As a Board member of the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC), you have a special opportunity to contribute to the work and life of the organisation. Being on the Board can be challenging at times, but it is also an incredibly rewarding way to help ALEC achieve its environmental and charitable purpose.
Time Commitment and Expectations
Board members commit around 6-10 hours per month, including meetings, preparation, and subcommittee participation.
Depending on organisation requirements, sub committees may meet on a regular basis to work on particular projects. Board members are encouraged to join sub committees that suit their skillset. Sub committees can include non board members who wish to contribute to a particular ALEC project at the discretion of the board.
Communication
All official Board communication and access to documents occur through your ALEC Board Gmail account (login details provided separately).
A WhatsApp group is also used for informal and time-sensitive communication. Please note that WhatsApp is not suitable for formal decisions or any discussion where a record must be kept.
Composition of the Board
The Board of Governance consists of:
- Chair
- Deputy Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Up to five general members
Unless elected directly as a separate office holder, the Board must appoint one Board member to serve as Public Officer.
Board roles and responsibilities
Chair
The Chair provides leadership to the Board and ensures effective and inclusive governance.
They preside over all general and Board meetings and represent ALEC in an official capacity as required.
If the Chair is absent, the Deputy Chair presides over meetings.
Deputy Chair
The Deputy Chair supports the Chair in their leadership and governance responsibilities and acts as Chair when the Chair is unavailable.
They may also lead specific governance or liaison functions as delegated by the Board.
Secretary
The Secretary ensures ALEC meets its legislative and record-keeping obligations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Keeping accurate minutes of all general and Board meetings (in accordance with Section 38 of the Act)
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Ensuring that the register of members is maintained (Section 34 of the Act)
- Performing any other duties required under the Constitution
Treasurer
The Treasurer oversees ALEC’s financial integrity and sustainability, working closely with the Board and the Manager.
Key responsibilities include:
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Monitoring the Association’s financial position and reporting to the Board
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Ensuring all financial obligations and records comply with legal and regulatory requirements
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Supporting the preparation of annual financial statements and audits
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Performing any other duties required under the Constitution.
Note that ALEC engages a bookkeeper, accountant and external auditor to ensure compliance with payroll, taxation, and ACNC requirements.
Public Officer
The Public Officer ensures ALEC meets its statutory obligations under the Associations Act, including:
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Filing required documents with the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs (Sections 23, 28, and 45)
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Maintaining a current copy of ALEC’s Constitution
General Members
General members contribute their knowledge, experience, and networks to strengthen ALEC’s governance and impact.
They participate actively in Board meetings, serve on subcommittees, and uphold ALEC’s values and mission.
Manager Responsibilities
The ALEC Manager plays a key operational and financial role, supporting the Board to implement its decisions and ensure compliance with financial and reporting obligations.
The Manager must:
- Ensure all financial transactions and instruments (including EFTs, cheques, bills, or promissory notes) are approved in line with the Board’s schedule of delegations
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Keep ALEC’s accounting records in accordance with Section 41 of the Act
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Coordinate the preparation of ALEC’s annual statement of accounts
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Provide reports, balance sheets, or financial statements to the Board as directed by the Treasurer
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Maintain custody of all financial documents, securities, and accounting records, unless the members decide otherwise at a general meeting
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Perform any other duties required by the Constitution, their position description, or delegated in writing by the Board.