Governance & Compliance
Our governance structure, Director portfolios, legal framework, and compliance obligations.
8
Elected Directors
Volunteer leadership
2
Year Terms
Staggered elections
100%
Volunteer
Community driven
General Duties — All Directors
These duties arise under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) and ACNC Governance Standard 5. They apply to every Director regardless of portfolio. Breach may expose a Director to personal liability.
Within 30 Days of Election
- ▸ Read and become familiar with the Constitution, By-Laws, and SLSA policies
- ▸ Complete SLSNSW Club Management Team Induction training
- ▸ Complete SLS Safer Surf Clubs online training
- ▸ Hold or obtain a current Working With Children Check
At All Times
- ▸ Act with the care and diligence of a reasonable director
- ▸ Act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of the Club
- ▸ Not misuse position or information gained in their role
- ▸ Disclose any perceived or actual conflicts of interest
- ▸ Ensure financial affairs are managed responsibly
- ▸ Not allow the Club to operate while insolvent
Ongoing Obligations & Handover
- ▸ Attend Board meetings — notify President if unable to attend
- ▸ Submit written portfolio report to each Board meeting
- ▸ Ensure all portfolio records are maintained
- ▸ Update SurfGuard and Club records promptly
- ▸ Provide written handover report within 14 days of leaving office
- ▸ Return all Club property, passwords, and reconcile expenditure
Governance Structure
Fingal Beach SLSC is a registered charity governed by an elected Board of Directors under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) and ACNC Governance Standard 5.
Constitutional Framework
- ▸ 8 elected Director positions (Rule 18.2)
- ▸ Staggered 2-year terms (Rule 18.6)
- ▸ Annual General Meeting elections (Rule 19.1)
- ▸ SLSA policy compliance (Rule 6.2)
- ▸ Minimum 20 Patrol Members required (Rule 8.1)
Board Responsibilities
- ▸ Child Safe Commitment (Policy 6.04A)
- ▸ Inclusion & Diversity (Policy 6.05A)
- ▸ Organisational Neutrality (Policy 6.25)
- ▸ Financial Integrity (Policy 6.27)
- ▸ Strategic Plan 2026-2030
Election Process
- ▸ Nominations open 30 days before AGM
- ▸ Must be members in good standing
- ▸ Staggered elections for continuity
- ▸ Maximum 3 consecutive terms (Rule 18.6(b))
- ▸ Must be 18+, Australian residents
Director Portfolios
The Board consists of the President and eight portfolio Directors, each responsible for a specific area of the Club's operations. For current Director names and contact details, please visit the About page.
President
Principal Leader
Role: Principal leader with overall responsibility for governance and administration.
Key Responsibilities: Chair Board meetings, represent Club at SLSNSW and HSLS, lead strategic planning.
Appointed Roles: No non-Board roles report directly to the President.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, SLS Safer Surf Clubs training. Preferred: previous committee or board experience.
Director of Administration
Secretariat & Records
Role: Oversees administrative operations, Board secretariat, member records, and document management.
Key Responsibilities: Prepare Board agendas and minutes, maintain SurfGuard, manage member onboarding.
Appointed Roles: Registrar, Media & Communications, Social Media, Website Manager, IT Manager.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, working knowledge of Microsoft Office and SurfGuard.
Director of Lifesaving
Patrol Operations
Role: Overall responsibility for lifesaving services, patrol operations, gear, and powercraft.
Key Responsibilities: Patrol rosters, develop Patrol Operations Manual, ensure equipment compliance.
Appointed Roles: Patrol Captains, IRB Captain, First Aid Officer, Emergency Callout Team Coordinator, Gear Steward.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, NSW driver's licence. Preferred: Bronze Medallion or Silver Medallion Beach Management.
Director of Education
Training & Development
Role: Leads the Club's education and training program, manages junior development pathways.
Key Responsibilities: Coordinate training officers, manage awards and proficiencies, ensure training compliance.
Appointed Roles: Training Officers, Assessors, Facilitators, Junior Pathways Coordinator, Community Education Officer.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, relevant minimum qualifications outlined in SLSNSW Education SOPs.
Director of Surf Sports
Competition & Events
Role: Organises and coordinates all surf sports activities and major events.
Key Responsibilities: Club Championships, IRB Premiership Series, competition entries, coaches and officials.
Appointed Roles: Surf Boat Captain, Board & Ski Captain, Coaches, Officials, Competition Coordinator, Team Manager.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC. Preferred: SLS Coaching or Officiating course.
Director of Member Services
Welfare & Inclusion
Role: Responsible for member welfare, recruitment, retention, diversity, inclusion, and integrity framework.
Key Responsibilities: MPIO, Child Safe Coordinator, Complaints Manager, youth development, awards and recognition.
Appointed Roles: Youth Development Officer, MPIO, Complaints Manager, Child Safe Coordinator, Social/Events Coordinator.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, SLS Safer Surf Clubs and Safeguarding training.
