Trustee Position Description
The Organisation
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children and young people aged 6 through 18 with mentors in professionally
supported one-to-one relationships.
The young people served by the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme are among New Zealand’s most
vulnerable. The goal is to provide quality, committed mentoring wherever there is a need for the
programme. Consequently, in response to requests from local communities the programme has been
established in 15 locations around the country, with a number of other areas in the developmental stage.
Big Brothers Big Sisters was established in Auckland in 2011, initially operating under the National Office
until an Auckland Board was established in November 2012.
Research highlights the powerful, positive, lasting impact mentoring can have on children’s lives. The Big
Brothers Big Sisters model of mentoring has been affirmed by rigorous, ongoing external evaluation. This
independent research has shown the positive relationships between youth and their mentors have a direct
and measurable impact on children’s lives.
The Auckland branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters is a Member Agency of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New
Zealand which is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters International. As an affiliate of BBBS International the
organisation meets their strict guidelines and standards of delivery. The Big Brothers Big Sisters brand is
associated with excellence in service to youth, and that commitment to excellence in service delivery is
shared by the NZ team.
Our organisation is a non-profit organisation funded through sponsorship, donations, and grants at both
local and national level. Support from individuals, trusts and foundations, businesses, and local and central
government is vital to providing mentors for children in the community.
More information is available at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.nz
The Auckland Board
In October 2011 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Auckland began officially with the employment of a Programme
Launch Coordinator whose primary task was to work with Les Mills International and Les Mills of New
Zealand on a month long fundraising event, Les Mills Charity Bootcamp. The event attracted the largest
number of teams to ever participate in a Charity Bootcamp and raised just over $70,000. The funds raised
from this event, along with seed funding provided by the national office, enabled the Auckland branch to
begin the process of formally establishing the organisation in Auckland: recruiting volunteers; establishing a
board and legal entity; raising funds; and engaging corporate sponsors and partners. The same person who
had undertaken the initial three month Programme Launch Coordinator position was offered the fulltime
Programme Coordinator position and commenced this role on 1st January 2012.
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The current trustees on the national board are:
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David Lane (Board Chair) – Dave is Head of NZ Equities Advisory, UBS Equities New Zealand Limited.
Robert (Bobby) Newson – Tarakeha Te Maunga, Matihetihi Te Marae, Tao Maui Te Hapū, Te Rarawa Te
Iwi, Mitimiti Hokianga. Bobby has given over 40 years of service to the public, commencing in Māori
Affairs and the Māori Land Court, serving in the New Zealand Army as a soldier, 17 years as a New
Zealand Police officer, 10 years as a cultural advisor in the Human Rights Commission, and four years
with the Families Commission.
Natalie Meech – Natalie is HR Manager at Air New Zealand (Corporate) and has a background in law.
The Organisation’s Purpose
The aims and objectives of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Auckland are set out in the Trust’s constitution:
a.
b.
c.
d.
To implement and enhance Big Brothers Big Sisters programmes throughout the region;
To enter into and comply with the Member Agency Affiliation Agreement;
To comply with the National Standards;
Subject to the Member Agency Affiliation Agreement and the National Standards, to raise funds by
way of corporate or other sponsorships, grants, allocations, contracts, distributions, gifts, or other
means to meet the costs of the operation of the Trust and the delivery of BBBS programmes by the
Trust; and
e. To undertake any activity necessary or incidental to any of the matters set out in paragraphs (a) to
(d).
Appointment of Trustees
The current Auckland board in consultation with the National Board and National Director will carry out the
appointment of new trustees, taking into account the skills and interests of candidates and matching those
with the needs of the organisation.
All board members will be asked to complete a Police background check prior to appointment.
The constitution provides for a three year term for trustees, who retire by rotation but are eligible for reelection. Meetings are generally held monthly for about two hours, and trustees may also be involved from
time to time in providing specialist assistance (possibly through subcommittees), and representing Big
Brothers Big Sisters at external meetings or events.
Because the Auckland Board is a new Board and a new organisation, the time commitment is expected to
initially be somewhat greater in the first phased of development than it will be later on once it becomes a
well-established Board.
