Priory Chapter (Chapter) is the presiding governing body for the Order of St John in New Zealand with obligations to the International Order. Chapter is responsible for the affairs of the Order in New Zealand and for setting the strategic direction and values of the organisation.
The Chapter delegates to the Priory Board (PB), the governance supervision and control of all Hato Hone St John work and activities in New Zealand and oversees and supports the performance of PB in their role.
The role of a Priory Chapter Member (Chapter Member) is to ensure the interests of key stakeholders and communities throughout New Zealand are heard and represented in providing leadership and strategic stewardship to the New Zealand Priory. Further the role involves providing oversight, guidance, and support to the Priory Board (PB) in discharging their delegated governance authority.
Please note: the following documents should be read in conjunction with this position description for fuller information on the role, processes and operation of Chapter and requirements of Chapter Members
Priory Chapter Charter
Priory Rules, Regulations and Delegation of Authority Policy
Hato Hone St John Governance Competency and Skills Framework.
Key Outcomes / Ko nga Hua
The Priory and Order / Te Paraiore me te Orata
Chapter and its members shall:
Ensure and uphold the objects and principles of the Priory in New Zealand, including the monitoring and updating of the Rules and Regulations as required.
Delegate to the PB responsibility for the day-to-day governance of all Hato Hone St John’s work and activities in New Zealand.
Regularly attend and actively and constructively contribute to Chapter meetings.
Support the Prior, Chancellor, PB and CE to ensure the effective functioning of the Priory in New Zealand.
Approve, publish, promote, and monitor a Health, Safety and Wellness Charter for Hato Hone St John.
Ensure the discharge of the obligations of the International Order of St John in New Zealand.
Uphold the traditions and standing of the Order of St John, including the criteria for conferment of all honours and awards and admissions to and promotions in the Order in New Zealand.
Purpose and Vision / Te Take me te Pu
Provide strategic stewardship and ensure the purpose, mission and vision of Hato Hone St John is relevant to today’s society and community needs while true to the objects and purpose of the Priory in New Zealand.
Purpose: To make life-changing differences in our communities.
Vision: Enhance health and wellbeing for all.
Strategic Direction / Anga Whakamu
Approve the whole of organisation Strategic Plan and review the Long-Term Financial Plan presented by the PB and the CE.
Ensure alignment to Hato Hone St John’s strategic direction and approach while engaging widely in our communities
ensure their needs are listened to and represented
advocate for and promote the work of Hato Hone St John
ensure that service deprivation and inequities are addressed
advocate and champion the understanding and recognition of Tikanga Māori and the Hato Hone St John Tiriti alignment strategy.
Support for and Oversight of the Priory Board
Priory Chapter’s Charter records that “Chapter and the Priory Board have an independent and mutually respectful relationship founded on trust, recognizing that each will carry out the scope of their role to the highest possible standards, drawing on their areas of respective expertise”. To assist Chapter in overseeing and supporting the Board in its role:
The Chancellor reports quarterly to Chapter, covering at a high-level key Board developments and other matters as appropriate.
The Priory Board formally reports twice a year to Chapter on its activities and progress.
The Chapter and the Board hold joint meetings on strategic issues and related matters from time to time.
In addition, and on behalf of the Board, the CE through quarterly updates and separate reports as appropriate, keeps Chapter informed at a general level on:
key business plan developments and progress
key organisational risks, including health, safety and wellbeing
financial matters (both operational and capital)
key legislation compliance and conformance status, including health, safety, and wellness
the Annual Report from PB for Chapter’s review and approval
property investment and divestment recommendations for review and decision as per the schedules of delegated authority
Critical Areas of Success
The critical areas of success, which are to be achieved over the next five years (2020-2025), involve:
Ensure that Tikanga Māori principles are applied to strategic thinking and delivery to support a demonstrable focus on health equity and quality improvement for Hauora Māori, and actively seek opportunities to develop an effective Tiriti/Treaty-based based lens to service delivery and inclusion.
Foster a culture of inclusion to enhance diversity and improve equity of service and community health outcomes for all.
Supporting the PB in their work with the CE to ensure financial sustainability through a sustainable funding model, working closely with Crown agencies (including ACC, MSD, andHealth New Zealand), while maximising commercial revenue and fundraising opportunities, and further developing mechanisms to more effectively utilise Hato Hone St John funds.
Supporting the PB in their governance oversight of the Manaaki Ora strategy with specific delivery against ambulance and community health service lines to ensure, within the funding provided, the most effective service delivery in response to the demands and challenges/opportunities of the wider health system.
Support the positioning of Hato Hone St John as an integral part of the health system and pursuing opportunities where it can play a more significant role in this area; (e.g. coordinating access to services). This includes the development of closer organisation relationships with key health partners/ organisations; (e.g., ACC, Health New Zealand, Rest Homes) and other relevant stakeholders.
Maintaining the organisation’s charitable status and ensuring our commitments to the International St John body are all met, shared and promoted.
Contribute to a safe and healthy workplace through consistent support for health, safety and wellness activities, including applying and promoting associated initiatives, policies, procedures and risk management to help achieve Hato Hone St John’s desired Think Safe, Act Safe, Home Safe HSW culture.
Dimensions of Role – Governance oversight
People (approximately):
Paid staff – 3,667
Volunteers – 8,000
Hato Hone St John Youth Programme – 3,954 (Youth members and Youth Leaders)
Assets – approximately $385M
Revenue – approximately $533M
Delegations / Apatono
As per delegated authorities, amended from time to time and guided by St John Rules & Regulations
Key Relationships / Hononga nui
Internal
Nature and Frequency
Chancellor, Priory Chapter Members, Priory Board Members, Priory Officers, Order Members, CE, Region Trust Board Members
Chapter meets at least four times a year. Chapter Members may be invited to participate in other meetings, forums and working groups from time to time.
