Board Director Nominations
Nominations sought for Directors of GrainGrowers in Zone 2
Grain Growers Limited (GrainGrowers) is seeking nominations for two Board Directors for Zone 2. Zone 2 covers central and south west NSW.
Nominations are now open and will close on Tuesday 23 August 2011.
Directors in Zone 2 are up for rotational retirement as set out in the GrainGrowers constitution.
Please see the gga website for more details www.graingrowers.com.au
Forms can be returned:
- via email to enquiry@graingrowers.com.au via fax on (02) 9888 5821
Role Profile - Board Director
Composition and Nature of the Board
Grain Growers Limited (GrainGrowers) is governed by a Board consisting of six non-executive directors elected by the membership of GrainGrowers and two non-grower directors. The Board is actively involved in making key strategic decisions and overseeing implementation of decisions by management. The Board provides insight, advice and support to its CEO and also recognises its ultimate responsibility to oversee the performance of the organisation and the CEO.
It is important to the Board that its composition reflects the diversity of its membership, which means that each Director will differ in the nature and extent of the experiences and skills that they bring to the role. This provides an opportunity for new Directors to further develop their skills as a director of a member-service organisation.
Key Board Accountabilities
On behalf of the members, the Board and its Directors have responsibility for four key aspects of GrainGrowers operations. These are:
- Planning
- Policy
- Investment management
- Governance
Key Director Accountabilities
The Directors of GrainGrowers are elected by the members of GrainGrowers and are expected to understand and consider their views in the decision making undertaken by the Board.
Directors are expected to review all Board meeting materials in advance, attend all Board meetings and action items specifically allocated for follow up post Board meetings.
1 Planning
The Board is responsible for determining a strategic plan for GrainGrowers and, as part thereof, develop a business plan on an annual basis.
On behalf of the members, Directors are expected to:
- identify industry trends and issues affecting grain producers;
- commission research into these issues and report to key stakeholders;
- add value by progressing industry opportunities; and
- determine priorities for GrainGrowers operations.
2 Policy
GrainGrowers' main purpose has been to provide a voice for grain producers in shaping the political and commercial environment in which they operate. This continues to be critical to the organisation and therefore is fundamental to the role of its Directors.
On behalf of the members, Directors are expected to:
- liaise with members and ARGA to gather information about what issues are important to members and understand their implications;
- raise matters that have implications beyond the local level for consideration by the Board;
- determine GrainGrowers' overall position on each issue; and
- support the agreed position and the Chair, as chief spokesperson, when communicating to members and, where appropriate, to key influencers (this could include people at any level of government or within the commercial sector).
3 Investment Management
GrainGrowers holds investments with a total value of approximately $100m. Directors therefore have a significant responsibility to appropriately manage and control its investments to deliver annual income and maintain the investment portfolio for the future.
On behalf of the members, Directors are expected to:
- set broad strategy and policy for investments, including the determination of the risk profile and mix of investments;
- consider and assess expert investment advice; and
- monitor investments to ensure that they are achieving performance objectives and continue to be appropriate.
4 Governance
The Directors of GrainGrowers are responsible for ensuring governance practices and processes are adhered according to the Corporations Law, the Articles of Association and best management practice.
On behalf of the members, Directors are expected to:
- ensure strategy and objectives are set;
- actively question and debate all decisions to ensure that appropriate consideration has been given to all issues;
- set appropriate criteria to appoint a CEO;
- establish and manage appropriate performance objectives for the CEO;
- ensure tangible and intangible company assets are properly controlled and used; and
- ensure laws, rules and regulations are complied with.
Additional Director Accountabilities
- Directors are required to participate in either the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Audit Committee and/or the Investment Committee at the discretion of the Board;
- Directors may be required to attend GrainGrowers and other grain producer organisations' marketing and community events in an official capacity as appropriate; and
- Directors are to be available to participate in meetings and activities at ad hoc times.
Time Commitments and Remuneration
Direct and indirect time commitments for Directors in carrying out the functions of the Board can be expected to be in the order of 28 days for GrainGrowers business.
The GrainGrowers Board determines remuneration for duties relating specifically to GrainGrowers Board business. Remuneration is reviewed on an annual basis with external expertise utilised to benchmark the levels received.
Capability Requirements
In order to achieve the role described above, all Directors will require a robust mix of the following capabilities.
Understanding of the Business Context
- Industry sector, including history, structure and trends
- Competitive market place including local, regional and global markets
- Current and future issues affecting the grain producing industry and grain producers
- Government agenda, including policy initiatives and points of influence
Management Expertise
- Development of strategic plans
- Monitoring of financial and operational performance
- People management
- Commercial acumen with proven success in business
Technical Expertise
- Participation in commercial grain production
- Participation in policy development
- Understanding of research and development (R&D) initiatives
- Understanding of investment management principles
- Understanding of financial management and reporting
- Legal requirements of Association management
- Governance requirements of membership associations and listed companies
Personal Attributes
- Ability to listen to and generate rapport with all key stakeholders and in particular, members
- Confident in dealing with a wide range of people
- Integrity
- Confidentiality
- Ethical principles
- Fair dealing
- Willingness to challenge/question
- Willingness to participate in decision making and reach consensus
- Willingness to support consensus decisions publicly
- Ability to apply a global perspective to issues
- Ability to undertake different roles
- Willingness to travel