Chair

List of Chair Duties and Qualifications

As per the Rules the Chair will:

Chair all General Meetings, meetings of the Board and AGM
Certify all minutes and resolutions of the Board and membership meetings
Uphold the processes and requirements as outlined in the Rules (see below)

As per the Policies, the Responsibilities of the Chair:

Knowledge & Understanding of the Friendly Society and CU Act & Fire and Emergency Act and its requirements
Knowledge & Understanding of the Welfare Society and Healthcare 99 Rules and their requirements
Knowledge & Understanding of the Board policy and procedures
Knowledge & Understanding of the Information Folder (see below)
Knowledge & Understanding of the Business plan
Comprehension of the Healthcare 99 Information Brochure
Comprehension of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Should attend all meetings of the Board/Trustee and General Meeting of the Society
May attend any Welfare Society Committee meetings, chair such meetings if required, and have the right to vote at such meetings
May attend any meetings with other parties as he/she sees fit, that may be of benefit to the Welfare Society and its members
Should endeavour to hold meetings with all other Fire and Emergency related organisations to educate and promote to them the role of the Welfare Society
May negotiate agreements and contracts with other parties for the benefit of the members of the Welfare Society and any agreement or contract when required must be first ratified by the Welfare Society’s Board
Should ensure the requirements of the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act 1982 Rules of the Society and policies of the Board are carried out correctly and in a professional manner
May temporarily halt any activity by any office holder/s and employee/s of the Society that he/she deems not to be in the interests of the Society, the matter is to be brought to the attention of the Welfare Society’s Board at the earliest opportunity for a final decision on the continuance or otherwise of the halted activity
Should make him/herself available within reason for any meeting called by a Regional or District Representative of the members of such Region or District
Should notify the Secretary and the Welfare Society office if intending to be unavailable for more than 24 hours or longer
Should liaise and assist office holders and employees of the Society with all matters pertaining to the efficient running and operation of the Welfare Society
Shall call for applicants (when required) for the positions under Rules 20(a) (b) and (c) and interview such applicants, then report his/her recommendations to the Board
May interview applicants for staff vacancies (employees) when required and hire staff as required for the efficient day-to-day running of the Society office
If due to circumstances the work load is high, the Chair may request assistance from other suitable personnel
Shall carry out all other directions of the Welfare Board

Board Chair qualities and skills should include:

Understanding of Not for Profit governance
Have sound knowledge of appropriate legislation which dictates the actions of the organisation
Have the ability to develop strong relationships with governance and senior leadership stakeholders
Have a strong commitment to the organisation and its core purpose
The ability to think strategically and lead the development of strategic objectives and outcomes
of the organisation
Lead the board in effective and meaningful conversation
Understand the importance of appropriate and legal board activities, papers and minutes
Actively facilitate board members promoting a culture of discussion and debate
Ensure the accountability of management for the setting and achieving of budgets and plans
Sound understanding of finances and financial management
Ability to direct the development of sound policies for the organisation
Sound judgement
Have the spirit of servanthood and volunteerism
Understand their fiduciary responsibilities