External
Nature and Frequency
Various key organisation and community stakeholders.
Supporting the promotion and advocacy work led by the Chancellor and CE with key stakeholders, especially local government, community organisations and private sector stakeholders.
Other External Stakeholders
Partnership approaches developed to enhance organisation activities, the interests of members, managers, and the communities we serve, including Tangata Whenua. Active support for Hato Hone St John’s commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Person Specification / Turanga Tangata
Skills, Knowledge and Experience Required
A Member of the Order of St John for a minimum of six months
Knowledge of the Order of St John, both its operations in New Zealand and internationally, as well as the Eye Hospital Group
Ability to take a New Zealand-wide view and promote “one St John”.
Willing to undertake a senior governance role as a volunteer and to commit the time required to the role
Governance
Experience as a Board or Committee member in the community and volunteer environment, including Hato Hone St John roles
Demonstrates absolute integrity in conduct and all interactions
Understands broad governance concepts, responsibilities and obligations to members and community stakeholders
Understands management/governance boundaries while demonstrating the required level of independence.
Communication and Leadership
Self-aware and relates well to others at all levels from governance through to the staff at the delivery end of our services.
Effective relationship development, maintenance, and advocacy skills, both internally and externally
An effective and open communicator with strong listening and questioning skills that enhance understanding and decision-making.
Demonstrated and effective leadership skills (including coaching, mentoring and the development of others) in line with Hato Hone St John’s core values and desired culture. Is looked up to as a leader in their community.
Critical Thinking
Demonstrates an ability to think logically, laterally, constructively and independently; open to feedback and the ideas, opinions, and suggestions others provide
Participates effectively in specific strategic decision-making and probes and challenges key strategic issues to support positive outcomes, continuous improvement and innovation that enhances Hato Hone St John’s role, work and contribution.
Sector Knowledge and Organisation Perspective
Well informed understanding of Hato Hone St John core activities, communities, healthcare and primary health environments.
Has experience in, and/or an appreciation of, the wider environment and trends that can impact Hato Hone St John.
Understands the mix, balance and challenges associated with key drivers (e.g., relating to community, volunteer/paid membership, charitable, government, health sector and commercial interests/drivers)
Knowledge and appreciation of the Order, its history and principles.
Business and Financial Acumen
Understands organisational functioning, is commercially astute.
Has financial literacy, including dissecting financial information to understand its implications.
Is experienced in monitoring and analysing organisational performance indicators.
Cultural Awareness
Ensure that Tikanga Māori principles are applied to strategic thinking and delivery to support a demonstrable focus on health equity and quality improvement for Hauora Māori; reduce racism and discrimination and actively look for opportunities to develop an effective Tiriti/Treaty-based lens to service delivery and inclusion.
Models and promotes an appreciation of diversity – in thinking, planning and discussion - to support outcomes in Hato Hone St John’s Māori and Diversity strategies and the commitment to help develop genuinely multicultural communities across New Zealand.
Terms and Conditions of Appointment
This is a volunteer elected or appointed position that requires attendance at Chapter meetings and other meetings from time to time. Additionally, Chapter Members must commit time to
engaging in their communities and with key stakeholder groups internally and externally
their own continuing education and keeping their knowledge up to date on organisation matters, community, and health sector broader trends.
The elected or appointed term is three years - with a right to stand for re-election or re- appointment for a second term and to serve up to a maximum of six years. A Chapter Member may be re-elected or re-appointed after a break of at least three years. All elections and appointments are recommended by the Nominations and Appointment Panel and approved by the Chancellor.
Consistent with good governance practice, Chapter Members may be required to participate in formal review/feedback of the Chapter’s performance and effectiveness and to undertake education and training. Hato Hone St John will provide individualised and collaborative development opportunities for individual Chapter members.
Aligned to the elected/appointee process, exit planning shall be provided to Chapter members on how they may continue to contribute/support Hato Hone St John upon exiting the current appointment.
Chapter Members’ reasonable costs in undertaking the role will be met by Hato Hone St John; this includes
covering any required travel and accommodation costs.
out of pocket expenses in line with Hato Hone St John’s Expense Reimbursement policy, following the approval of the Chancellor.
Organisation Overview
Part of a worldwide organisation, Hato Hone St John is one of New Zealand’s largest charitable organisations, providing emergency care and community health services to “enhance health and wellbeing for all” for more almost 140 years. In New Zealand, Hato Hone St John is best known for its work as an ambulance provider, serving more than 90 per cent of the population.
St John is the New Zealand Priory of the International Order and is headed by Priory Chapter that is led and chaired by the Prior (the Governor General) and Chancellor. Chapter is the presiding body and provides oversight and strategic stewardship to ensure St John remains true to the objects and purpose of the Priory in New Zealand.
Chapter delegates authority for day-to-day governance of the organisation’s affairs and activities to the Priory Board, including making delegations of authority to and overseeing the activities of the Regional Trust Boards. The Priory Board is chaired by the Chancellor.
Acting under delegation from the Priory Board, the Region Trust Boards oversee the delivery of prescribed functions in each Region.
Organisational Positioning
Please note: the statements contained within this Position Description outline the general nature and type of work to be performed in the role; they are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all the responsibilities, duties, accountabilities, and skills required. From time to time, as required, incumbents may be required to perform duties outside the scope of their normal activities.
