Position Description for a Member of a Region Trust Board

Position	Region Trust Board Member
Reporting to	Region Trust Board Chair
Business Group/Function	Governance – Region Trust Board
Location	Flexible and required to travel to main centres
Date Issued	May 2020

St John Mission

We step forward when help is needed. For better. For life.

Our Values

Our future success depends on us being a united and purposeful organisation, supporting each other and all headed in the same direction.

We have in place clear, action oriented values that help us work together better to become an even more integral part of New Zealand’s community health solution of the future.

Our values set the tone for everything each of us does and provide the framework for how we treat each other.

• Do the Right Thing – Mahi Tika
  Take responsibility, make the tough calls and think of others.
• Side by Side – Tū Tahi
  Respect, value and support what others contribute.
• Make it Better – Whakapai Ake
  Find solutions, step up, own it, do it.
• Straight Up – Mahi Pono
  Act with honesty, courage and kindness.
• Open Minds – Whakaaro Nui
  Listen openly, encourage ideas and welcome feedback.

Position Purpose

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 St John work and activities in New Zealand and monitors the performance of PB in their role. This includes the PB being responsible for the delegation of authority and prescribed functions to Region Trust Boards (RTB), and for the PB to provide governance oversight and monitor the performance of the RTBs in carrying out those functions.

The role of a Region Trust Board Member is to provide governance oversight to the functions and activities for which the PB has delegated authority to the RTB and region. This includes fulfilment of the duties of a trustee, leading strong community engagement and advocacy, the stewardship of Area Committees, and ensuring observance and adherence to the objects and principles of the Order.

Region Trust Board members should bring to the role a strong community service ethos and act with absolute integrity in all interactions.

Please note: the following documents should be read in conjunction with this position description for fuller information on the role, processes and operation of the RTB and requirements of RTB Members.

• RTB Charter
• RTB Delegated Roles and Functions Schedule as approved by the Priory Board
• St John rules, regulations and schedules of delegated authority
• St John’s governance competency and skills framework

Key Outcomes

• Actively promote and support a “One St John”, through leading the enactment of the Values in the region and fostering the desired culture.
• Develop and deliver community health services through regional and local area committee initiatives
• Actively support and oversee area committee performance against agreed annual plans
• Report to the Priory Board bi-annually on the achievement against their annual and long-term plans to meet their delegated responsibilities
• Oversee the Region’s community engagement and ensuring St John has excellent relationships and goodwill with key communities and stakeholders throughout the region, and that their needs and interests are appropriately represented.
• Work to promote and support the equitable funding and delivery of St John’s services; Community Health Services, Commercial Services and Ambulance Services, across all communities and to all New Zealanders.
• Work with the CEO in the recruitment and appointment of a Region General Manager (RGM), based on the CEO’s and RTB Chair’s recommendation.
• Work with the CEO, management and RGM in the development of St John’s Integrated Business Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan and in determining the appropriate goals and targets to be achieved within the region, including review and endorsement annually of the budget (capital and operating expenditure) apportionment for the region.
• Receive regular reports on the IBP and annual plan region performance and provide insights and assistance to the RGM, CEO and management to address key issues, irregularities and improve overall performance
• Work with the CEO and management to ensure regional and local community health services are appropriately and fairly resourced and funded and that nationally delivered programmes achieve the desired regional and local outcomes
• As Trustees, ensure, guide and support the CEO, management and RGM, in the prudent management of the region entrusted funds and financial structure, including the management and review of the region’s property, assets and funds for the optimal benefit of St John, through the making of capital and divestment recommendations to the Priory Board.
• Identify and nominate suitably skilled and experienced candidates to be considered for appointment to Priory Chapter and the Priory Board as requested.
• Promote St John’s Health, Safety and Wellness Charter in the region
• Regularly review the region environment and proactively identify areas of risk, including regulatory compliance issues, for St John’s activities in the region, and ensure these together with recommendations on how best to mitigate are bought to the attention of the RGM, CEO and management, in a timely manner.

Delegated Functions

The Priory Board delegates governance responsibilities to RTB for particular functions (refer to current schedule) and activities in the region, and in so doing the RTB provides the appropriate governance for these functions ensuring alignment and compliance with applicable rules, regulations and policies. These are outlined as follows.

Primary Delegated Functions (regionally led)

The establishment, stewardship and sustainability of strong Area Committees with focus on

• Ensuring the optimal structure of Area Committees in the region including the merging, collaborations, pooling and sharing of resources to best and equitably meet community needs
• Ensuring Area Committee composition includes the necessary skill and competency mix and embraces and is reflective of the diversity of the community it represents
• Set the priority for delivery of local community health and wellbeing initiatives
• Volunteer attraction, retention, support and fellowship
• Custodianship of local property and assets in (repairs and maintenance)
• Delivery of community charity events (non-commercial)
• Undertaking and supporting the smooth functioning of Order Matters in the region and each community

Provide leadership, coaching and support to Area Committees and receive, approve and monitor Area Committee annual plans, performance targets and budgets, ensuring alignment to the IBP and Long-Term Financial Plan goals and targets.

