NOTES OF OXFAM BOARD MEETINGS - 16 AND 17 OCTOBER 2014
Australia/New Zealand Collaboration
Oxfam Australia and Oxfam New Zealand have been in dialogue for some months to assess the scope for closer collaboration between the 2 agencies. After preparatory work, the boards of OAU and ONZ met over 2 days to discuss prospects for closer co-operation which may offer efficiencies in delivering core programs and a move towards a ‘One Oxfam’ model consistent with Oxfam 2020 objectives. The 2 boards agreed to continue discussions and review progress in several months.
Core Activities
The CEO reported a high level of activity within OAU and a busy forward schedule including emergent responses to Ebola, preparations for major campaigning on inequality, having a voice on the occasion of the G20 meeting and progress on OAU process for compliance with the ACFID Code of Conduct.
Oxfam 2020
The Executive Board met in Barcelona in October to advance the Oxfam 2020 initiatives ahead of the Board of Supervisors meeting in November. The OAU Board provided strong support for the thrust of the 2020 recommendations including in principle support for investment in 2020 initiatives and expressed its views for strengthening the integration and change processes that 2020 will require.
Implementing the Strategic Plan
OAU moves further into implementation of its Strategic Plan and, at this meeting, the Board considered sample reporting against the Operational Plan, produced with the assistance of Social Ventures Australia. Monitoring progress against the Operational Plan will be a key role of the Board into the future.
Financial Matters
The Board accepted OAU’s statutory accounts accounts for 2014 which had received an unqualified opinion from our auditors Ernst and Young (reappointed as auditors as for a further 3 years). The surplus recorded in 2014 is expected to be achieved in 2015 despite continuing pressures to sustain growth in income. A report was provided on the upgrading of risk management for the agency.
Regular reports
The Board received reports on the active work programs of the Public Engagement, Governance, Nominations and Finance Risk and Audit Committees and working groups on corporate and private sector engagement and a special working group formed to support the Australian response to Oxfam 2020.
Comings and Goings
This was the last Board meeting of our Chair, Jane Hutchison, whose immense commitment and contribution were acknowledged and we said goodbye and thank you to Sabina Curatolo whose term as staff participant came to an end. Professor Barbara Rugendyke and Judi Moylan were appointed to the Board with effect from December 2014. Also in December, Bridgette Thorold will commence her term as staff participant.