Express an Interest

Targeting:

Mission.

To enable access to high quality educational support for Government school students in need.

About Us.

State Schools’ Relief is a not-for-profit organisation that improves the lives of tens of thousands of disadvantaged Victorian students and their families each year. SSR provides government school students with new uniforms, footwear and a range of other essential educational resources. We work side by side with all Victorian primary, secondary, specialist and language schools to ensure that any students facing hardship have the necessary items they require for school.

The simple and practical service provided by State Schools’ Relief ensures that students in Victorian state schools can attend school in warmth and comfort with a greater sense of belonging and improved self-esteem, in turn enhancing their educational prospects and opportunities for connecting with their school community.

In the last financial year SSR provided support to more than 93,000 young people attending government schools and in the last five years has grown substantially due to ongoing support from the Victorian Government and a strategy which has included developing a social enterprise with our uniform label, Student’s Choice.

Since 1930 State Schools’ Relief has continued to assist Victorian students, in line with our values. The importance of our work, and the tens of thousands of students we help each year, ensures that each young person feels included and valued. It provides every student, regardless of their background, with the opportunity to participate fully in their schooling without any barriers.

About the Role.

State Schools’ Relief is looking for three non-executive directors to join its Board. One of the three vacancies is required to be filled by a primary principal and one by a person employed by the Victorian Department of Education, who could be an administrator, teacher, business manager, well-being officer or principal. The other is open.

The 9-person Board of directors meets every 6-8 weeks via Zoom and alternately, face-to-face. These meetings are held during business hours on a Monday afternoon.

Each Board member also attends regular special purpose sub-committee meetings based on their field of professional expertise.

The period of appointment is for three years commencing October 2024. The position is not remunerated.

Board members are required to have a commitment to addressing disadvantage in Victorian state schools and display strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively and collaboratively whilst preserving independence.

Responsibilities of State Schools' Relief Board members include:

• Attending and actively contributing to decision making through regular Board meetings;
• Offering expertise in their field of professional expertise;
• Ensuring effective governance and organisational performance;
• Contributing to and review of strategic plans and risk management;
• Participating in special purpose sub-committees.

Time Commitment.

• Attendance at approximately 8 Board meetings per year, held every 6-8 weeks (approx. 1.5 -2 hrs), plus preparatory reading.
• Membership and attendance on at least one sub-committee, meeting approx. every two months for 2 hours.
• Attendance at the AGM and other ad-hoc events (approx. 2-3 per year).

Selection Criteria.

State Schools’ Relief strives to have a Board that illustrates cultural, age, gender and linguistic diversity to reflect Victoria’s broader community, coupled with relevant expertise, sound governance skills and a good understanding of the charity sector through paid or voluntary roles.

We are seeking suitably qualified Board members with competencies and credentials in the following skills areas:

• financial literacy
• strategic business planning and risk management
• information technology
• social enterprises
• marketing
• fundraising

Knowledge and experience of the Victorian Government structures and processes and contemporary knowledge and experience of Victorian government schools, the education system and its clients are desirable.

Should you require further information about State Schools’ Relief, please visit stateschoolsrelief.org.au

For further information regarding this position, please contact the Chair, Susan Mann on 0414 853 494.

Expressions of interest are invited by email to Susan Mann at susanpmann@gmail.com by Monday 12th August 2024.

Duty Statement: Australia