Governance review: Frequently asked questions
CCS Disability Action is a national membership-based organisation with offices across the country. The national governance bodies and activities are built from the local membership base.
What is the review about?
The CCS Disability Action National Board has commissioned independent consultants, MartinJenkins, in partnership with Steven Moe – Parry Field Lawyers to review our current governance arrangements. We have asked them to develop a range of governance options for us to consider and discuss with members.
Why do we need it?
In 2022, a new Incorporated Societies Act was passed. This replaces the previous Act, which dated back to 1908. The updated Act includes modern legal governance and enforcement settings. CCS Disability Action needs to develop and adopt a new constitution and re-register by April 2026.
The new Act creates new requirements for CCS Disability Action. It also presents an ideal opportunity for the organisation to step back, and to ensure that our governance arrangements work well.
It's important that we have a sustainable, solid governance model that enables the national board, national leadership team, and the branches to work effectively and efficiently together, in a way that best serves CCS Disability Action and those we support.
When is it happening?
Phase one: gathering insights and creating options
From late September 2023 to late February 2024, MartinJenkins will be speaking to members of the national board, national leadership team, local advisory, local executive and local committees in interviews and workshops.
They will develop governance options for members to consider.
Phase two: engaging with members
Members will have the opportunity to have their say at a series of workshops held across the county. These will be held in a range of locations and online. This feedback will help inform some final options.
Phase three: voting on options
Members will have an opportunity to vote on preferred options at branch Special General Meetings (SGMs) from August 2024. A final decision on the governance arrangements will be made at the December 2024 National AGM.
Will this affect staff and people we support?
This review relates to the governance structure. It is not an operational review and there will be no changes to any staff or services because of this review. This review is focused on how we manage and structure our governance arrangements only. We are committed to making sure we are set up appropriately to serve disabled people for the long term. We will be sharing the options with members in 2024 to seek your feedback.