You love governance and compliance. You’re a whiz-bang administrator with a ‘get stuff done’ attitude in a fast-paced virtual environment. Technology is your friend. You have a mean eye for detail and establishing effective processes. All this, coupled with your calm demeanour, high integrity and good sense of humour will be eagerly applied as a team player supporting and building capability of our visionary founders, voluntary board, and our small team of part-time staff.
You have not been disqualified:
1. from managing a corporation under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Corporations Act), or
2. from being a Responsible Person by the ACNC Commissioner within the previous 12 months.
You are looking for a tangible way to apply your excellent organisational, governance and administrative skills into a social purpose organisation, where your contribution is valued. You are not between jobs or looking for a full-time role. You are not looking for financial remuneration; rather the reward you seek is to see positive social change by contributing to our vision; Imagine if schools could feed their communities.
You are happy to contribute up to five hours a week (spread across the week or one day) from home, cafés, various meeting rooms, and you have access to wifi, a trusty laptop, and are proficient in the general suite of Office programs and Shared Drives.
You are very comfortable in a diverse environment with people from all walks of life. You are happy to attend after-hours Board meetings, when required. If you can tick most of the above, please get in touch immediately.
ABOUT US - FARM MY SCHOOL
We are a registered charity.
Our Vision
Imagine if schools could feed their communities…
Our Mission
Our mission is to build regenerative farms in schools that nourish, educate and connect communities.
What we do
FMS is a not-for-profit organisation which collaborates with schools to transform their underutilised grounds into regenerative farms that nourish, educate and connect communities. Inspired by a vision of a healthier future for our people and the planet, we're redefining how farming and food production can shape education, inspire, and foster stronger and more resilient communities.
Farm My School's unique approach goes beyond farming - it’s about transforming the way we educate, engage and consume food.
ABOUT THIS ROLE - VOLUNTEER COMPANY SECRETARY
This is a voluntary position and not a paid role.
As a vital member of our team, you will work closely with Farm My School Board members, co-founder James McLennan and FMS staff, to help build a cohesive and effective operating environment and to prepare for Board meetings, ensuring adherence to the Australian not-for-profit corporate governance guidelines.
You will be our key administration and compliance officer. You will be happy to make an up to five hour per week commitment to Farm My School.
Responsibilities and Duties
Charity governance and compliance – Company Secretary
1. Understand and ensure that Farm My School Ltd complies with its statutory obligations, ensuring the requirements of ASIC, ACNC, Consumer Affairs VIC and other regulators are met.
2. Fulfil the legal obligations, duties and responsibilities as an officer of the company in the capacity of a Company Secretary as set out in the Corporations Act.
3. Act as a corporate secretary to assist the statutory Secretary with the legal obligations, duties and responsibilities as set out in the Corporations Act.
4. Manage Board processes – Board and committee papers and circulation of agendas, recording minutes, discussion papers and proposals for the Boards and their committees.
5. Board Induction and Charter document and process to ensure Directors know and understand their responsibilities and Farm My School Ltd expectations of them.
6. Organise and run the Annual General Meetings and Meetings of Members of Farm My School Ltd.
7. Ensure the necessary registers are established and maintained in accordance with the Corporations Act.
8. Ensure records of members’ and directors’ meetings are kept in compliance with the Corporations Act and the Farm My School Ltd Constitution.
9. Procure advice for directors regarding application of the Corporations Act, company constitution and other legal and regulatory requirements.
10. Development, implementation, communication and maintenance of compliance policies, processes and procedures.
11. Advise the Board on good practice in corporate governance.
12. Ensure the Board has all the information required to make informed decisions.
13. Organise and record the Board annual performance review.
14. Maintain director’s personnel files and ensure they are kept updated.
Skills and Capabilities
1. Organised, reliable, enthusiastic and motivated
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
3. Good interpersonal skills – able to work in a team situation and communicate clearly
4. Assertive and structured individual with experience in Board management
5. Able to work remotely within flexible hours
6. Ability to think outside the square, be a self-starter, work autonomously
7. Ability to work inside a strict corporate and regulatory environment (i.e. not-for-profit Board governance)
8. Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement to governance structures – but not suffocating governance.
9. Natural mind for risk mitigation
10. Discretion for confidential information.
Desired but not essential
1. Experience in a similar role
2. Knowledge of the Not for Profit and charity sector
3. Commitment to a three-year stay in this role (we fully appreciate holidays and other personal interests).
The benefits of volunteering with us
1. Experience with a new, fast growing and innovative Australian for purpose charity.
2. Connect with creative, thoughtful and conscious leaders and people with a passion for community strengthening and young people, environment, regenerative farming, and healthy food abundance.
3. A lasting sense of purpose – Take pride in knowing your involvement directly contributed to FMS’s success and growth, leaving a lasting impact.
4. Being able to add a myriad of ‘tangible outcomes and outputs’ to your CV.
5. Fun - we have a good time as well as get serious stuff done.
6. Validate the amazing skills you think you have!
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