Director of Finance
Financial Governance
Role: Ensures correct financial management, reporting, and governance.
Key Responsibilities: Budget preparation, financial reporting, statutory returns, audit liaison.
Appointed Roles: Merchandise Manager, Fundraising Coordinator, Grants & Sponsorship Officer.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, SLS Safer Surf Clubs training. Preferred: tertiary qualification in accounting, finance, or business management.
Director of Club Services
Facilities & Operations
Role: Responsible for physical operations — clubhouse, gym, bar, buildings, Crown land lease, and access systems.
Key Responsibilities: Bar operations, gymnasium, FOB access, CCTV, building maintenance.
Appointed Roles: Bar Manager, Gym Coordinator, Building Coordinator, FOB Access Manager, WHS Officer, Caretaker.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, NSW driver's licence. Preferred: practical experience in facilities management, licensed venues, or building maintenance.
Director of Junior Activities
Nippers Program
Role: Manages and coordinates the Nippers program — the Club's primary child-facing portfolio.
Key Responsibilities: Nipper sessions, Age Managers, water safety, Child Safe compliance.
Appointed Roles: Water Safety Coordinator, Age Group Managers, Junior Activities Administrator.
Entry Requirements: Current financial member, WWCC, SLSNSW Junior Activity Chair Training, qualified SLSA Age Manager.
HSLS Delegate & Co-opted Persons
HSLS Branch Delegate
The Board must appoint a Delegate from among the Directors to attend Hunter Surf Life Saving (HSLS) Branch meetings (Constitution Rule 18.4).
- ▸ Attend all HSLS Branch general meetings and other meetings as required
- ▸ Represent the Club's views and interests
- ▸ Report to the Board within 7 days of each HSLS meeting
- ▸ Advise the President of any matters requiring urgent Board attention
Co-opted Persons
The Board may co-opt any person with appropriate experience or expertise to assist the Board (Constitution Rule 18.3).
- ▸ Co-opted persons are not Directors and do not have a vote
- ▸ Act in an advisory capacity only
- ▸ Must be a current financial member with a current WWCC
- ▸ Formally appointed by Board resolution specifying purpose, scope, and duration
Governance Operations
Board Meetings
- ▸ Frequency: As needed for club business (Rule 21.1)
- ▸ Quorum: 5 Directors required (Rule 21.3)
- ▸ Notice: 7 days minimum (Rule 21.1(b))
- ▸ Chair: President or appointed Director (Rule 21.4(a))
- ▸ Voting: Majority decides, chair has casting vote (Rule 21.4(c))
Director Duties
All Directors must (Rule 18.1(c)):
- ▸ Exercise care and diligence
- ▸ Act in good faith in club's best interests
- ▸ Not misuse position or information
- ▸ Disclose material conflicts (Rule 21.6)
- ▸ Ensure responsible financial management
- ▸ Prevent insolvent trading
Vacation of Office
Director position becomes vacant if (Rule 20.1):
- ▸ Ceases to be a member
- ▸ Absent from 3 consecutive meetings
- ▸ Conflict of interest violation
- ▸ Acts prejudicial to club interests
- ▸ Brings club into disrepute
- ▸ Removed by Special Resolution (Rule 20.2)
Legal & Compliance Framework
Fingal Beach SLSC operates under a robust legal and compliance framework to ensure the safety of our members and the community, and to maintain our charitable status.
Legislative Basis
- ▸ Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW)
- ▸ ACNC Governance Standard 5
- ▸ Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (NSW)
- ▸ Liquor Act 2007 (NSW)
- ▸ Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW)
- ▸ Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
SLSA Policies
- ▸ 1.01 Water Safety
- ▸ 1.01A Water Safety — Risk Assessment
- ▸ 6.02 Privacy
- ▸ 6.03 Inclusion and Safe Participation
- ▸ 6.04 Child Safe Commitment
- ▸ 6.05 Member Protection
- ▸ 6.06 Complaints
- ▸ 6.16 Criminal Convictions
- ▸ 6.25 Organisational Neutrality
- ▸ 6.27 Anti-Corruption and Fraud
Related By-Laws
The Board operates under a suite of By-Laws that provide detailed operational guidance for each portfolio and function.
BL-04
Director Portfolios & Duties
BL-05
Elections
BL-06
Committees & Delegations
BL-07
Financial Management
BL-08
Conflict of Interest
BL-09
Records, Documents & Archives
BL-10
Meeting Standing Orders
BL-12
Patrol Operations
AGM Minutes & Financial Reports
As a registered charity, Fingal Beach SLSC is committed to transparency and good governance. Key documents are made available to members and the public in accordance with ACNC requirements and SLSNSW guidelines.
AGM Minutes
All documents are provided in PDF format. If you require an alternative format, please contact us.
Key Documents
For current Board member names and contact details, visit the About page.