Introduction
The parameters, powers and functions of the Board are outlined in the Constitution of ACT Ubumbano. This Constitution also mandates the first Board to approve and then implement a process for selecting a new Board within a year.
Key elements of a role:
The board of a non-profit organisation is the key structure for governance and accountability. The ‘Independent Code for Governance of Non-Profit organisations’ tasks boards with ensuring good leadership in six key areas:
- Vision, purpose and values;
- Accountability and transparency;
- Fundraising, sustainability and risk management;
- Collaboration and synergy; 5. The Board and other governance structures;
- Procedural governance.
Criteria for Board Membership
In addition to the legal requirements, the following criteria will also be considered for selecting new candidates:
| General Criteria |
Specific requirements |
| Commitment to social justice values and practice |
- Involvement in any community organising / mobilising work
- Association with any community-based work or institution that promotes social justice
|
| Experience in board / executive governance and leadership |
- Previous experience of board membership / governance work
|
| Representative of the region’s diversity in terms of gender, geography, age, race |
- At least one member of the Board will be based in a Southern African country that is not South Africa
- At least 50% of the new Board will be female
- The racial composition of the new Board will reflect the demographics of the region.
- At least one member of the Board will be aged 35 years or younger.
|
The board meets three times a year. Two meetings are online and approximately three hours are allocated to them. The final meeting in October is in person, and members are expected to be available for at least one full day.
There will be ad hoc committees that will require participation. The Finance Committee is a regular structure of the board and meets three times a year to oversee the organisation’s financial performance.
The role is not remunerated.
