This unit applies to individuals with a broad knowledge of the business or core functions of organisations who contribute their skills and knowledge to monitoring and guiding the activities of the organisation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify the business of the organisation

1.1. Ensure the history of the organisation is known and understood

1.2. List and explain the core functions of the organisation

1.3. Explain the relationship between the organisation, stakeholders and other organisations/entities

2. Monitor operations

2.1. Identify and document outcomes for each operational area

2.2. Use information provided to review effectiveness and efficiency of operations

2.3. Suggest changes to operations if necessary

3. Follow the legal requirements when carrying out Board duties

3.1. List and describe relevant provisions of the legislation under which the organisation operates

3.2. Adhere to relevant aspects of Corporations Law

3.3. Adhere to the constitution of the organisation

3.4. List and comply with workplace responsibilities

3.5. Comply with the terms and conditions of funding agreements

4. Monitor trends and changes in the community

4.1. Attend community meetings, speaking on behalf of the Board as required and delegated

4.2. Maintain information and awareness of key stakeholders and political issues

4.3. Ensure the Board is informed of identified community and stakeholder needs

4.4. Review policies with respect to changing community needs, and incorporate into operations as required

5. Receive and act on community and stakeholder feedback

5.1. Receive and document feedback from the community and stakeholders about services

5.2. Evaluate feedback

5.3. Deal with feedback in accordance with policies and procedures, and in consultation with management

5.4. Document and support decisions with management

Required skills

culturally appropriate communication skills to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and to people with diverse abilities

communication and negotiation skills to work cooperatively with other Board members, management and staff of the organisation, key stakeholders and members of the community

literacy skills to read and interpret rules, regulations, policies and other workplace documentation

evaluation and decision making skills to review information presented to the Board and to enact decisions.

Required knowledge

cultural context relevant to the community and location: as boards of governance oversee a wide variety of organisations, they must therefore ensure that they operate within the traditional and cultural values of the relevant context/s

key provisions of relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operations, codes of practice and national standards, such as:

anti-discrimination legislation

consumer and corporations laws including appropriate state legislation

ethical principles

privacy laws

organisational constitution, codes of conduct functions, policies and procedures.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

contributing to analysis and decision making of issues affecting Board and organisational performance

managing a number of different tasks

dealing with irregularities and breakdowns in routine

knowledge of organisational constitution, codes of conduct functions, policies and procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

participation on an actual or simulated Board

access to office equipment and resources

examples of issues worked with by boards of governance, including community complaints, strategic decisions and internal staffing issues

examples of relevant documents.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

assessment of explanation of core functions of the organisation

assessment of descriptions of relevant provisions of the legislation under which the organisation operates

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

demonstration of techniques

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Board members

observation of performance in role plays

review of documented feedback from the community and stakeholders about services.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

other governance units.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Core functions may relate to:

provision of specific goods

provision of specific services

specific cultural contexts:

Boards of Indigenous organisations that are upholders of traditional and cultural values

Stakeholders and other organisations/entities may include:

commercial businesses owned by the corporation

community groups and organisations

competitors

consumers

joint owned entities held by other organisations

specific cultural groups:

related and non-related Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations

suppliers

trusts held by the organisation

Operational area may include:

divisions, branches and positions within the organisation

lines of accountability

Information provided to review effectiveness may include:

anecdotal information from the community

financial reports

reports from staff, consultants, other bodies

Legislation may include:

Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976

commonwealth, state/territory occupational health and safety (OHS) statutes

state/territory acts relating to core functions of the business or organisation

workplace agreements

Corporations Law may include:

Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) Act, as applicable to a range of Indigenous organisations

liabilities of Board members

responsibilities of Board members

Workplace responsibilities may include:

equal opportunity

OHS

staff contracts

Unit sector

Regulation, Licensing and Risk - Governance

This unit contains employability skills.