SDN Children’s Services is a company limited by guarantee and is not-for-profit. Its Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the organisation and for decisions affecting its future direction.
The Board is committed to ensuring the organisation fulfils its mission of:
- providing high quality early childhood education and care
- strengthening families and communities
- addressing inequalities faced by children.
Appointment of Directors
Directors must be Members of the organisation. The Constitution stipulates that every Member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the organisation in the event that it is wound up, such amount not exceeding $10. The Board shall consist of no more than 12 and no fewer than eight Directors. All Directors of the main Board are non-executive members and work in a voluntary capacity.
The Board’s Role
The Board:
- appoints the CEO
- sets the scope of the CEO’s authority to establish programs, budget, administer finances and otherwise manages the organisation
- exercises due diligence, fulfils fiduciary responsibility and guards against undue risk
- develops the strategic plan in association with the CEO and senior staff, and monitors its implementation through the monthly report to the Board
- approves the annual budget and ensures sufficient funds are available to meet financial commitments and obligations as they fall due— based on monthly financial information obtained from the Finance Committee
- ensures the organisation complies with statutory and regulatory standards set by government
- establishes Board Committees as required to oversee aspects of the organisation’s operations. SDN currently has six committees: Finance, Governance, Research Ethics, Strategic Planning, Risk and Compliance, and Remuneration
- reviews all policies.
Responsibilities of Management
The Board has delegated to the Chief Executive Officer the day-to-day running of the organisation and its child care centres, programs, services and consultancy operations.
Board Meetings
The Board meets every second month, with Board papers sent to Directors in advance. The Board receives regular, scheduled presentations from senior management.
SDN Board of Directors
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SDN Child and Family Services’ Board of Directors
The SDN Child and Family Services Board was formed in December 2008 following the establishment of SDN’s subsidiary company SDN Child and Family Services Pty Limited. The subsidiary company is responsible for government program contracts and the Board ensures we responsibly meet the conditions of our contracts. It comprises three SDN Children’s Services Board Members and one external member (all non-executive members) as well as our CEO, Ginie Udy (executive member). The current Child and Family Services members are Tony Gall, Darren Mitchell, Sonya Pearce and Ginie Udy. SDN Child and Family Services Pty Limited has PBI and DGI status.
Click here for more on the Child and Family Service’s Board of Directors