Secondary Delegated Functions (nationally directed and regionally delivered)

Support the RGM national and region staff and volunteers involved in

• Community Health Services Flagship Programmes (health shuttles, youth, community care, St John in Schools) service delivery
• Promotion and Fundraising activities

Secondary and Tertiary Functions (nationally directed and delivered)

Support the RGM, region staff and volunteers involved in

• Establishing and profitably operating Opportunity Shops
• Ambulance Services
• Financial and Asset Management
• Identify risks and service delivery issues in the region and to support Commercial and Ambulance Service Management in their resolution – as indicated in the Region Trust Board Delegated Roles and Functions Schedule

Critical Areas of Success

The critical areas of success, which are to be achieved over the next five years (2020-2025, involve:

• Commitment to Tikanga and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Fostering a culture of inclusion to enhance diversity and improve equity of service and community health outcomes for all New Zealanders.
• Supporting the PB and CEO to ensure financial sustainability through a sustainable funding model, working closely with Crown agencies (including MoH, ACC, MSD and all DHBs), while maximising commercial revenue and fundraising opportunities, and further developing mechanisms to more effectively utilise St John funds.
• Supporting the PB in their governance oversight of the Integrated Business Plan (IBP) with specific delivery against ambulance, community health and commercial 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 St John as an integrated part of the health system and pursuing opportunities where it can play a greater 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. MoH, ACC, DHBs, Rest Homes) and other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintaining the organisation’s charitable status and ensuring 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 application and promotion of associated initiatives, policies, procedures and risk management to help achieve St John’s desired Think Safe, Act Safe, Home Safe HS&W culture.

Delegations

As per delegated authorities, amended from time to time and guided by St John Rules and Regulations.

Key Relationships

Internal	Nature and Frequency
Chancellor, Priory Chapter Members, Priory Board Members, CEO, Region Trust Board Members, Order Members, Area Committees	RTBs meet monthly, and RTB Members may be invited to attend other meetings and forums 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 CEO with key stakeholders, with special focus on local government and key regional and local community organisations and 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 St John’s commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience Required

• 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.
• Education, training and / or experience gained in at least one of the following areas: business, government, community engagement, social enterprise, volunteering

Governance

• Experience as a Board or Committee member in a medium to large organisations and community and volunteer environment, e.g. gained in a business, education, community, Iwi or volunteer environment
• Has a strong community background and is looked to / recognised as a community leader
• Demonstrates absolute integrity in conduct and all interactions
• Understands governance fundamentals and is able to distinguish between governance and management, the boundaries and demonstrates the required level of independence.

Communication and Leadership

• Self-aware and relates well to others at all levels (e.g. other governors, the CEO, Youth members, ambulance officers, community area committees and community (regional) fundraisers.
• Effective relationship development 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 through role modelling behaviours in line with St John’s core values and desired culture

Critical Thinking

• Demonstrates an ability to think both logically and laterally in a constructive and independent manner; open to feedback and the ideas, opinions and suggestions others provide.
• Participates effectively in decision-making and encourages others to do so; probes and challenges key strategic issues to support positive outcomes, continuous improvement and innovation that enhances St John’s role, work and contribution.

Sector Knowledge and Organisation Perspective

• Well informed understanding of St John core activities, communities, healthcare and primary health environments.
• Has experience in, and/or an appreciation of, the wider environment and trends that have potential to impact on St John.
• Understands the mix, balance and challenges associated with key drivers (e.g. relating to community, volunteer / paid unionised membership, charitable, government, health sector and commercial interests/drivers).

Business and Financial Acumen

• Understands organisational functioning, is commercially astute.
• Has good financial appreciation and literacy.
• Able to dissect information and data and understand its implications.

Cultural Awareness

• Knows about and understands the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to applying them in their work with St John – helping to ensure they are considered in the organisations work, including in the community and health-care environments
• Models and promotes an appreciation of diversity – in thinking, planning and discussion - to support outcomes in St John’s Maori and Diversity strategies, and the commitment to help develop truly multicultural communities across New Zealand.

In addition to the above, RTB members are expected to bring to the Board a strong commitment to service; demonstrated through serving others, volunteering or achieving improved community outcomes.

The Rewards of being a Regional Trust Board Member

• Collegiality of fellow Board members
• Connectedness with like-minded people
• Being part of an international humanitarian organisation
• Gain a sense of purpose and contribution and the opportunity to make a community contribution
• Personal development

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

This is a volunteer elected or appointed position, that requires preparation for and attendance at RTB meetings and other meetings from time to time. Additionally, RTB Members will commit time to

• engaging in their communities and with key stakeholder groups internally and externally
• their own professional development and continuing education to keep their knowledge up to date on governance trends, organisation matters, and broader environmental and health and community sector trends.

The appointment term is typically three years - with a right to be considered for re-election or re-appointment for a second term, and to serve up to a maximum of six years. A RTB Member may be re-elected or re-appointed after a break of at least three years. All appointments are on the recommendation of the RTB Chair and Nominations and Appointments Panel and the approval of the Priory Board.

All appointments are subject to a satisfactory police check.

Consistent with good governance practice, RTB Members will be required to participate in formal annual review and feedback of their individual and RTB performance and effectiveness and to undertake professional education and training.

RTB Members’ reasonable costs in undertaking the role will be met by St John; this includes

• covering any required travel and accommodation costs.
• out of pocket expenses in line with St John’s Expense Reimbursement policy, following the approval of the RTB Chair.

Organisation Overview

Part of a world-wide organisation, St John is one of New Zealand’s largest charitable organisations, providing emergency care and community health services to improve the health and well-being of New Zealanders for more than 125 years. In New Zealand, St John is best known for its work as an ambulance provider, serving more than 85 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.