MSF Board - Farmer & Specialist Director Information

BOARD SUB COMMITTEES

ABOUT MSF

Participation on any sub committee (apart from office bearers on Executive Committee) is voluntary and generally based on field of interest and expertise. Committees are convened to suit member availability and are usually short meetings conducted in the evenings via Zoom.

Established in 1997 Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) is an incorporated body under Victorian legislation, servicing the tri-sate Mallee area of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

Executive Committee principle functions: Provide oversight and support at a more operational level to Executive Officer as needed.

Identify when issues need to be brought to the attention of the full Board.

Consists of the Chairperson, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Executive Officer.

MSF is a well established grower group delivering research, development and extension across a region of 4 million hectares to assist farmers to adopt even more efficient and profitable farming systems.

Finance & Audit Committee principle functions: Provide ongoing oversight of financial management.

Provide regular reporting and timely consideration of financial issues arising.

Ensure standards of reporting meet the needs of the Board to make effective decisions on financial matters.

Chaired by the Treasurer.

Research, Development & Extension Committee principle functions: Provide a tri-state balanced perspective for Board deliberations on R,D & E activities.

Liaise with farmer members, industry groups, funding bodies, agency providers and researchers to identify and prioritise research needs.

Provide assessment and recommendations to the Board on R, D & E proposals.

All MSF information including the Constitution can be found on the website

FARMER DIRECTORS

OUR VISION

2021-22 DIRECTOR REMUNERATION

MSF is governed by a Board of Directors comprising up to six elected farmers, two from each state, and invited Specialist Directors.

Dynamic, profitable and sustainable farming

Reimbursements of reasonable travel and accomodation are made unless booked by MSF directly. An annual stipend is paid to Directors and if a Director is also the Chair of a sub committee, then an additional payment is also made.

MSF is seeking Mallee farmers interested in nominating to become a Farmer Director with the following attributes: a strong interest in Research, Development & Extension enthusiasm to contribute to the strategic direction of MSF governance experience or willingness to participate in governance training.

Farmer Director terms are for a period of two years with a nomination sought annually from each state.

The MSF Board conducts regular self assessment and reviews to assess performance and determine what skills are lacking or are required to take the organisation forward in the future.

Specialist Directors are then invited to join the Board, by Farmer Directors, based on additional skills needed for the Board to undertake its duties more effectively and on the reputation of the person in a relevant field.

There is no time limit for the period of service other than what is determined by the annual invitation process of specialists or a Director electing to retiree.

OUR MISSION Provide excellence in R,D & E initiatives for the dryland Mallee

OUR PURPOSE Protect & enhance the natural environment by encouraging sustainable practice

SPECIALIST DIRECTORS Specialist Director appointments are made annually at the time of the AGM (usually October).

The role of the Specialist Director is to bring their experience, expertise and knowledge to the Board table to enhance the performance of the organisation as a whole.

Specialist Director skills commonly sought: previously held Directorships best practice governance experience financial experience senior industry experience business management experience.

Optional for Directors to claim. *No seperate allowance for a Deputy Chair unless the Deputy assumes the role of Chair or **Executive Committee Chair.

TIME COMMITMENT The MSF Board meets 4 times per year, usually February, June, August and October. Meeting locations vary within the tri-state region, however two meetings are now held via Zoom and two in person.

The Board is supported by sub committees which are advisory to the Board. They focus on specific areas to assist debate and efficient decision making and forward recommendations to the Board.

MSF sub committees: Executive Finance & Audit Research, Development & Extension