It's a voluntary role that may give you a measure of satisfaction that comes from helping to create a green and peaceful future.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific [GPAP]
GPAP is a limited liability Australian Company with a Board of Directors. Instead of shareholders, GPAP has a General Assembly, which is a pool of more than fifty [50] skilled volunteers who are voting members. These members elect the Board. You have to be a General Assembly member to be a board member. The Board in turn appoints the CEO.
We are currently looking for new people to join the General Assembly.
Composition of General Assembly
General Assembly members have a wide range of skills, experience and knowledge. Some of the attributes we look for:
- An enthusiasm and passion for the environment and a commitment to its preservation
- An understanding of the difference between governance and management
- An understanding of financial management principles
- Strategic and business planning and implementation
- An understanding of the Australian legal and/or political landscape
- Ability to interpret the vision and strategy for future growth of organisation
- Integrity and vision
- Willingness to make a positive contribution
Objectives of GPAP
General Assembly members voluntarily contribute limited amounts of time and expertise to ensure that the organisation remains focused on its objectives.
These are summarised in section 7 of the constitution. It states GPAP was established to
- protect, preserve and enhance the natural environment;
- promote nuclear disarmament and peace; and
- to establish and maintain a public fund for the specific purpose of supporting the environmental objectives.
General Assembly Duties
The General Assembly elects the Board from its members and participates in overseeing and decision making through the Annual General Meeting [AGM], and any extraordinary general meeting or postal ballot.
General Assembly members play a similar role to shareholders in a commercial company, without the financial ties. Shareholders do not participate in the day to day operations or decision making. However they can exercise their power via a vote at the AGM on important decisions that affect the direction of the company [ie changes to the constitution] or express their level of satisfaction with the management of the company and the achievement of its objectives [ie vote of confidence in the board]. This is similar to the power and responsibilities of a member of the General Assembly.
General Assembly members pay a membership fee of $25 per year.
It is also important for you to know that under the GPAP Constitution, the General Assembly member is subject to a limited liability in the event of winding up the company, but this liability is capped at $5.00. So you are not exposing yourself to any notable financial risk.
The commitment of a General Assembly member is to:
- examine the documentation sent to you for the AGM [and any other extraordinary meetings that may arise];
- remain informed of GPAP's performance and activities against objectives (that is, reading board minutes);
- if possible, attend the AGM and General Meeting; and
- cast your vote [in person, by post or by appointing a proxy] on any matters presented.
This is not a time consuming role but it is vital to the continued existence of the organisation.
If you wish to join the General assembly, you will need to send a completed application form and a one-page summary of your history and contact details to the office.
This will then be reviewed and you will be contacted. The next step is an election where other General Assembly members will vote from the candidates presented to fill the positions available. You will then be contacted with the result of the election.
Thank you for reading this. I hope that it has clarified the function of the General Assembly and its members.