Governance reforms

Composition: National Council includes:

• The President.
• The Chair, Deputy Chair, and Youth Member of each Division.
• Up to Six Special Councillors (eminent Members who have made significant contributions to Australian Red Cross).

Role: National Council’s role as the peak representative body for Members has been strengthened through:

• Representation in the open and competitive Board Member and Board Chair appointment processes; and
• A minimum of two National Council meetings per year.
• Board Members no longer being on National Council to reduce any perceived conflict of interest.

Size: Board made up of 8-10 Board Members (reduced from 16 Board Members).

Member Connection: There are four roles reserved for anyone who has been a Member for at least 12 months, who meets the skills and experience requirements. This is to ensure the Board continues to have a strong appreciation and understanding of Members.

Appointments: National Council appoints all Board Members, except the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Chair, following an open, advertised and competitive recruitment process to ensure the Board has the right skills and experience.

Name: Each ‘Divisional Advisory Board’ will be known as a ‘Division Council’ which better reflects the role and will assist in role clarity for new candidates and external parties.

Role: The role of Division Councils has been reinforced to ensure a clear and consistent understanding. It includes supporting Members and Volunteers in that Division with promotion and recruitment, communication and feedback, governance of local activities and advice on issues of significance to the Division.

The current role of President will be split into two.

The President who is elected by National Council is a pivotal ambassador for Australian Red Cross, to be held by a person of eminence within the Australian community. Their role will include:

• Public speaking engagements and other ceremonial duties.
• Chairing the National Council.
• Acting as our ambassador and relationship builder.

The Board Chair who is elected by the Board (from amongst the Board Members) will lead the Board and undertake normal functions of a Board chair.

To ensures a consistent approach to tenure, while balancing the importance of stability and renewal:

• Role lengths for all governance roles will now be a maximum of three terms of up to three years each.
• A minimum retirement period of three years must occur before any further service in that role.

Clarification that:

• Membership is belonging and a right to participate in governance at Australian Red Cross.
• Volunteering is the activity, which occurs across a broad range of programs and services including fundraising, community service, patient transport and emergency services (and is often done by Members).

Volunteers are encouraged to become a Member, so that they have the right (but not the obligation) to participate in the governance of Australian Red Cross.

Membership renewals will now occur at the same time each year for all Members to make renewal easier and more efficient.

Compulsory membership fees removed to ensure membership is open to all (without discrimination), which is consistent with our Fundamental Principle of Impartiality.

Members are welcome to make a donation instead to ensure their valued financial contribution is still contributing to the work of Australian Red Cross. This donation will also be tax deductible.