Governance

Governance in the not-for-profit sector

Mai Lighthouse is governed by a Board of Trustees who use their expertise to help guide the trust in its support of the local community.

The boards role is to ensure any financial and strategic decisions made are in line with the original purpose of the deed. They are responsible for employing the Chief Executive Officer and ensuring the trust is up to date with all legislation and registration requirements. The board are all volunteers and meet once a month.

Mai Lighthouse Trust Deed

The principal governance document is the Trust Deed. It notes the charitable purpose of the Trust is:

• To achieve the Trust’s vision of People Helping People to Independence.
• To provide, coordinate or promote services or information which will benefit families or individuals in the community; and
• Such other charitable purposes as the Trustees may from time to time decide.

Role of Trustees

The Trust Deed notes the role of Trustees is:

• To give effect to the purposes of the Trust (noted above); and
• Be responsible and accountable to the community of Franklin for the proper and effective governance of the Trust; and
• Discharge the responsibilities, perform the duties and exercise the rights conferred on them; and
• Ensure the performance of the activities and the achievement of the objectives set out in the Strategic Plan of the Trust.
• The Board performance is also informed by a governance manual. This manual includes everything needed by the trustees to govern the Trust effectively. It includes policies that are regularly reviewed as are the Strategic Focuses of the organisation

The Board meets once a month and periodically hold workshops for development and planning. The Board of Trustees plays a critical role in ensuring Mai Lighthouse are positioned to identify services needed in our community.

The Board also draw on their professional practice wisdom to provide the CEO with guidance and support.