About this Role – Volunteer Company Secretary

This is a voluntary position and not a paid role.

As a vital member of our team, you will work closely with Farm My School Board members, co- founder James McLennan and FMS staff, to help build a cohesive and effective operating environment and to prepare for Board meetings, ensuring adherence to the Australian not-for-profit corporate governance guidelines.

You will be our key administration and compliance officer. You will be happy to make an up to 5 hour per week commitment to Farm My School.

Responsibilities and Duties

Charity governance and compliance – Company Secretary

• Understand and ensure that Farm My School Ltd complies with its statutory obligations, ensuring the requirements of ASIC, ACNC, Consumer Affairs VIC and other regulators are met.
• Fulfil the legal obligations, duties and responsibilities as an officer of the company in the capacity of a Company Secretary as set out in the Corporations Act.
• Act as a corporate secretary to assist the statutory Secretary with the legal obligations, duties and responsibilities as set out in the Corporations Act.
• Manage Board processes – Board and committee papers and circulation of agendas, recording minutes, discussion papers and proposals for the Boards and their committees.
• Board Induction and Charter document and process to ensure Directors know and understand their responsibilities and Farm My School Ltd expectations of them.
• Organise and run the Annual General Meetings and Meetings of Members of Farm My School Ltd.
• Ensure the necessary registers are established and maintained in accordance with the Corporations Act.
• Ensure records of members’ and directors’ meetings are kept in compliance with the Corporations Act and the Farm My School Ltd Constitution.
• Procure advice for directors regarding application of the Corporations Act, company constitution and other legal and regulatory requirements.
• Development, implementation, communication and maintenance of compliance policies, processes and procedures.
• Advise the Board on good practice in corporate governance.
• Ensure the Board has all the information required to make informed decisions.
• Organise and record the Board annual performance review.
• Maintain director’s personnel files and ensure they are kept updated.

Skills and Capabilities

• Organised, reliable, enthusiastic and motivated
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills – able to work in a team situation and communicate clearly
• Assertive and structured individual with experience in Board management
• Able to work remotely within flexible hours
• Ability to think outside the square, be a self-starter, work autonomously
• Ability to work inside a strict corporate and regulatory environment (i.e. not-for-profit Board governance)
• Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement to governance structures – but not suffocating governance.
• Natural mind for risk mitigation
• Discretion for confidential information.

The benefits of volunteering with us

• Experience with a new, fast growing and innovative Australian for purpose charity.
• Connect with creative, thoughtful and conscious leaders and people with a passion for community strengthening and young people, environment, regenerative farming, and healthy food abundance.
• A lasting sense of purpose – Take pride in knowing your involvement directly contributed to FMS’s success and growth, leaving a lasting impact.
• Being able to add a myriad of ‘tangible outcomes and outputs’ to your CV.
• Fun - we have a good time as well as get serious stuff done.
• Validate the amazing skills you think you have!

Farm My School Board of Directors The FMS Board governs and oversees the work of Farm My School. The Board is a collegiate and high-functioning group with diverse experiences and skills, the composition of which is informed by the Board skills and diversity matrix. Director terms are for a maximum of nine-years (3 years x 3 terms).

The key responsibilities of the Board include:

• Monitoring the financial, risk, legal, compliance and strategic environment.
• CEO performance, remuneration and development.
• Setting strategic plans and approving annual operating budgets and annual audited financial statements.
• Contributing foresight, contemporary governance expertise and subject matter knowledge in line with the Board skills

The Board meets regularly in person and online for between two-three hours, predominantly during business hours, and occasionally after hours. There are also sub-committees that provide Directors with opportunities to engage more closely with our work.

Contact us to Express Interest in this Company Secretary Role Please provide a written response to the criteria to:

Name: Jill Korevaar, Board Director, Farm My School Email: board@farmmyschool.com.au

For more information, please visit our website at FarmMySchool