The SLSNSW Board implements SLS national and state policies and provides the services necessary to support the activities of SLSNSW branches and SLSCs. It does this through its relationship with SLSNSW management via the CEO.
The SLSNSW Board’s role is to have the primary responsibility to SLS members for the sustainability and relevance of SLSNSW through the delivery of the SLSNSW Strategic Plan. The SLSNSW Board Charter governs its activities.
The SLSNSW Board serves the SLS community by actively participating in good governance, upholding its responsibility to various stakeholders and maintaining SLSNSW’s stature in the Sport and Emergency Services Sectors.
The Board must oversee SLSNSW’s compliance and performance, ensuring:
Compliance
That the organisation:
a. Is a good and responsible corporate citizen, including in relation to prudent solvency and risk principles
b. Complies with its Constitution and with all relevant laws, codes of conduct and appropriate standards of behaviour
c. Encourages all Directors to comply with their responsibilities as directors and leaders, both internally and externally, maintaining a focus on the organisation as a whole
d. Acts in the best interests of its members, its other stakeholders and the public
e. Ensures that it has appropriate corporate governance structures in place, including standards of ethical behaviour and promoting a culture of corporate and social responsibility.
Performance
That the organisation:
a. Determines and regularly reviews the strategic direction of the organisation, including its vision, mission values and strategies
b. Reviews and approves the strategic plan, risk management planning, any business plans and the annual budget such that these support the agreed strategic objectives
c. Appoints and reviews the performance of the CEO, including succession planning for the CEO role
d. Approves, monitors and is accountable for the financial and non-financial performance of the organisation, including setting fees
e. Ensures policies on key issues are in place and appropriate and that these can be applied effectively and legally to those participants or persons for whom they are intended
f. Provides an avenue for key stakeholder input into the strategic direction of the organisation, including the review and appropriate ratification of recommendations from committees, management, panels and working groups
g. Ensures Director, Board and Chairperson performance evaluation and professional development occurs regularly.
The SLSNSW Board is represented by up to nine individuals (seven elected and up to two members may be appointed) to oversee the governance and strategic direction of SLSNSW. Each of its members has fiduciary responsibilities and accountabilities for the SLSNSW organisation’s activities. There are three Specified Directors (below), and the remaining six members are considered Unspecified Directors.
- President
- Vice President
- Director of Lifesaving.
The Board meets a minimum of six times per year. Each Director has a tenure of 3 years, to a maximum of 6 years (noting the transitional arrangements as part of the SLSNSW Constitution, September 2020). Directors fulfil a role as Chair or member of various SLSNSW Standing Committees, which provide input and guidance to the SLSNSW Board on matters specific to their respective portfolio areas.
The SLSNSW President sits on the SLSA Board, representing all SLSNSW members’ views at a national level.
Refer to the latest SLSNSW Constitution and SLSNSW Annual Report for more information on the SLSNSW board and its members.