Dear Clubbies,
The Board convened by phone conference on 14 May. Key items
discussed are summarised below but before I get into this I'd like
to tell you about the progress with our current organisational
strategic and management planning cycle - This drives what the team
at SLSNZ does.
Over the last 6 weeks the Board has met with Regional Club
Chairs Committees and socialised a draft one page organisational
strategy for discussion and feedback.
The Board and Senior Management Team have since meet separately
to refine the strategic plan. This has been used to draft
management plans and budgets for the coming 2012/13 financial
year.
The Board is keen that the strategic plan is not something that
sits on a shelf after it has been written and gathers dust. It
needs to be simple, succinct, and something we can all get meaning
from. In due course we'll send it out as a summary one-pager for
clubs. But remember that it's a "living document" so I'm keen for
your feedback.
As a preview, here's the draft priority outcomes called for the
strategic plan:
- Vibrant, active clubs with a strong membership bases.
- We are one organisation working together.
- Financial strength for the national body and its clubs.
- Increased capability for operational excellence.
- Credibility - as organisations and as a sport.
- A greater presence in prevention and education.
Key points covered included:
1.
Governance - the
four regions have elected their representatives to the Board
Appointments Panel (BAP). This is one of the most pivotal
teams in Surf Life Saving. This panel assesses applications
to the Board and makes recommendations to members and clubs on who
to vote for at the
AGM
- to be held on 22 September in Wellington.
Having been in front of the BAP during my application to the Board
- it is a thorough recruitment process involving an independent
governance expert with an interview for shortlisted
applicants.
2.
International
Lifeguard Service (ILS) nominations - with Brian Velvin standing
down this year there is a need to find a replacement for ILS to
consider inviting to the International Sport Committee. It
was agreed that a sub-committee involving myself, Warwick Bell and
Brian Velvin oversee the process. Criteria are to be
established and members are invited to submit expressions of
interest.
3.
Honours and
Awards committee - thanks to Brian Wilson for his service to this
committee. Brian has recently stood down from the committee
after first being appointed at the 1999 AGM! Thanks also to
Marilyn Moffatt for agreeing to stand in while a permanent
replacement is found in September. As most of you will know,
it is the Honours and Awards committee that recommends criteria and
assesses nominations for SLSNZ awards including Service,
Distinguished Service and Life Membership awards. These
awards are an important tribute, a celebration of the significant
contribution of our most dedicated volunteers.
4.
SLSNZ Policies -
a complete list of organisational policies and their status in the
review cycle was presented and noted.
5.
SLSNZ Regulations
- are undergoing their first major review following SLSNZ's
organisational changes. Matt Warren is leading this
work.
6.
Governance
sub-committees - these provide strategic oversight to areas of our
organisation's work programme. they will change over time as
priorities change.
At the strategic planning day the following subcommittees were
agreed:
|
Ref
|
Sub-Committee
|
Members
|
|
1
|
Finance, Audit
and Risk
|
Michael
Bassett-Foss, Nicki Nicol, Brent Warner
|
|
2
|
SLSNZ
Foundation
|
Brent Warner,
Colin Weatherall, Bob Harvey
|
|
3
|
Insurance
|
Warwick Bell, Andrew
Lancaster
|
|
4
|
Healthy
Clubs
|
Michael Bassett-Foss,
Nicki Nicol
|
|
5
|
Sport
|
Warwick Bell, Andrew
Lancaster
|
|
6
|
Regulations/
Policies
|
Colin Weatherall,
plus co-opted members
|
7.
Swim and Survive
Review - our CE Paul, GM - Programmes and Services Brett, and I
were invited to the presentation of the Review findings.
Other organisations at the review were Swimming NZ, Water Safety NZ
and Water Safety Auckland. Fundamentally, the reoccurring
theme throughout the findings is the need for organisations to
collaborate. As key organisations we have been invited to
submit feedback on the Review to the next Drowning Prevention
Council meeting in early June.
8.
Finances -
positive April figures are attributed to cash flow timing.
Year end results are on target for a small surplus as noted in
previous reports.
Next meeting:
The next Board meeting is set for 10 June in Wellington.
As usual, I greatly appreciate your feedback or
queries.
Yours in surf
Michael Bassett-Foss
Chairman
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
