• Roles: Secretary and General Committee Member
• Location: Epping North, City of Whittlesea
• Community Sector: Community Development
• Annual Budget: $200,000
• Current Board Size: 5-7
• Number of Staff: 2
• Meeting frequency: Monthly
• Meetings Time: 18:30 – 20:00 (currently)
• Meeting Format: Hybrid (online and in person)
• Volunteers: 5 -10
• Areas of Expertise Being Sought:
  • Are you passionate about community work?
  • Do you have experience in at least one of: Governance | Legal | Marketing and Communications | Risk management | Grant writing or Fundraising | Advocacy

About Creeds Farm

Creeds Farm Living and Learning Centre works with communities in Melbourne’s high-growth suburbs of Epping North and Wollert in the City of Whittlesea. We provide opportunities for people to build community connections, for lifelong learning, skills development, information sharing, social and recreational activities and community development.

We are a charity and an Incorporated Association in Victoria and receive funding from State, Federal and Local governments, other charities and businesses. You can find the rules of our association here. We employ staff, supervise volunteers, provide community programs and own the building and land where Creeds Farm is situated. We are part of local, regional and state neighbourhood house networks.

This is an exciting time to join our committee. Creeds Farm is about to reopen - having been closed with the pandemic and building repairs - and welcome our friends and neighbours back through our doors. Our vision is to be a sustainability and well-being hub for our growing community.

Our values:

• Connection. We connect with each other and connect people to opportunities, support, learning and community.
• Empowerment. We enable community participation and support self-awareness and people taking action to meet their needs.
• Diversity. We celebrate people’s strengths, skills and potential, learn from each other and promote inclusiveness.
• Welcoming. We are positive, kind and bring goodwill and good humour to all we do.

What’s involved?

The Committee of Management ensures Creeds Farm fulfils its purpose, operates well as a neighbourhood house, remains solvent and complies with all legal, financial and ethical obligations. Committee members ensure sound governance and clear strategic direction for Creeds Farm.

In accepting the position, Committee members undertake to provide sound governance and effective leadership to the organisation by ensuring that the organisation has:

• Clear strategic directions and achievable plans in line with its purpose and values.
• Adequate resources to carry out its work.
• Competent personnel.
• An effective policy framework to guide its work, implement its plans and meet its obligations.
• Adequate internal controls to ensure sound financial management, risk management and legal compliance.
• Adequate internal accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with policies and procedures and to monitor organisational performance.

Your commitment:

As secretary:

• Prepare for, attend and contribute to regular committee meetings.
• Prepare the agenda in consultation with the Chairperson.
• Take minutes for each committee meeting.
• Ensure policies are reviewed.
• Liaise with regulators (Consumer Affairs and ACNC) to update information and lodge statements.
• Actively participate on at least one subcommittee or working group.
• As needed, participate in consultation processes or liaise with MPs, local councillors or government officers.
• Attend governance training as needed.

As a general committee member:

• Prepare for, attend and contribute to regular committee meetings.
• Actively participate on at least one subcommittee or working group.
• As needed, participate in consultation processes or liaise with MPs, local councillors or government officers.
• Attend governance training as needed.

The committee meets in person or online at Creeds Farm on the last Wednesday of each month (not December) at 18:30 for 60-90 min. We’re located in Epping North. In keeping with Creeds Farm’s commitment to sustainability, we are a paperless committee. We use Microsoft SharePoint for Committee and governance documents.

Your skills and experience

• Experience or interest in the operation or governance of community organisations or incorporated associations.
• Ability to work cooperatively.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience in at least one of governance, legal, advocacy, marketing and communications, risk management, grant writing or fundraising is desirable.
• Ability to ensure appropriate record keeping including setting agendas, taking minutes and monitoring actions (for the Secretary).

Benefits of volunteering with us:

• Contribute to the local community.
• Work with a passionate and dedicated committee.
• A practical experience in governing a small not-for-profit organisation.
• A great addition to your resume.

If you’d like to know more, please call Christina, Creeds Farm Chairperson on 0402 295 167.

A position description is attached.