ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Ensure clarity of role and responsibilities of governing body

1.1 Identify governing body role and responsibilities in relation to organisation's compliance with own objectives and legislative/regulatory requirements, financial performance and solvency, policy development and/or ratification, risk management and internal management

1.2 Focus on strategic direction to maintain integrity of organisation's purpose and activities

1.3 At all times act reasonably, in the interests of the organisation and its stakeholders, independently of any other group or organisation

1.4 Maintain equal responsibility for the actions and decisions of the governing body

1.5 Where involved in operation decisions and matters, maintain clear distinction between role at strategic and operational levels

1.6 Where appropriate, contribute to definition of roles, responsibilities and terms of reference of sub-committees and individual members of governing body

2. Maintain compliance of organisation

2.1 Monitor organisation's performance and address any issues relating to compliance with own governing document, financial solvency, legislative/regulatory and, where appropriate licensing/accreditation requirements

2.2 Monitor and review organisation policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance, especially in relation to changing requirements

2.3 Monitor any fund raising activities and donations to ensure compliance with relevant requirements

2.4 Review changing trends in the community sector to ensure organisation's ongoing adherence to and leadership in promoting and applying underpinning philosophy and approaches

3. Review and maintain organisation systems, policies and procedures

3.1 Set and maintain relevant systems of financial control, internal control, performance reporting and policies and procedures

3.2 Put in place and ensure implementation of system for regular review of organisation's internal policies, systems and controls to ensure their effectiveness

3.3 Where appropriate set up quality assurance/audit practices, processes and personnel

4. Manage risk

4.1 Identify and assess risks facing the organisation, staff, users and other stakeholders, and take appropriate steps to minimise exposure to risk

4.2 Avoid undertaking activities which may place at undue risk organisation's users, beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, property, assets or reputation

4.3 Obtain advice from appropriate authorities if required in relation to matters where there may be material risk to the organisation or where trustees may be in breach of their duties

4.4 As a member of the governing body, take ultimate responsibility for dealing with and managing conflicts that may arise within or on behalf of the organisation

4.5 Put in place policy and procedures to enable confidential reporting of matters of concern, such as misconduct, misuse of funds, mis-management and risks to the organisation or its stakeholders

5. Ensure principles of access, equity and inclusion are promoted and applied

5.1 Set strategies and action plans to support organisation's achievement of access, equity and inclusion objectives

5.2 Monitor and review organisation's application of principles of access, equity and inclusion in relation to:

identification and assessment of needs to be met

allocation of resources and provision of services

membership of governing body and any asub-committees

staff recruitment, selection, training and conditions of service

communication with stakeholders and public

accessibility of meetings and communications

purchase/procurement of goods and services

5.3 Where organisation is set up to service a specific section of the community, ensure this is clear and that principles of access, equity and inclusion are interpreted and applied in a manner appropriate to organisation objectives

6. Contribute to maintaining functional governing body

6.1 Contribute to regular review of effectiveness of governing body

6.2 Contribute to recruitment and selection of new members of governing body

6.3 Contribute to ongoing strategic review of organisation's work as a basis for constructive change and innovation

6.4 Ensure all staff, volunteers and agents have clear and sufficient delegated authority to discharge their duties effectively, where necessary within clearly identified limits relating to budgetary and/or other matters

7. Maintain integrity of governance

7.1 Ensure any benefit from involvement in governance of the organisation is within what is allowable by law and in the interests of the organisation

7.2 Identify and promptly declare any actual or potential conflict of interest and, if necessary, offer to resign from position of governance

7.3 Follow organisation guidelines for declaration of personal gifts or hospitality received in relation to organisation's business or from personnel or organisations connected with the organisation

7.4 Maintain open communication and consultation between the organisation and its stakeholders to ensure:

key stakeholders are encouraged to engage in planning and decision-making processes

stakeholder views are taken into account in decision-making

stakeholders are informed and consulted on relevant plans and proposed developments

feedback and complaints from stakeholders are processed appropriately

organisation governance, performance, impacts and outcomes are openly reported to stakeholders