Want to influence the next generation? Want to contribute your skills and expertise to fight against homelessness in young people in Melbourne’s West, and strengthen our communities?

Expressions of interest are being sought for individuals wanting to join our Committee of Management (CoM).

Currently seeking a Treasurer who ideally has:

• Some financial knowledge and experience
• Understanding of the Not-for-Profit sector
• A strong connection to communities in the Cities of Moonee Ponds and Hobsons Bay

You don’t need to have all these attributes, but you will ideally have one or more of the attributes coupled with a passion for helping people. 

About Latitude

Latitude has been operating within the Cities of Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley prior to the local council mergers of 1994-96. Whilst Latitude might have looked and named differently when under the guise of BayWest Youth Housing Group & Essendon Accommodation Group, it still operated then under the same ethos as it does today.

Latitude is operated by a small professional team of outreach workers and a General Manager with 20+years’ experience in the community sector. The team’s focus is to end young people’s experience of homelessness and create a safe space where they belong. 

Our vision, mission and values

Vision​: All young people feel a sense of belonging and are actively contributing to our community​

Mission​: Supporting homeless young people in Melbourne’s West​

Values​:

• Localised and individual support for at risk young people from diverse backgrounds​
• Access via a welcoming comfortable setting, part of the community​
• Tackling youth homelessness is a community priority​
• Inspiring young people through mentoring and programs​
• Teaming up with other agencies and partners to provide services​
• Unique not for profit providing real solutions​
• Directions for young people​
• Ending youth homelessness​

Governance 

Latitude is governed by a volunteer CoM comprised of elected members with diverse expertise and knowledge. As we receive our funding from the state government, we are required to ensure that we meet established accreditation standards to ensure continuity of income.

Role Responsibilities

The CoM’s primary responsibilities are the governance and sustainability of Latitude, as well as strategic, fiduciary and monitoring functions. Therefore, as a member of CoM your responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that Latitude remains a viable and effective organisation, and to secure its long-term future.
• Providing leadership in, and remaining focused upon, the development of the Latitude’s organisational purpose, strategic direction and priorities.
• Monitoring and ensuring that the aims, goals and objectives as articulated in the Strategic Plan are aligned with the organisational purpose, strategic direction and priorities of the Centre and that they are met.
• Monitoring performance in relation to operational management and ensuring that it is effective and accountable in all aspects, including financial accountability, legal compliance, and industrial relations requirements.
• Submitting relevant reports and financial statements to government regulators, as required. 
• Approving and monitoring CoM level policies.
• Appointing the Manager.

CoM Commitments  

• Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month via Zoom and commence at 6.30pm and close at 8.00pm. Meetings occur at the Latitude Altona office, 2 Somers Parade Altona, whilst the meetings are hybrid (zoom) the preference is for F2F wherever possible.
• A minimum 2 hours per month in preparation for meetings, plus a willingness and capacity to undertake an additional 5 hours per month to support the work of sub-committees and working groups and to assist with strategic projects.
• Lead the Financial Sub-Committee & liaise with Bookkeeper monthly

About You

We are looking for two skilled members to join our CoM, and the following personal characteristics are highly valued:

• Strong conviction to end youth homelessness
• Belief in community-building and integration as a sustainable way to end homelessness
• Affirm that all young people are valued and can contribute to their community when given opportunities
• Have a personal and strong connection to communities in the Cities of Moonee Ponds and Hobsons Bay, and are invested in the growth and development of these communities
• Expect to have capacity to contribute skills, knowledge, or experience for a minimum of two years.

We are especially interested in recruiting individuals with demonstrable expertise in one or more of: 

• Financial knowledge
• Willingness to take on the Treasurers role & lead the Financial Sub-Committee

Highly desirable if candidates have skills and experience in not-for-profit sector particularly in youth homelessness, as well as:

• Have an altruistic approach to their Board duties
• Commercial and Senior leadership experience
• Tertiary qualifications in their field of expertise
• Demonstrated teamwork
• Excellent communication skills will enable successful applicants to build strong relationships across the existing board and organisation
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, integrity, and sound judgement

We will review applications over the next weeks and interview applicants. Ideally the Treasurer will be appointed at the AGM in October.

Contact Us

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Secretary Graeme Reilly graemereilly@hotmail.com using the subject line: Board Member (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.