ACAL Committee roles and responsibilities

ACAL is managed by a volunteer committee and the position profiles are provided to assist members understand and undertake roles on ACAL committee. The four executive positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer) become vacant at each AGM and nominations are called to fill these positions by election at the AGM.

State/Territory representatives are nominated to the ACAL committee by the local state or territory organisation.

ACAL meetings are usually held by teleconference on a Wednesday 3:30pm – 5pm AEST approximately every six weeks. The ACAL Committee will review the time of meetings. Travel expenses will be met for specifically designated face to face meetings and for other meetings when representing ACAL on delegations.

Position Profile: President ACAL

Tenure: Annual

Elected by: ACAL membership

Accountable to: ACAL Executive Committee and ACAL members

Overview of role: The ACAL President provides leadership and takes responsibility along with the other office bearers members, for the organisation and the Committee and acts as a representative of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy

Essential Requirements:

• knowledge of current issues and state of adult literacy and numeracy in Australia, and
• extensive experience as an adult literacy/ numeracy practitioner, teacher educator, researcher, program manager and/or policy analyst

Desirable Attributes:

• have a good working knowledge of the ACAL Constitution, rules and duties of office bearers
• be well informed of all organisation activities and committed to meeting the overall goals of the Council
• be a person who can develop good relationships both internally and externally
• be forward thinking and able to take a leadership role in developing ACAL
• be a good listener and attuned to the interests of members and other interest groups
• be a good role model, able to present a positive image when representing the Council in other forums
• be a competent public speaker and confident in dealing with a range of media forms

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• meeting with Executive Committee to draft annual and meeting agendas
• chairing meetings
• ensuring Executive Committee and State Representatives are aware of and fulfil their governance responsibilities
• compliance with applicable laws
• acting as a signatory for the Council in all legal and financial purposes
• conducting Council business effectively and efficiently
• proposing policies and activities and oversees the implementation of those ratified by the Executive Committee
• submitting regular reports to the Executive Committee
• proposing committees and appoints members
• working with the Committee to ensure the necessary skills are represented on the committee and that a succession plan is in place
• developing relevant strategic and business plans in order to achieve the goals of the Council.

Position Profile: Vice-President ACAL

Tenure: Annual

Elected by: ACAL membership (must come from different state to President)

Accountable to: ACAL President, Executive Committee and ACAL members

Overview of role: The role of the Vice President is to shadow the President in providing leadership and taking responsibility for the organisation and the Committee and to step into the President’s role where needed.

Essential Requirements:

• knowledge of current issues and state of adult literacy and numeracy in Australia, and
• extensive experience as an adult literacy/ numeracy practitioner, teacher educator, researcher, program manager and/or policy analyst

Desirable Attributes:

• be well informed of all ACAL activities and able to provide oversight
• be a person who can develop good relationships, both internally and externally
• be willing to step in for the President where needed, including chairing meetings
• be forward thinking and committed to meeting the overall goals of the Council
• have a good working knowledge of the ACAL Constitution, rules and duties of office bearers
• be able to work collaboratively with other Committee Members
• be a good listener and attuned to the interests of members and other interest groups
• be a good role model and to present a positive image when representing the Council in other forums
• be a competent public speaker
• be able to raise concerns with the President where they arise
• Act as a signatory for the Council finances
• able to maintain confidentiality

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• In the event of the President being unable to fulfil their duties, to step into that role
• In the absence of the President, chair Committee meetings, ensuring that they are run efficiently and effectively
• be an alternate signatory for legal purposes and financial purposes
• Assist the President in deciding which matters are dealt with by the Executive, the full Committee and delegated to Committees
• Coordinate planning to ensure appropriate plans are developed, presented to and reviewed by the Committee, and enacted as required
• Represent the Council at meetings and forums as agreed with the President
• Other duties as nominated by the President and/or Committee

Position Profile: Secretary ACAL

Tenure: Annual

Elected by: ACAL membership

Accountable to: ACAL President, Executive, Committee and ACAL embers

Overview of role: The role of the Secretary is to manage the approved communication tasks of the ACAL organisation in an efficient and effective manner

