Are you a qualified accountant willing to put your skills to work to support women, trans and gender diverse folk to rebuild their lives after criminalisation and imprisonment? We need a volunteer Treasurer to join our Board.

Who are Flat Out?

Established in 1988, Flat Out is a state-wide advocacy and support service for adult women trans and gender diverse people (‘T&GDP’) who have been imprisoned or criminalised in Victoria.

We are a community-based organisation providing outreach support and advocacy through a feminist abolitionist lens. We recognise the harmful impacts of the criminal legal system, prisons and detention on First Nations people as part of systemic and ongoing processes of colonisation.

We receive funding as a Specialist Homelessness Service from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in Victoria and other grants, philanthropic support and donations from time to time.

We lead and participate in systemic advocacy and community education to inform government, the public and other service providers about the issues for women and T&GDP in the prison and criminal law systems including at the intersections between family violence and abuse, alcohol and other drug issues, mental health and child protection. We advocate for women and T&GDP who have experienced imprisonment, and to improve the rights and conditions of women and T&GDP in prison. We support women and T&GDP to get out, and stay out, of prison.

We work collaboratively with others in the prison abolition movement in Australia towards a future in which prisons are recognised as antiquated, cruel and ineffective at improving community safety.

The Flat Out Board

Board meetings are held bi-monthly on the third Tuesday of every second month from 6.30pm to no later than 9.30pm.

Requirements for Board members

1. Agreement with Flat Out’s values including feminist and abolitionist principles and collaborative decision-making processes
2. Identifying as a woman, trans or gender diverse
3. Election or appointment to the Board as per Flat Out’s Rules
4. Attendance at least four Board meetings each financial year
5. Complete governance training
6. Signed agreement to the Flat Out Code of Professional Conduct, including declaring any conflicts of interest
7. Provide at least two months’ notice of intention to resign from the Board
8. Participate in Board Working Groups, bi-monthly.

Key functions of the Board

1. Set the strategic direction of the organisation
2. Ensure Flat Out complies with all legal and financial requirements including applicable employment laws, standards and awards
3. Ensure a robust risk management system is in place to manage and mitigate risk
4. Accountability for the activities and decisions of Flat Out

Principles governing the operation of the Flat Out Board

1. Teamwork and open and constructive communication
2. Respect for Board decisions and Flat Out’s Rules, Policies and Procedures
3. Respect for the rights and contributions of each Board member and for Flat Out staff, students and volunteers
4. Accountability to the organisation, the Board and the women and T&GD people we support

The Treasurer’s role

1. Chair bi-monthly meetings of the Finance, Audit and Risk subcommittee to review and discuss financial reports
2. Report to the Board bi-monthly on financial reports and matters arising
3. Identify and bring to the attention of the Board any areas of financial risk
4. Oversee the development of annual budgets
5. Support and oversee the annual audit and present audit reports to the membership at Annual General Meetings
6. Oversee the ongoing financial health and viability of the organisation
7. Oversee and support the Executive Officer and finance & operations staff to develop and regularly review financial management policies and procedures, including to protect against fraud and theft
8. Support the Executive Officer and Board to identify and pursue funding opportunities

If you have any questions about the organisation or the role please contact Karen Fletcher, Executive Officer: [email protected] using the subject line: Treasurer (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.