Committees of the Board
All Red Cross Board Committees include at least one Board member or Special Councillor. In addition to permanent committees, 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 Board include:
Audit and Risk Committee: Assists the Board in ensuring that Red Cross meets its essential audit and risk compliance requirements.
Finance Committee: Assists the Board in ensuring that Red Cross meets its essential financial requirements.
Governance Committee: Reviews the governance framework of Red Cross and recommends improvements.
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.
International Committee: Supports and advises the Board in its deliberations on the Society’s international programs, strategy, frameworks, policy and risk.
Members and Volunteers Committee (Established September 2014): Provides strategic oversight and advice to the Board on opportunities and challenges for our membership and voluntary service programs; expansion of the membership of the Society and member engagement; and meaningful expansion and enhancement of voluntary service.
Migration Programs Advisory Committee: Advises the Board regarding Red Cross programs dealing with the impact of migration.
National Awards Committee: Approves nominations for awards and recommends to the Board ways to acknowledge the efforts of Red Cross people.
National Emergency Services Advisory Committee: Provides strategic advice to the Board on emergency services programs undertaken by Red Cross.
National Youth Advisory Committee: Advises the Board and consults on youth policies and programs, including youth engagement and leadership opportunities.
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 Committee (Established September 2014): Provides strategic oversight and advice concerning community programs, program evaluations, and emerging issues relevant to the not-for-profit services sector.
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.
International Humanitarian Law Chairs Advisory Committee: Operates as a joint committee with the Commonwealth Government and advises the Board on all matters concerning international humanitarian law.
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 videoconference and teleconference in the months in between. Within this team, the former 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 Red Cross Blood Service Board
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is an operational arm of the Australian Red Cross 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 and the CEO, comprises nine non-executive members who oversee the strategic direction, financial and 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 our 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.
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 came into effect from 1 July 2013. These are similar to the duties previously applicable under the Corporations Act 2001.
Mary Edwards (right) volunteers at Red Cross to help staff with administration work. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a young child and not able to walk, Mary loves coming into the office every Friday to help out and meet other people. Staff member Christina Galanis (left) says she brings a spark to the room.
Australian Red Cross/Morné de Klerk
