“ Seeking to promote and protect the human rights of children, young people and adults with disabilities/long term health conditions through the empowerment of their parents as advocates”

Parent Action CIC Board Officer Role Description

TREASURER

Parent Action CIC

Parent Action CIC is a regionwide, membership organisation and community interest company in Northern Ireland (NI647570). Parent Action CIC supports families, parents, children, young people and adults with disabilities and long term health conditions, to have their voices heard in health, social care and education services, through;

  • Independent Family Advocacy services,
  • Family Engagement and Participation Services, and
  • Enabling Consultancy Services to public service providers
  • Engagement and Advocacy training for parents, young people, adults with disabilities/longterm health conditions, and the health, social care and educational professionals who support them in their homes, schools and communities.

The Role of the Parent Action CIC Board

The Parent Action CIC Board is a group of people responsible for the longterm direction and guidance of Parent Action CIC. Each Board Member, has a legal duty to act in good faith in the pursuit of the best interests and purposes of Parent Action CIC, and the role of the Board is to direct and NOT manage the CIC.

Board members have a responsibility to ensure there is a business plan, and approve it, but it is the role of the employees and volunteers of Parent Action CIC, to implement it.

In directing Parent Action CIC, the Board needs appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding of the rights and preferences of Parent Action’s beneficiaries, customers and other stakeholders. It is the responsibility of the Board to scrutinise it’s and the CIC’s performance, and hold employees and volunteers to account.

The Board members of Parent Action CIC, individually and collectively, have legal responsibility for governing the organisation. ALL directors are equal in the eyes of the law, regardless of their title or appointment, and each member has an equal duty to care for and work in the best interests of Parent Action CIC.

Internally, the Board is responsible for the overall direction and supervision of Parent Action CIC, and externally, the Board is responsible for;

1.Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations (Annual submissions to the CIC Regulator, Companies House and HMRC).

2.Accountability to funders, other stakeholders and the wider community

Board Treasurer of Parent Action CIC Board : Role Purpose

1. To promote the community benefit purposes, mission, vision and values of Parent Action CIC.

2.To take part in formulating and monitoring progress against the strategic aims of Parent Action CIC.

3. Work with other Board members to ensure that the policy and practices of Parent Action CIC are in keeping with its mission, values and vision.

4. Work with other Board members to ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a community benefit, not for profit organisation and strives to achieve best practice.

5. Each Board member works with the Chair individually, to identify any skill and learning needs of the Board member, and takes responsibility for rectifying any knowledge deficits, with support of the Board.

6. To deal with all aspects of finance and funding, although some aspects of this work can be delegated to the Business Development Sub Committee.

7. To have general financial oversight, in partnership with other Board members, advising the Board on all aspects of finance.

Treasurer of Parent Action CIC Board : Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.Formulating Strategic Aims

  • Consider Parent Action CIC as a whole, our beneficiaries, other stakeholders, customers and networks, whether as a member of the Board, or any of its committees, sub committes, groups etc.
  • Reflect Parent Action CIC’s Vision and Values (Appendix 2), strategy and major policies when appropriate.
  • Contribute specific skills, interests, contacts, networks and support and promote Parent Action CIC in appropriate activities.
  • Contribute fully to the recruitment and induction of new Board members and improving the Board’s performance.

2. Ensuring Policies, Practices and Projects, are in keeping with Parent Action CIC’s values, mission and community benefit purposes.

  • Ensure own familiarity and confidence in talking with others outside the organisation, about Parent Action’s purposes, mission and values.
  • Serving responsibly by attending meetings as a well informed, interested and supportive Board member.
  • Attending Board meetings as regularly as possible.
  • Calling the Annual General Meeting for Parent Action CIC, and ensuring elections to officer roles and to the Board itself, are held as required.
  • Have read and understood Parent Actions CIC Articles of Association, particularly sections relating to the roles and responsibilities of Board members.
  • Have read and understood the CIC Regulator document Good Governance Guide (2015).
  • Attend Governance Training for Board members, as and when required, and directed by the Board Chair.
  • Enter into legal undertakings on behalf of Parent Action CIC and ensure that legal obligations are met in relation to;

Contracts of Employment, implementation of Parent Action’s Volunteer Policy and Procedures, Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedures, Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, Confidentiality and Data Protection Policy, Lease, licence or tenancy agreements, Health and Safety Legislation, including Parent Action’s Lone Worker Policy; Public, employer and contents insurance, bank accounts/loans/overdrafts, fundraising and grant management.

