Dear Clubbies,
A meeting of the Board of Surf Life Saving New Zealand was held on
Sunday 26 August. This is the last full meeting of the Board before
the AGM on 22nd September, although the Board will meet by phone
conference in early September.
Items discussed:
Key points covered included:
- Club Development - the Board welcomed a
traffic light based report illustrating club health across criteria
including sport, lifesaving, junior surf, committee and general.
The first iteration of monthly reports from CDOs were also
presented. Some clubs have been asking for CDO reports for some
time and this work initiates an effort to standardise these reports
across the CDO network and ultimately share this information with
clubs.
- Finances - With our financial year ending on
30 June, Management have been busy working with our auditors who
have completed an extensive review and stress test of the
organisations financial process and systems. This combined with a
thorough review of the standard monthly and yearly checks and
balances and financial policies has seen the auditors issue a audit
report and management letter which shows significant improvement
within all areas of the organisations financial processes and
profitability.
- The Board Audit and Risk committee has met with the auditors.
While systems and processes have improved, the Board is committed
to continual development of the organisations financial position by
working in a fiscally prudent manner while ensuring we have the
appropriate software, process and systems along with governance
policies to enable the organisation to continually
improve.
- The July accounts were reviewed by the Audit and Risk committee
and showed a small profit. In the current economic environment,
with tightening sponsorship and grant revenues, cash flows
remaining tight and the Audit and Risk committee felt it prudent to
request the senior management team conduct a review of all income
and expenditure and provide the Board a range of recommendations
which would see the organisation rebuild our financial reserves
within a shorter timeframe and bring forward the organisation's
goal of financial sustainability.
- National Sports Committee - it was noted that
the report on Surf League had been released and the Committee had
moved onto a review of the National Championships, and the Sports
Manual was now into the final consultation stage with the aim of
adopting it before this season.
- SLSNZ SLSNR relationship - wording of a
Service Level Agreement for 2012/13 between SLSNZ and SLSNR was
approved in principle. The CEOs of both organisations have been
working for some time to document the relationship for the coming
season. The agreement outlines services to be delivered such as
sporting events, administration, lifesaving and vehicles. It also
defines the funding split between the organisations when they are
both involved in delivery such as Coca Cola Christmas in the Park.
Representatives of the respective Boards plan to meet later in the
year to discuss the relationship moving forward.
- IT Strategy - there is an urgent need for a
new server and computers. The current equipment is more than 5
years old and implemented before the organisational change. An
upgrade programme for hardware was endorsed, along with an on-going
development programme for the web site, member database, event
booking and financial systems.
- Commercial Partnerships - the Board noted
progress on the DHL sponsorship renewal and a number of new
partnerships, some of which should be able to be announced in the
coming weeks.
- World Champs team - the Board discussed the
process and planning around team selection before signing off the
SLS New Zealand Open and Under 20 teams to compete at the Rescue
2012 World Champs in Adelaide in early November.
- International Life Saving Federation - the
Board noted the selection of Mark Weatherall to be put forward as
New Zealand's nomination for a position on the ILS Sport Committee
as replacement for Brian Velvin. New Zealand would be represented
at the ILS annual assembly by Graeme Cullen, Brian Velvin, Michael
Bassett-Foss with Brett Sullivan as observer. These meetings will
take place ahead of the World Championships in Adelaide in early
November.
- SLSNZ Foundation - a Terms of Reference was
presented for discussion. Further work is required on likely
structure, parties to be involved, operating framework, member
consultation and launch planning.
- Coastal Public Safety Project - a paper was
presented bringing the Board up to date with the latest plans to
get the data collected for this project out to clubs for final
review and then into the public domain to assist with the
development of 10 year plans for each beach. The Board continue to
be very supportive of this initiative and where possible reducing
any resource bottlenecks to keep things moving as quickly as it
can.
- Regulations - updated draft regulations
including new procedures for member protection and supervision of
minors, as well as the existing topics of judiciary committee,
health and safety, surf sport, and lifesaving were reviewed and
provisionally signed off by the Board. The Board stressed the
importance of ensuring that clubs were involved with reviewing the
draft regulations prior to implementation and understanding those
with a material impact, for example, police vetting required for
members coaching or supervising minors. The first step is to take
the draft regulations to the Chairs of the four Regional Club
Chairs committees for their input on an appropriate consultation
process before bringing back to the Board for final approval.
- Governance - the Board reviewed progress
against the governance development plan and agreed that the process
would be paused until after the AGM and board member election
process was complete. Board member induction processes would be
updated as part of inducting any new Board members. It was noted
that the Board Appointments Panel has re-appointed Warwick Bell for
a further two-year term and had recommended Colin Weatherall and
Andrew Lancaster (the incumbents) for the two positions that will
be voted on at the AGM.
- The Board Appointments Panel were now shifting
their attention to filling the 'appointed' Board member vacancy
left by the resignation of Nicki Nicol as a result of her
relocating to Australia. Applications closed for this role on 31st
August and the Panel would be aiming to complete their selection as
soon as possible, ideally to make an announcement at the AGM.
- AGM/SGM preparation - The CEO updated the
Board on planning for the AGM, SGM and awards functions. It was
noted that there just enough delegates registered to achieve a
quorum but there was not much 'fat' if there were any flight delays
on the day. Brian Velvin will be the returning officer.
- SLSNZ Archives - endorsement was given to the
proposal that will see SLSNZ historic material collected for the
Centenary Celebrations held by the Alexander Turnbull Library. This
will ensure that they are properly cared for in perpetuity whilst
being available for any member to access our important
history.
- Lifesaving First Aid - a paper outlining the
general strategic direction of this subsidiary business was
discussed. Support was given with the direction that has corporate
market increasing from a solid start over the last year. In order
to support this growth, improved systems are needed and more
capacity via a programme of trainer recruitment and development.
Growth will be controlled to ensure course quality is maintained. A
modest profit is forecast for this financial year with greater
profitability in subsequent years. .
- Insurance - it was noted that the final price
for the 2012/13 premiums would be shortly available from AON
Insurance, and individual Club shares of the Club Assets elements
of the premiums would be communicated to Clubs as soon as possible.
The figures are in line with the indicative numbers previously sent
to Clubs.
- Honours and Awards committee - the Board
approved a proposed process to appoint Honours and Awards committee
members. This process would see a call for expressions of interest
from Regions and involve Regional Club Chairs Committees.
- National Award Recipients - the Board endorsed
the members put forward for National Awards at the 'DHL In it for
Life Awards' that will be presented at the luncheon following the
AGM.
Next meeting:
Are by phone conference on 24 September, leading up to and
following the AGM. The next full meeting will take place on 26/27
October.As usual, I greatly appreciate you feedback or queries.
Yours in surf
Michael Bassett-Foss
Chairman
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
