Charities Commission Governance
The Charities Commission Board
Under the Crown Entities Act 2004, the Board is the governing body of the Charities Commission.
All decisions relating to the Charities Commission’s operations must be made by, or under the authority of the Board, in accordance with the Crown Entities Act and the Charities Act 2005.
The Board is appointed by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and consists of between five and seven members. Requirements for Board membership include the commitment to work for the greater good of the Charities Commission and knowledge, skill, experience and expertise relevant to the Commission’s affairs to assist the Commission to achieve its objectives and perform its functions.
The Board reports to the Minister quarterly against its Output Agreement.
Board’s role and responsibilities
The Board’s role is to:
• oversee the governance and performance of the Commission
• set the strategic direction and work priorities for the Commission and to monitor these
• select and appoint the Chief Executive and monitor the Chief Executive’s performance
• approve the annual work programme and budget of the Commission
• approve the key accountability documents for the Commission, such as the Annual Report, Statement of Intent and the Output Agreement
• attend the Commission’s Annual Meeting and report on the work of the Commission
• establish and monitor the Board’s own governance policies.
Board members
The Charities Commission Board members are profiled overleaf.
The Chair
The Board Chair has the responsibility of:
• leading, chairing, and managing the Board
• providing leadership and guidance for Board members
• working with and providing guidance to the Chief Executive
• liaising with the Commission’s responsible Minister as the most senior Board member.
Members
The current Board’s skills include experience working in the charitable sector, both nationally and internationally, governance, senior management, law, accounting, iwi development, public and private sector management, the arts and church activities.
Board members are responsible for:
• providing expertise, advice and input into issues and work the Commission is undertaking
• engaging with the Commission’s stakeholders at national, regional and local levels.
The Crown Entities Act 2004 sets out the collective and individual duties of Board members.
Induction
On appointment, all Board members receive appropriate induction and guidance as to their role as Board members of the Charities Commission.
Induction includes information on the affairs of the Commission, its issues, staff, financial position and the relevant legislation. Board members are also given the opportunity to discuss operational and administrative matters with the Chair and the Chief Executive.
Integrity and Conduct
Code of Conduct
The Board is committed to ethical conduct in all areas of its responsibilities and authority. It has adopted a Code of Conduct that is in accordance with the Crown Entities Act 2004.
Ethical conduct includes acting with honesty and integrity at all times in the interest of the Commission and its stakeholders, ensuring that the public, all stakeholders, and particularly those who are recipients
of services, are treated fairly, according to their rights.
Disclosure of Interests
The Board places great importance on making clear any existing or potential interests of its members.
All interests must be declared by the Board member concerned to the Chair and are documented in the Board’s Register of Interests.
The Board has identified nine classes of interest that classify the nature of interests that a Board member could have, such as interests in charitable entities or as a provider of professional services.
Where a conflict of interest is identified, the Board member concerned is not permitted to participate in any Board or committee discussion or decision on that matter, or matters felt by the Board to be closely related, except if permitted otherwise under section 68 of the Crown Entities Act.
Board meetings and Committees
The Board meets monthly and at other times as required. During 2006/07 Board meetings have been of two days length, due to the volume of work before the Charities Commission.
The Board has established Standing Committees to help it more efficiently undertake its work.
Human Resources Committee
Members of this Committee were Sid Ashton (Chair), Ian Calder and Judith Timpany. This Committee oversees the selection and performance management of the Chief Executive.
Communications and Education Committee
Members of this Committee were Pat Webster (Chair), Frank Claridge, Amohaere Houkamau and Judith Timpany. This Committee provides oversight and guidance in the areas of communications and education.
Register Establishment Committee
Members of this Committee were Sid Ashton (Chair), Ian Calder, Kerry Ayers and Judith Timpany. This Committee provided oversight and guidance for the Commission’s Registration Project and was dis-established in April 2007 after the Commission’s Register of charitable entities opened.
Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee
Members of this Committee were Sid Ashton (Chair), Kerry Ayers, Judith Timpany, and Frank Claridge. This Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities relative to financial reporting, risk
management and legislative compliance by the Charities Commission.
Registration Committee
Members of this Committee were Kerry Ayers (Chair), Sid Ashton, Ian Calder, Frank Claridge, Amohaere Houkamau, Judith Timpany and Pat Webster. The Board established this Committee in April 2007 to provide guidance and support in the fulfilment of the Commission’s statutory obligations under the Charities Act to register charities.
Registration Project Steering Committee
This Committee acted as an advisory committee to the Board regarding the project that established the Commission’s Register of charitable entities which opened in February 2007. This Committee was disestablished in April 2007.