Governance

Governance

Corporate Governance

Introduction
RSL Queensland acknowledges its responsibility to oversee the governance of State Branch and the League generally and to review the organisation's strategic direction. The governance structure aims to ensure The League complies with relevant legislation and meets the expectations of Members, recipients of industry-best services and programs for veterans and their families and the public as RSL Queensland is a registered charity.  It also promotes accountable decision-making processes and enables good corporate practice in the daily delivery of advocacy and support for the Queensland veteran community.

The Board

The Board's role is established under the Constitution to provide strategic direction to assist RSL Queensland in meeting its core goal of ensuring all current and former ADF personnel and their families receive the support they need. The Board carries out its duties in accordance with RSL Queensland’s eight Objects and with regard to the interests of members, stakeholders, volunteers, staff and the broader community. The Board's primary role is to govern, with the day to day management of the organisation delegated to the CEO, Executive Management Team and staff through a clear delegations policy. 

Board Composition
The Board currently comprises three executive positions that are elected by members at the AGM, ten District presidents representing the 10 Districts and 240 Sub Branches and up to three skills-based positions. The Constitution provides the Board the ability to appoint these three skills based roles and form sub-committees as required. 
    
Policies and Obligations
Each new Director upon appointment receives a Volunteer Engagement Agreement, setting out the terms of volunteer appointment and relevant obligations. These include compliance requirements to the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission as well as RSL Queensland’s Constitution and State By-Laws in furtherance of the League's Objects.  All Directors also receive a Deed of Access and Indemnity and are covered by the RSL Queensland's Director and Officer's (D&O) insurance policy. 

Resources
Board members are also provided with access to a range of resources to enable them to fulfil their directorship roles for RSL Queensland. Each year at the Board meeting immediately following the State Congress and AGM, the Board vote to approve Director Resources. The items below are current and valid as per the Board meeting held on Monday 26th June 2017 and include:

• Mobile phone and laptop
• RSL credit card
• A business suit for representational duties
• Use of an RSL vehicle
• Membership to either Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) OR the Australian Institute of Management (AIM)
• Membership to one airline lounge
• Travel expenses directly related to RSL (Queensland Branch) business
• Cabcharge and GO cards
• RSL (Queensland Branch) Director’s partner attendance at two functions per annum (AGM and Christmas Party) or if invited to an official function
• Any Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) payable on the provision of resources

Notes to Director Resources

• Credit cards have a maximum limit of $2,000 (or $5,000 for the Board Executive) and must be used either in the provision of emergency welfare or relief of necessitous circumstances for veterans, or for the coverage of valid expenses incurred directly in the conduct of the role of being a Director of RSL (Queensland Branch)
• Receipts are required for every transaction and are reviewed and approved through a two stage process
• Any fringe benefits tax (FBT) incurred in the provision of resources to individual RSL (Queensland Branch) volunteer Directors are paid by RSL (Queensland Branch) 

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics

On top of legal Director Duties, volunteer Board members are expected to observe to observe the highest standards of ethics, integrity and behaviour during the course of their appointment and are subject the RSL Queensland's Board Code of Conduct.