Desirable Attributes:

• be organised
• possess computer skills
• be a good communicator
• able to maintain confidentiality

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• maintenance of records of the Committee and ensure effective records management
• record accurate minutes of all meetings
• holding an up-to-date copy of the ACAL Constitution and bylaws that is available for all meetings
• calling meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Council when directed so to do by the President in accordance with the constitution
• assuming responsibility for the custody of the files, books, journals and all documents belonging to the Council
• making available all files and books of the Council for inspection by any member of the Committee and auditors
• preparing correspondence and performing such other duties as the Committee may from time to time direct
• act as a signatory for the Council finances if required

Position Profile: Treasurer ACAL

Tenure: Annual

Elected by: ACAL membership

Accountable to: ACAL President, Executive Committee and ACAL embers

Overview of role: The role of the Treasurer is to be responsible for the financial supervision of the Council to allow the Committee to provide good governance. The Treasurer is responsible to manage the Council’s finances and regularly report on its financial status to both the ACAL Executive, Committee and the Council members.

Desirable Attributes:

• good organisational skills
• some financial expertise
• ability to maintain accurate records
• be honest/trustworthy
• have the necessary level of computer skills
• have good communication skills
• able to maintain confidentiality
• Specific duties include but are not limited to:
• competently managing ACAL’s finances
• presenting financial reports to meetings
• acting as a signatory for the Council finances
• provision of advice to the Committee in their management of the finances
• supporting any required auditing processes to be submitted to the Annual General Meeting.
• leading the annual budget process and ensuring an appropriate annual budget is provided to the Committee for approval
• ensuring development and Committee review of financial policies and procedures
• ensuring that all receipts and payments concur with bank deposits and withdrawals

Position Profile: State/Territory Representative

Tenure: Annual

Elected/selected by: State Councils; or ACAL where there is no state body

Accountable to: ACAL President, ACAL Committee, own State/Territory body (if represented) and members

Overview of role: The role of the representative of each of the States and Territories is to be a voice to represent and gather local viewpoints and to disseminate national ACAL views, ideas or papers.

Desirable Attributes:

• well informed of adult literacy and numeracy activities and policies in their constituent’s area and able to provide an oversight of these
• a person who can develop good relationships internally and externally
• forward thinking and committed to meeting the overall goals of ACAL
• able to work collaboratively with other ACAL Committee Members
• a good listener and attuned to the interests of members and other interest groups
• a good role model and able to present a positive image in representing both their own constituents and ACAL in other forums
• able to maintain confidentiality

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• attending their constituent’s and ACAL meetings
• representing the views of, and escalating, matters of concern to their constituents
• informing their constituents of ACAL views and gathering information or feedback for ACAL
• complete projects as designated

Position Profile: Sub-committee Members

Tenure: As agreed

Selected by: ACAL

Accountable to: ACAL President and Committee

Overview of role: Co-opted Sub-Committee member for specific purposes as requested by the ACAL Executive Committee

Desirable Attributes:

• be well informed of adult literacy and numeracy activities and policies in their constituent’s area and able to provide an oversight of these
• be a person who can develop good relationships internally and externally
• be forward thinking and committed to meeting the overall goals of ACAL
• be able to work collaboratively with other ACAL Committee Members
• able to maintain confidentiality

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• completing projects as designated

Position Profile: Executive Officer

Tenure: As employed

Employed by: ACAL Executive Committee

Accountable to: ACAL President and Committee

Overview of role: Executive support to the ACAL Executive and Committee

Desirable Attributes:

• be well organised and efficient
• possess excellent computer skills, including website management
• be able to work collaboratively with the ACAL Executive and Committee Members
• be a good communicator and attuned to the interests of the organisation and its members
• able to maintain confidentiality

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• conference organisation as required
• distribution of e-news and other ACAL communications
• membership management – including distribution and collection of membership communication and fees
• performing operational and financial duties to support the ACAL Executive and Committee Members