There are 15 Red Cross Board Committees, all of which include at least one Board Member or Special Councillor. The Board also appoints various other committees including advisory committees and specialist committees which are established for short term, specific or ad hoc purposes.

The Committees of the Australian Red Cross Board include:

Audit and Risk Committee
Assists the Board in ensuring that Red Cross meets its essential financial and compliance requirements.

National Asset and Investment Strategy Committee:
Supports and advises the Board on strategic asset management and due diligence.

Governance Committee:
Reviews the governance framework of Red Cross and recommends improvements.

International Committee:
Supports and advises the Board in its deliberations on the Society’s International Program, strategy, frameworks, policy and risk.

Nominations and Remuneration Committee
Supports and advises the Board regarding appointment of Board Members, succession planning, remuneration and employment, induction, training and education programs.

Services, Members and Volunteers Activities Committee:
Guides and monitors the progress of Red Cross services and the activities of their members and volunteers.

Migration Programs Advisory Committee:
Makes recommendations to the Board regarding Red Cross programs dealing with the impact of migration.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) Advisory Committee:
Provides independent advice to the Board and to the ARCBS Board of Management on all technical and safety issues and ensures the highest standards of medical and scientific practice and product safety are met.

National Youth Advisory Committee
Advises the Board and consults on youth policies and programs, including youth engagement and leadership opportunities.

National Emergency Services Advisory Committee:
Provides strategic advice to the Board on Emergency Services programs undertaken by Red Cross.

International Humanitarian Law Chairs Advisory Committee:
Operates as a joint committee with the Commonwealth Government and advises the Board on all matters concerning internationalhumanitarian law.

National Awards Committee:
Approves nominations for awards and recommends to the Board ways to acknowledge the efforts of Red Cross people.

Specialist Committees

Information Technology Committee:
Oversees Project Novar, the project replacing the existing IT platform, and moving to a common set of business processes throughout Australia. It also advises the Board on key decisions relating to the project.

2013 General Assembly and Council of Delegates Committee:
Oversees the planning for the Statutory Meetings in Sydney in November 2013.

Centenary and Membership Engagement Committee:
Oversees planning for the Centenary year 2014.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service Board

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is an operational arm of the Society.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service Board reports to the Australian Red Cross Board, which has overall responsibility and appoints all non-executive Board Members. The Blood Service Board, which has general oversight of the management of the Blood Service, comprises nine non-executive members who oversee the strategic direction, financial, operational activities and risk management of the Blood Service.

Australian Red Cross’ Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer are both Blood Service Board members.

Divisional Advisory Boards

The Divisional Advisory Boards have a number of functions under the Rules and the Divisional Regulations, in connection with their advisory, divisional governance, promotion and communications roles.

Legal and Policy Unit

Headed by General Counsel Bruce Moore, the Legal and Policy Unit provides independent in-house legal advice and representation for the Society on legal aspects of policy, operational and governance matters. It also coordinates the provision of support by external legal advisers.

National Leadership Team

The National Leadership Team supports the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in setting the strategic direction for the organisation, effectively managing day-to-day operations, implementing decisions of the Board and senior management, and providing leadership to Red Cross people.

The National Leadership Team held four face-to-face meetings in this financial year, and met by teleconference in the months in between. Within this team, the Chief Executive Officer, Robert Tickner; Chief Financial Officer, Sandy Chakravarty; Director of Services and International Operations, Michael Raper and Director, Marketing, Fundraising and Communications, Jennifer Gibb attended Board meetings throughout the year. While not voting members, they make recommendations to the Board via papers put forward.

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

In December 2012, Australian Red Cross Society became a registered charity with the newly formed Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which is the independent national regulator of charities. Governance standards have been established under the ACNC legislation, which apply from 1 July 2013. These are similar to the duties previously applicable under the Corporations Act 2001.