of the organisation.

In order to remain a member and be eligible to vote at the AGM General Assembly all members pay a membership fee (for 2021/22 $25 per annum).

The main responsibilities of the General Assembly are:

• Electing Board members;
• High level supervision of Board performance;
• Accepting the GPAP Annual Report; and
• Appointing the external auditor.

Some members of the General Assembly also contribute to organisational governance by joining a Board Subcommittee or Working group. There are 6 Board committees and working groups currently including:

1. 
   
2. Finance and Audit Committee.
3. Governance Committee.
4. Nominations Committee.
5. Philanthropy Working Group.
6. Risk Working Group.
7. Generational Vision Working Group (long term planning group).

Note that it is a requirement for all Board members to be members of the Greenpeace General Assembly, so those with a future, or current interest in joining the Board of GPAP are strongly encouraged to join the General Assembly in the first instance to build institutional knowledge.

Selection Criteria

It is essential that all General Assembly members be committed to the values, mission and purpose of GPAP. They must be prepared to make a commitment to actively participating in the AGM and any extraordinary general meetings. They must have high standards of integrity and must comply fully with the General Assembly Code of Conduct.

General Assembly members bring a wide range of skills, experience and knowledge to Greenpeace. These are some of the attributes we look for:

• An enthusiasm and passion for the environment and a commitment to its preservation;
• An understanding of the role of members in organisational governance; 
• An understanding of financial management principles;
• Strategic and business planning and implementation skills;
• An understanding of the Australian legal and/or political landscape;
• Ability to interpret the vision and strategy for future growth of the organisation;
• Integrity and vision; and
• Willingness to make a positive contribution.

Joining the GPAP General Assembly can be a great way to grow your governance experience.

GPAP seeks to genuinely represent the voices of First Nations and Pacific peoples. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and Indigenous peoples from the Pacific are encouraged to apply for membership of the General Assembly.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is an equal opportunity organisation and promotes an environment that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions of all people. We encourage people with disabilities, young people, women, neuro diverse, non-binary and gender diverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply. 

How to apply

Please upload an abbreviated resume (2 pages maximum) in PDF format. If this poses an accessibility issue please contact GPAP's Company Secretary at or at:

Company Secretary

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

GPO Box 3307, Sydney NSW 2001

All eligible applications must be received by 5pm, Tuesday 28th of February 2023 AEDT. Upon assessment of applications, the GPAP Nominations Committee will seek to recommend suitable candidates to the GPAP Board and GA. A recruitment decision will be made by vote of the current General Assembly at the GPAP Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 27 May 2023.