SOUTHLAND KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION: GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Mission: Excellence in Early Childhood Education – Enriching Our Children’s Future
Vision: SKA is a recognised leader
in the early childhood education sector in Southland. Southland Kindergarten
Association’s vision is set out in our key goals for 2007-08:
1. Service Delivery – assessing viability of different service delivery
strategies;
2. Organisational Focus – organisational capability; project resourcing,
knowledge management;
3. Marketing and Funding – external and internal marketing, funding.
The Southland Kindergarten Association (SKA) is a licensed early childhood education provider, with 21 kindergartens and associated businesses in Southland. Its principal funding is derived from government funding.
The SKA Governance Plan relates to the Board of Governors—its organisation, functions, and activities. It is not intended to prescribe activities or decisions that are the prerogative of the General Manager of the Southland Kindergarten Association or to preclude the Board’s right to deviate from the plan.
The SKA Governance Plan is intended to provide a general format and, when combined with the mission and vision statements above, a sense of direction leading to realisation of the Association’s vision.
FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
MEMBERSHIP in the Association is governed by Rule 4 (“Membership”)
and Rule 6 (“Board of Governors”) in the Southland Kindergarten
Association constitution, viz,. each President of a Kindergarten operated
by Southland Kindergarten Association and each Member of the Board of
Governors.
The PRESIDENT of the Association is responsible
to the Board of Governors for the operation of Southland Kindergarten
Association in accordance with the Strategic Plan and Governance Plan.
To carry out these responsibilities, the President will:
• Provide leadership to assure Mission accomplishment
• Chair all meetings of the Board of Governors.
• Consult with the General Manager, Executive Officer, and Board
of Governors members as appropriate.
• Create ad hoc committees when necessary.
The VICE PRESIDENT of the Southland Kindergarten Association will assume the responsibilities of the President in the absence of the President or when so requested by the President, the General Manager, or the Board of Governors. The Vice President also will perform such additional duties as are delegated by the President. The Vice President is elected by the Board of Governors at the first meeting after the annual general meeting.
The BOARD OF GOVERNORS is responsible for all activities of the Association. Each member is entitled to one vote. Members shall be in a position to commit their resources to Southland Kindergarten Association activities. The Board of Governors shall meet monthly. The President and Board of Governors members will be elected in accordance with the Constitution. The Board annually reviews the leadership of the Association and is the employer of the General Manager.
Any STANDING COMMITTEES, representing the Board of Governors, shall be appointed by the Board of Governors from time to time as necessary. The Board of Governors may delegate and assign standing committees such powers, duties, and responsibilities as the Board sees fit.
The EXECUTIVE OFFICER shall perform the specified list of duties as set out at the time of appointment. The Executive Officer shall be appointed by and directly responsible to the Board of Governors for the efficient functioning of the Association’s financial administration and other duties as specified by the Board of Governors.
The GENERAL MANAGER provides day-to-day leadership and manages ongoing activities of the Southland Kindergarten Association and, to the extent consistent with the law and the Southland Kindergarten Association constitution and policy, implements decisions made by the Board of Governors and other standing committees. In addition, the General Manager is responsible for all functions related to the participation of personnel. The General Manager also is responsible for recruiting, supervising, and directing the staff in performance of their duties and is the principal point of contact with the Southland Kindergarten Association.
The STAFF performs duties assigned by the General Manager.
