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Board Secretary Position Description
Position overview**
**Position title**First Step Board Secretary
**Program**N/A
**Position objective**In addition to fulfilling the responsibilities of a First
Step Board Member, ensure that the First Step
Board operates in accordance with best-practice
governance and compliance practices and adheres
to its legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations.
**Job classification**This is a voluntary role.
**Location**18 Mitford St, St Kilda
**Reports to**First Step Board and Chair
**Direct reports**Nil
**Key internal contacts**Board Members, CEO, Executive Team members.
**Key external contact**First Step stakeholders.
**About First Step**
First Step is a not-for-profit mental health, addiction and legal services hub in St Kilda. In
operation since 2000, First Step now has 1,600 clients, 43 staff, revenue over $4M and a
strong reputation for multi-disciplinary, whole-of-person care for the most vulnerable
Victorians.
First Step is about to move to a new location in St Kilda, 18 Mitford St, where it will
continue to provide a very welcoming environment and empowering services. First Step is
looked to by the health and community sectors as a leader in multi-disciplinary care across
mental ill-health, substance use and integrated legal services. First Step's uniquely skilled
workforce (GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, peers, care coordinators,
group therapist, drug and alcohol therapists, family therapists and more) includes the only
community legal service embedded within a health practice in Australia.
In its new location, First Step will continue to focus not only on support and treatment, but
also be a centre for research and evaluation, education and training, and advocacy.
First Step is a company limited by guarantee. It is registered with the Australian Charities
and Not-for-profits Commission and has deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.
First Step is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to staff wellbeing. We have extensive
onboarding training and ongoing professional development for staff.
**Vision**A community where people living with mental distress or substance use
can live well, be safe and be supported.**
**First Step** Current 28.10.24 2
**Mission**To ensure the people seeking support for mental distress or alcohol or
other drug use get all the help they need in a welcoming, hope-filled
environment.
To provide an integrated community of care and support, maximising
each person's agency, resilience and connection.
Key responsibilities**
**Key result area** **Task**
**General**On being elected to the Board, undertake induction and
training procedures as provided by the Board.
**Administration**Oversee the preparation of Board papers, minutes, and
resolutions by the Executive team.
Maintain statutory records, registers, and filings.
**Legal Governance**
**and compliance**
Provide high-level governance advice and support to the
Board and executive leadership.
Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations,
including the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits
Commission (ACNC) and Corporations Act.
Advise on risk management and corporate governance
initiatives.
**General governance**Consider, debate, and vote on issues before the Board on the
basis of the best interests of First Step only.
Comply with the rules, policies, and constitution of First Step.
Provide specialist knowledge in field of expertise.
**Planning & Budget**Approve and monitor financial reporting, including the annual
budget, major capital expenditure, capital management,
acquisitions and divestitures.
Review and approve First Step's Strategic Plan, and other
consequential arrangements (Business Plan, Marketing
Plan, etc).
Attend and actively participate in Strategic discussions and
workshops.
**Meetings**Attend all meetings (KPI 80%), or, if absolutely unavoidable,
apologise in advance for absence.
Read Board papers in advance of the meeting and consider
issues before the meeting.
Contribute to the discussion and resolution of issues at
meetings and otherwise as appropriate.
Back Board majority decisions publicly.
**First Step** Current 28.10.24 3
**Administrative &**
**Management**
Review and approve First Step's systems for financial control
and risk management.
Undertake administrative duties as required.
Perform action items in a timely manner.
**Public relations**Make comments to the media only as provided in the
organisation's Media Policy and as delegated.
Promote First Step in the community as opportunities arise.
Participate in any fundraising approved by the Board.
**Legal& Ethical**Avoid making any improper use of the First Step Board
position so as to gain any material advantage for self, or
for any other person, or to the detriment of First Step.
Avoid making any improper use of any information acquired
by virtue of the First Step Board position so as to gain
a