Information for nominators and nominees: 2022 RNZFB Board Elections
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, Te Tuāpāpā O Te Hunga Kāpō O Aotearoa
Produced 2022 by Accessible Formats Service, Blind Low Vision NZ, Auckland.
Transcriber's Note
If reading this etext on a portable braille device, please note that it is unproofed by touch.
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Information for nominators and nominees
2022 RNZFB Board Elections
The RNZFB Board is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages this to be borne in mind throughout the election process.
The Board's Role
The role of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's Board is governance, rather than management. It focuses on Blind Low Vision NZ's wider issues of organisational purpose, governance, setting and monitoring of strategic direction and the establishment and monitoring of Board-level policies. The Board works in close partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure that Blind Low Vision NZ objectives and goals are achieved.
Capabilities required of Board members
It is desirable that directors are able to contribute to the following capabilities from their own personal expertise and competence:
• Understanding of the needs of people who are blind, deafblind and those with low vision, including youth;
• Leadership;
• Knowledge of finance and financial management, risk management and accounting principles;
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• Understanding of governance and modern boardroom practice;
• Awareness and understanding of diversity;
• Knowledge of strategic governance and business planning;
• Business acumen and analysis;
• Sound analytical skills and good judgement;
• Expertise in strategic policy development; and/or
• Understanding of the law.
From time to time the Board reviews its own capabilities, identifies gaps and offers training or brings in additional professional support or expertise.
Requirements for Board membership
• Have a commitment to work for the greater good of Blind Low Vision NZ and all of its clients and other stakeholders.
• Be familiar with Blind Low Vision NZ policies, plans and priorities and demonstrate this through debate and participation in all areas of the Board's responsibilities.
• Have a willingness to serve on one or more Board committees or working parties.
• Have access to information via a computer with an internet connection, or an alternative means of dealing with agendas and reports bi-monthly that are typically over 200 pages of print.
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Time commitment
Directors are expected to make every effort to attend all Board meetings, committee meetings and other Board commitments and devote sufficient time to become familiar with Blind Low Vision NZ affairs and the wider environment within which it operates.
Board meetings are currently held at bi-monthly intervals, normally in Auckland but sometimes in other places. These are held on Friday and Saturday. In addition, there are associated meetings, such as strategic planning weekends and ad hoc committee meetings, which are scheduled outside these times in order to fit in with the availability of members of the particular committee. Zoom is used when feasible to reduce the amount of travel.
The weekly time commitment asked of directors can vary greatly with some weeks requiring only a few hours in responding to emails. However, in the week leading up to Board and Committee meetings, this will involve several hours in reading agenda papers to adequately prepare for these meetings and more for the chairs of the respective committees. In addition, the Board hosts a series of engagement road shows around the country each year and directors are required to attend at least two of these meetings per year where practicable.
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Remuneration
Directors are entitled to remuneration for their time or services at a rate of up to $7,000 per annum. Higher rates apply for the Chair. There is no other payment for earnings foregone as a result of attending meetings.
Blind Low Vision NZ also covers out-of-pocket expenses incurred while on Board business, such as travel, meals, accommodation and phone charges.
Key constitutional points relating to Board elections
1. The Board will have at least nine and no more than 11 members:
• Only governing members may vote in respect of the nine general seats.
• There may be up to two co-opted seats.
• A person does not need to be a Member of the RNZFB to be nominated.
2. The following people are disqualified from nomination:
• Anyone under 18 years of age;
• Anybody who is prohibited by law from being a director or promoter or from taking part in the management of a company;
• An undischarged bankrupt;
• Anybody subject to a property order in terms of the Personal and Property Rights Act 1988;
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• Anybody subject to a compulsory treatment order in terms of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992; or
• Any person convicted within the previous 10 years of a crime involving dishonesty.
3. A nomination must:
• Be on the prescribed form;
• Contain only one nomination;
• Be proposed by two governing members entitled to vote for the general seat for which the nominee is standing;
• Be signed by two proposers;
• Contain a statement that the nominee consents to the nomination and is not disqualified; and
• Contain a statement that the candidate is familiar with the Constitution and agrees to be bound by it and any other relevant rules or laws.
4. If the ballot for Directors results in a draw for any of the seats, the successful candidate will be drawn by lot.
5. After the election is complete, unsuccessful candidates will be listed in order according to the number of votes received. This is the "Casual Vacancy Schedule" and will be used in the event of a casual vacancy on the Board.
6. Directors elect the Chair at the first meeting following each annual general meeting of members.
7. A co-opted Board member cannot be Chair.
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8. There are rules covering conflict of Directors' interests. Conflicts or potential conflicts must be declared and are recorded in a Register of Interests.
9. Directors are protected by indemnity insurance in appropriate circumstances.
10. Directors serve three year terms and are normally then eligible for re-nomination.
11. A Director will vacate office in the event of:
• A written resignation;
• Becoming disqualified;
• Absence from three consecutive meetings without written leave of absence; or
• Death.
End of Information for nominators and nominees