Statutory Duties
The statutory duties of a trustee are:
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To ensure that Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) complies with its governing document, charity law,
company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
To ensure that BBBS pursues its objectives as defined in its constitution.
To ensure that BBBS uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
To contribute actively to the Trust Board’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation,
defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
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To safeguard the good name and values of BBBS.
To endure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s
funds.
General Responsibilities
The general responsibilities of a trustee are:
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Organisation Knowledge - maintaining a working knowledge of the foundation documents specific to
BBBS of Auckland: Mission & Values, Strategic Plan, Constitution, Policies (“rules”), and Mentoring
Programs (at least an outline of day to day processes)
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External Environment Monitoring - maintaining awareness of potential future external influences on the
achievement of BBBS of Auckland’s strategic goals.
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Minimizing potential conflicts of interest.
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Preparing for and attending board meetings, notifying the Chair of any individual absence.
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Being mindful of the board’s overall roles and responsibilities:
o Establishing and maintaining foundation documents
o Devising, implementing, and continually updating strategies
o Monitoring performance
o Ensuring compliance.
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Making an active and thoughtful contribution to meetings, while avoiding irrelevant matters or
statements.
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Assisting the organisation directly as follows but only as agreed and recorded by board meetings,
acknowledging the difference between governance and administrative tasks and using a trustee’s own
external networks where possible:
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Providing specialist or administrative assistance to the Coordinator.
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Involvement in board committees.
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Involvement in fundraising.
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Lobbying or representing the organisation to external parties.
Trustee Competencies
The competencies therefore being sought from new trustees are listed. While it is not expected that any
appointee would possess all of these competencies, strong skills in at least some areas as well as a
willingness to learn others is considered essential. A balance of various skills across the board will be sought.
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Governance Orientation - understanding and performing governance functions and distinguishing
governance from management.
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Political awareness - understanding and adapting to the external political context of the day, actively
maintaining appropriate interactions with government.
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Sector knowledge - understanding the wider area of social services for youth.
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Group representation – the knowledge and contacts to represent any particular cultural/ethnic or other
relevant community group that is under-represented.
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Compliance knowledge - understanding and complying with the fiduciary responsibilities and legal
frameworks for directors and trustees in NZ.
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Financial fluency - understanding basic financial concepts in order to assess current financial
performance and maintain a focus on future financial conditions.
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Risk management - understanding all of the significant risks involved for this organisation as well as the
available means to manage them.
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Brand awareness - understanding what the Big Brothers Big Sisters brand represents and what is
required to protect it.
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Communication channels - understanding how to use various media to assist the organisation.
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Personal external networks – maintaining a wide network of contacts who may be able to assist the
organisation.
Some of the more general skills sought include:
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Big picture thinking - maintaining a strategic outlook and reflecting on strategic goals when monitoring
achievements and variances from plans, and comprehending relevant external environments.
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Critical thinking - able to analyse, assess, evaluate, distil and question information.
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Strategy & culture – able to contribute to strategy formulation and implementation and the
development of organisational culture based on the vision and values.
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Quality vs quantity - understanding the need to balance growth against maintaining high quality
outcomes.
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Performance monitoring – experienced in setting and monitoring key performance indicators that are
consistent with the strategic goals.
Trustee Attributes
The attributes or personal qualities sought in trustees for Big Brothers Big Sisters include:
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Strong personal integrity and self-knowledge.
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Emotionally intelligent, self-motivated and respectful of others.
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Able to work cooperatively while accepting a diversity of viewpoints.
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Able to form effective relationships with co-trustees, local staff, and other stakeholders and external
parties.
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A frank, open and confident communicator, willing to admit errors.
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Having a personal commitment to the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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A sense of humour. Voluntary service is important but it should also be fun.
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Able and willing to donate time, expertise, contacts, and influence.
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Alert and open to change, encouraging new initiatives.
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Both an active listener and an active participant in boardroom discussions.
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Inventive and original when tackling issues and solving problems.
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Willing to take responsibility for board decision consequences and implications.
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A commitment to personal development and lifelong learning.
Please contact the National Director, Dave Marshall for further details:
[email protected]
Cell: 021 1906 223
(04) 3848385
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