  • Accept personal responsibility for keeping up to date with mandatory training required by Parent Action CIC Articles of Association, funders requirements and local government and statutory services mandatory training requirements, including Access NI checks if necessary.

3. Ensuring Best Practice in Board Functions

  • Commitment to attend and participate in Board meetings. If absence is unavoidable, ensure absent member takes responsibility for communicating with present Board members about what happened at the missed meeting. Virtual or teleconference attendence at meetings is an available option for Board members, with appropriate notice to the Chair.
  • Maintain good relations with staff, volunteers, other Board members and be willing to be visible to beneficiaries and customers, as a Parent Action CIC Board member.
  • Make your level of delegated authority clear to management and volunteers.
  • Read all materials prior to meetings, submitting questions or items for the agenda, in good time prior to the meeting.
  • Understand all information provided to the Board and always seek clarification if unsure.
  • Read all Board papers carefully.
  • Read all minutes before agreeing, and ensure they accurately reflect proceedings.
  • Voice your concerns and ensure they are minuted.
  • Avail of Parent Action CIC training on Parent Action’s Whistleblowing Policy, and ensure all Board members, staff and volunteers are also aware of this policy, and can avail of training in it’s implementation and use.
  • Declare conflicts of interest and refrain from further involvement in discussion.
  • Use financial information in making key decisions.
  • Observe confidentiality at all times. Voice concerns immediately, about any potential breaches of data protection or confidentiality.
  • Take part in all training sessions provided for the benefit of Board members.
  • Be willing to support staff and volunteers at public events, meetings, consultations with customers, beneficiaries and stakeholders, ensuring visibility of the Boards support at all levels of the CIC and it’s work.
  • Provide feedback to Board members, on the effectiveness of meetings and how the governance of Parent Action CIC could be improved.
  • Act as an effective external Ambassador for Parent Action CIC at all times, or when required.

4. Establish and promote Parent Action CIC’s Mission, Vision and Values

  • Determine the CIC’s vision and mission to guide and set the pace for it’s current operations and future development.
  • Determine the values to be promoted throughout the CIC
  • Determine and review CIC goals.

5. Set Strategy and Structure

  • Review and evaluate present and future opportunities, threats and risks in the external environment, and current and future strengths, weaknesses and risks relating to the CIC.
  • Contribute to as many as possible of the work plans of Parent Action Boards Sub Committees on; Business Development, Research and Evaluation, Governance and HR/Volunteering.
  • Determine strategic options, select those to be pursued, and decide the means to implement and support them.
  • Determine the business strategies and plans that underpin the corporate strategy.
  • Ensure that the CIC’s organisational structure and capability are appropriate for implementing the chosen strategies.
  • Oversight of all sales, contracts and fundraising within Parent Action CIC.
  • Oversight of financial planning and budgeting
  • Oversight of banking, book-keeping and record-keeping
  • Oversight and control of fixed assets and stock.

6. Delegate to Management

  • Delegate authority to the Nurse Consultant/CEO, Company Secretary and Administrators, to manage the CIC (when in post), and monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, strategies and business plans.
  • Determine monitoring criteria to be used by the Board.
  • Ensure that internal controls are effective.
  • Communicate effectively with Senior Management, ensuring that the voice, preferences and priorities of the Parent Action Membership, are heard and given due weight in strategic planning for the CIC.

7. Exercise Accountablity and be Responsible to Relevant Stakeholders

  • Ensure that communications both to and from Parent Action CIC membership and other stakeholders and customers are effective.
  • Understand and take into account the interests of all relevant stakeholders, particularly beneficiaries and members.
  • Monitor relations with all stakeholder groups by gathering and evaluation of appropriate information.
  • Promote the goodwill and support of all stakeholders.

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