Nominate Now: 2020 YWCA Board and Young Women’s Council

Want to be part of a Board that positively impacts the lives of women, young women and girls? YWCA Australia is currently inviting suitable candidates to nominate for the 2020 election process.

Four director positions are available, at least one of which must be filled by a Young Woman (that is a woman who is 30 years old or younger at the time of her appointment). Four of our directors are standing down at this AGM and two of these are standing for re-election. 

What we’re looking for

The board has identified the following skill sets to seek as a matter of priority:

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Risk management
• Current or recent financial literacy
• Business acumen and experience

Applications will be reviewed by the Nominations Committee, a shortlist will be invited to interview and at least 6 women will be selected to be put to the Membership for voting.

YWCA values diversity of thought and experience and strongly encourage women with diverse lived experiences, identities and backgrounds to apply – including young women, those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, living with a disability, LGBTIQA+ or from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Our Board

The YWCA Australia Board is a skills based board currently made up of 11 Directors, 60% of whom are elected by the Members with the balance being appointed by the Board.  We are constitutionally required to have 1/3 of our Directors as Young Women (30 or under at the time of appointment) and seek to exceed this target. 

Directors of the YWCA Australia Board are also appointed as directors of the subsidiaries, also companies limited by guarantee, YWCA Housing and YWCA National Housing.  There are three Board established Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Property Assets Committee and People, Culture and Governance Committee. As a Director you may also be asked to join one of those Committees to offer your expertise or as a learning experience.

Can you do it?

Applicants must be eligible to be appointed as a Director within the requirements of the Constitution, the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the ACNC Act.  Key requirements are that the Director must be:

• Female, or identify as female, and at least 18 years old;
• An Ordinary Member of YWCA Australia, a Life Member of YWCA Australia or a member of the Board of World YWCA. Is not an employee of the Company;
• Consents in writing to be a director; and
• Is not prohibited from being a director by reason of the Corporations Act.

Your performance will be reviewed annually.

This position will require the applicant to satisfactorily complete a national criminal history record check prior to appointment.

How to apply to be a candidate

• Download the full Position Description (PDF, 136KB).
• Create a Cover Letter setting out why you wish to be appointed to the YWCA Australia Board and addressing each Selection Criteria individually (Qualifications, Experience and Attitude).
• Submit your nomination online, or send your Cover Letter, resume, photo (at least 500px width x 700px height) and a brief paragraph (max 200 words) that you would use to describe yourself to companysec@ywca.org.au.  You should note that your photo and the paragraph may be used in the election material to be sent to Members.

Nomination process closes 5pm 3 September 2020.

Please note: the YWCA Nominations Committee will review your application to ensure it aligns with the selection principles agreed by the Members and selection criteria agreed by the Board.  Candidates selected to stand for election will be interviewed in late September, which will give nominees an opportunity to get a feel for the operating principles and culture of YWCA and the Board.

The Nominations Committee will recommend to the Board which candidates should be proposed for election or appointment to ensure that the skills required from this selection meet the needs identified by the Board; the Board will approve candidates in late September.  It is anticipated that at least 6 candidates will be nominated for election.

Eligible candidates will be notified in advance of the voting period which will run from 2 October – 25 October.  The candidates will be notified of the results in early November and administrative tasks involved with appointment, including background checks, will be undertaken.  Results will be announced to the Membership at the YWCA AGM, which will be held online on 19 November.  Elected candidates will not be expected to attend or speak at the AGM.

Current YWCA Australia Directors:

*These Directors are standing down. Lina Tchung and Nicole Freeman are standing for re-election.

Further detail on our current Board can be found here.

Questions?

All questions can be sent to companysec@ywca.org.au.

Join YWCA Australia’s Young Women’s Council and contribute to national feminist policy, advocacy, member engagement and organisational strategy.

Membership of the Young Women’s Council offers the opportunity to gain new skills and networks and be part of the global YWCA movement of passionate young women and girls. You’ll work for a period of two years with 17 other young women and girls aged between 12 and 30 from all around Australia.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for young women aged 12-30 years old who share the feminist vision and values of YWCA Australia, and are passionate and committed to the elevating the rights and voice of young women in Australia.

We encourage young women with all levels of experience to apply. This is a national role and applications are welcomed from all States and Territories, including from regional, remote and rural areas.

YWCA values diversity of thought and experience and strongly encourage young women with diverse lived experiences, identities and backgrounds to apply – including those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, living with a disability, LGBTIQA+ or from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Can you do it?

Applicants must be:

• Identify as a woman or non-binary person and be aged between 12 and 30 at time of appointment
• A member of YWCA Australia (join today)

We estimate that this role is approximately 5 hours per month. In addition, it is a requirement of all Young Women’s Council members to attend the in-person meeting in February 2021, to be held in Sydney on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February 2021. All travel costs will be covered by YWCA. (Pending COVID-19 travel restrictions.)

How to apply

• Download the full Position Description (PDF, 125KB).
• Submit your nomination online.  You should note that your photo and the information provided in your nomination may be used in the election material to be sent to Members.

Nomination process closes 5pm 3 September 2020.

Questions

All questions can be sent to sarah.hill@ywca.org.au.

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Suggested wording for all social media posts: Nominations are now open for YWCA Australia’s Young Women’s Council (YWC). YWC is a great leadership development opportunity for those passionate about gender equality and intersectional feminism and social change. Young women with diverse lived experiences, identities and backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications close 3 September. Find out more: ywca.org.au/opportunities

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14 August 2020: Young women have a unique opportunity to act on gender equality

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