Volunteer
* Canberra
Non-Executive Directors — Community Services #1
Location: Narrabundah, ACT
Status: Volunteer, NFP governance role
Time: about 1–2 days per month (board meetings, committee meetings, preparation, and other tasks)
Commitment: Initial 3-year term (renewable)
About Community Services #1
CS1 is a community-based, profit-for-purpose charity serving the Canberra region for 30+ years. We connect people to enrich lives through early childhood education and care, out-of-school hours and vacation care, aged care, community transport, social support groups, the food pantry, in addition to out-of-hospital services in regional NSW. Our services are funded through a mix of Commonwealth/ACT funding, client fees, and donations, and support thousands of Canberrans each year.
Why join the Board
You'll help steward a respected local charity and strengthen services across the life course, from the early years through to healthy ageing. You'll work with an experienced leadership team and a skills-based Board to ensure quality, safety, sustainability and impact. With our 2025 Strategic Plan launching at the November AGM, you will join an organisation with clear goals and direction, and support these outcomes with your knowledge and expertise.
What we're looking for (two appointments)
Our Board Skills Matrix has identified priority capability needs in:
* Law / Contracts / Legal (commercial, regulatory, risk, privacy, safeguarding)
* Community Services (program development, oversight, outcomes/impact)
* Early Childhood Education & Care (oversight of service delivery, quality & compliance)
* Clinical expertise (nursing, care quality, clinical governance)
* Aged Care (community care, quality standards, consumer-directed care)
Candidates with some of these domains are highly encouraged to apply. Prior experience as a board member is welcome, but is by no means essential for outstanding sector leaders stepping into governance (the CS1 board has experienced directors who can mentor and build your governance experience).
Ideal profile
* Demonstrated leadership in one or more of the five priority domains above.
* Understanding of charity/NFP governance and fiduciary duties (or eagerness to develop).
* Commitment to person-centred, safe, and culturally responsive services across children's services and/or aged care.
* Based in the ACT region (meetings are typically held in Narrabundah, sometimes with remote options).
Key responsibilities
* Provide effective oversight of strategy, quality and safety, financial sustainability, risk and compliance.
* Champion CS1's purpose, mission and values; uphold best-practice NFP governance.
* Contribute to clinical and care quality discussions (where relevant to your expertise).
* Support executive leadership through guidance, constructive challenge and stewardship.
* Engage with stakeholders and represent CS#1 in the community.
What we offer
* A meaningful opportunity to improve outcomes for children, families and seniors.
* Collegial, purpose-driven Board with diverse skills.
* Induction and ongoing professional development in NFP governance.
Further information
* Read more about CS1's mission, programs and leadership:
* Learn about CS1's ACNC profile and reporting to stakeholders:
How to apply—Expressions of Interest to be received by Thursday 27 November
Please email a short cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your skills that are relevant to CS1's board, your expertise and motivation, plus a board CV (maximum 3 pages), to Note any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest in your cover letter, along with professional memberships (e.g. AICD), and availability.