Governance
The leading people and principles of Guide Dogs Victoria.
Our commitment to leading standards Governance commitment
Guide Dogs Victoria is governed in accordance with:
- the Corporations Act 2001
- the Guide Dogs Victoria Articles of Association
- the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012
- the Charities Act 1978
The Board, in undertaking its role in representing Guide Dogs Victoria’s Members, and in promoting and protecting Guide Dogs Victoria is committed to:
- Better practice standards of governance.
- Overseeing and monitoring our business using due care and diligence to ensure our long term reputation and financial sustainability, and our vision is achieved
- Acting in good faith, with honesty and integrity, and in the best interests of our Members, clients, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders
The Board is comprised of up to eleven unpaid non-executive directors. Each member is elected by the Members or co-opted to fill casual vacancies. The CEO is not a Board member.
Board Committees have been established to cover the key areas of our business. Each Committee focuses on specific tasks and programs being undertaken by Management, aligned to our Strategic Directions.
Our commitment to leading standards Our Board
The Guide Dogs Victoria Board consists of up to eleven directors. The Board is responsible for the development of our organisational strategic directions, monitoring organisational performance, and overseeing organisational governance and risk requirements. The Board operates four subcommittees:
- Audit and Risk Management
- Remuneration
- Nomination
- Marketing and Fundraising
Our commitment to leading standards Board Governance Policies
Our commitment to leading standards Senior Leadership team
Our Senior Leadership team is comprised of nine key positions. The Senior Leadership team is responsible for implementing the overarching organisational strategy set by the Board. The team ensures that performance goals are met and that our work and programs are undertaken efficiently, effectively and sustainably. Key Leadership Team positions include:
- Chief Executive Officer
- General Manager Client & Guide Dog Services
- General Manager People & Culture
- General Manager Marketing & Communications
- General Manager Fundraising
- Chief Operations Officer
- General Manager Strategic Growth
- Financial Controller
- Executive Assistant to the CEO
Our commitment to leading standards Consumer Advisory Council
The Consumer Advisory Council of Guide Dogs Victoria plays an important role in facilitating the exchange of information and ideas between Guide Dogs Victoria, the Board and most importantly, the people with low vision who use our services. The Consumer Advisory council:
- Provides advice and recommendations concerning the training of people with low vision and the relationship between Guide Dogs Victoria and the people using our services
- Acts as a consultative forum in identifying needs and priorities in service delivery
- Encourages participation and inclusion by stakeholders in our quality service planning
- Encourages the community to contribute to the consultative process
- Strives to make services responsive to individuals’ needs
- Acts as a sounding board for various policy and service proposals
- Provides our successful service applicants with support, encouragement and insight into the use of Guide Dogs Victoria services
- Reviews Guide Dogs Victoria facilities and communication practices with regard to accessibility by people with low vision or other disabilities
- Assists in the development of community strategies to address barriers for people with low vision
View our Consumer Advisory Council Member Profiles.
Terms of reference.
The Terms of Reference of the Consumer Advisory Council are modeled on consumer groups operating successfully in similar agencies. They include the State Disability Advisory Council of the Department of Human Services and the Graduate Advisory Council of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc of California.
The Council meets a minimum of twice annually. Members are selected to ensure:
- Equal representation from each of our five client service groups, namely Guide Dog, Acquired Brain Injury, Children’s and Intensive Orientation and Mobility Services and Intensive Occupational Therapy
- Geographical diversity — with clients from regional Victoria as well as the metropolitan area
- Balance of men and women
- Representation from related fields
Expressions of interest.
From time to time, we seek expressions of interest in membership to the Consumer Advisory Council. For further information, email cac@guidedogsvictoria.com.au or use the contact form to correspond with us.
Guide Dogs Victoria Child Safe Policy Statement
The safety and wellbeing of children is of the highest priority to Guide Dogs Victoria. We are committed to providing an environment where children and young people are safe, feel supported to share their concerns and have their voices heard.
All Guide Dogs Victoria staff and volunteers undergo a Working with Children check, Police Check, International Police Check and Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme where appropriate.
GDV will undertake to-:
- Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety.
- Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives.
- Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children.
- Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount.
- Provide guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children.
- Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise their concerns.
- Report suspected physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities.
Our commitment to leading standards Other Policies
Our commitment to leading standards Feedback or complaints
