Volunteer Opportunity: WIRE Voluntary Board Director

WIRE is seeking applications for Board Directors. The organisation is celebrating 40 years since it began. It has a new strategic plan and is looking to continue to deliver services and advocacy to achieve its vision of a just and inclusive society where all people can thrive.

About WIRE

WIRE (originally known as Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc) now delivers services to respond to the needs of women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

We offer the only Victoria-wide free generalist information, support and referral service, as well as build community and public gender equity capacity through advocacy, research, resource development, training and consultancy. For further information about WIRE, including programs, strategic plan and annual reports, see our
website: www.wire.org.au.

Our principles underpin how we work as a team, the partnerships we form, and the way we research, design and deliver our programs. Our principles are:

• Human rights and social justice
• Courage and leadership
• Intersectional feminism
• Person-centred and responsive
• Evidence and improvement
• Sustainable and interdependent change
• Transparent and accountable
• Respectful collaboration and co-design
• Curiosity and growth

About the Board

Our Board is collaborative and dynamic, with a strong, collective understanding of the strategic direction of WIRE. Board members have a range of skills, experiences, and knowledge, supporting informed decision making. Previous governance experience is welcome but not essential.

The role of the Board is to ensure that WIRE carries out its vision and achieves its strategic objectives practically, sustainably, ethically and in accordance with its constitution, relevant laws, regulations and good governance practice.

The Board meets approximately six times per year, with meetings held outside business hours and a flexible mix of face-to-face and online. Board roles are voluntary positions with expenses reimbursed.

The Board and its committees’ responsibilities include:

• Setting the strategic direction and monitoring the overall performance outcomes and workplace culture.
• Overseeing financial, audits and asset and risk management.
• Appointing and monitoring the performance of the CEO.
• Endorsing the annual report.
• Operating in accordance with the financial, social and ethical objectives as set out in WIRE’s governance manual and policies.
• Ensuring that WIRE’s internal and external practices including advocacy and campaigns are aligned with intersectional feminist priorities and objectives as set out in WIRE’s strategic plan.
• Identifying and advising on sector trends, risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to the preparation of Board papers and presentations, as required.
• Participating in relevant sub-committees and working groups.

About the role

We are seeking new Directors with a demonstrated interest in the outcomes of WIRE’s work for women, non-binary and gender diverse people.

All women, non-binary and gender diverse people with lived experience or skills, passion and interest in WIRE’s work are encouraged to apply.

We are specifically looking for candidates with experience, knowledge or skills in one or more of the following:

• Accountancy and/or finance
• Marketing and public relations
• Business development and/or social enterprise management
• Lived experience of family violence, financial abuse or other form of marginalisation (and are willing to apply this experience in a professional capacity to advance WIRE’s work).

Other desirable (but not essential) skills include:

• Prior experience on a not-for-profit or private sector Board, or experience providing reports to a Board.

• Sound understanding of laws and regulations governing not-for-profit associations.

Board members are elected for an initial period of three years.

Please contact Red Dearnley (they/them), Deputy Chair at red@influenceglobal.net or 0411 772 949 for any questions about the role.

WIRE welcomes applications from women, and non-binary and gender-diverse people, especially from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and people who are multilingual, are from culturally diverse communities, have disabilities, are neurodivergent or who identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community.

WIRE acknowledges the skills and knowledge acquired through lived experience. This could include experiences of marginalisation and family violence. We would love to hear from people who are able to utilise these skills and knowledge they have gained on WIRE’s board.

To apply for this role, please email your current resume and a cover letter that has a short response describing an example of your experience, knowledge or suitable skills for the role to Red Dearnley (they/them), Deputy Chair at red@influenceglobal.net by 9am Monday 5th June 2023.

If there is anything we can do to make this recruitment process more accessible or safe for you due to your lived experience or circumstances, please let us know. You can also record an audio or video response (up to 5 minutes) or arrange a phone call response to the key selection criteria by emailing red@influenceglobal.net to request this option.