Introduction

Ms Janelle Bond, who has been an elected director of Peoplecare for six years, is required to retire due to the ending of her current term.  Janelle has offered herself for re-election.

The vacancy that occurs due to the end of Ms Bond’s current term is therefore available to be filled by any eligible qualified person and the information provided on this webpage is to assist members to determine if they wish to apply for the vacant elected position.

The Board is mindful of the benefits provided by a mix of gender on the Board and while there is no legal or constitutional requirement for such a mix, the company benefits from such a mix, all other things being equal.

The Constitutional requirements associated with Board composition are:

 “8.1. The Board of Directors

(a) The board must have not more than 6 directors:
      (i) all of whom must be members or member affiliates;
      (ii) at least 2 of whom must be elected by the members at a meeting called for that purpose; and
      (iii) not more than 4 of whom may be appointed from time to time as directors by resolution of the majority of the board having regard to the specific skills and experience required by the board.

(b) Subject to Rule 8.9, the board may in its absolute discretion appoint not more than 2 persons to act as associate directors in addition to the maximum number of directors allowable under Rule 8.1(a)”.

Member Eligibility for Nomination

• To be eligible for an elected director position, you must be an adult person (policy
holder) on a Peoplecare membership as at 8th July 2011. Only one adult person per membership is eligible to be a director at any one time.
• You must not be disqualified from acting in the role as a Director.
• You must have time to commit to the role.

Duties and responsibilities of a Peoplecare director

• Assist in the setting of the strategic direction of the company and monitoring the
business plan implementation against these strategic objectives.
• Monitoring the financial position and performance of the company and
recommending any necessary changes to achieve strategic and regulatory
objectives.
• Monitoring high level non financial organisational performance to ensure business development, growth, information technology, and health insurance operations.
• Ensuring the significant risks faced by Peoplecare are identified and appropriate control, monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place.
• Contributing to the highest levels of good governance in accordance with the Peoplecare governance principles.
• Ensuring the company complies with all relevant legislation.

Qualifications and attributes required

The private health insurance industry is heavily regulated and complex and as such
directors need to have qualifications or experience that enables them to work within this environment.  The Government regulatory agency the Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) mandates governance and prudential standards that require ongoing compliance and all directors must develop and maintain a sound understanding of these obligations.

To this end, the Board has established a set of criteria and skills that would ensure that all directors of the company would be able to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

These criteria are:
• Professional qualifications enabling the Director to address financial issues and to be  able to readily contribute to the interrogation of financial reports prepared by management and external advisors; and/or
• Professional qualifications that will enable the director to assist in the setting of the strategic direction for growth of the company within a small business environment;  and/or
• Professional qualifications and experience in the area of strategic development particularly as it can be related to a mutual not-for-profit environment where member focus is the overriding primary requirement; and preferably
• A professional understanding of the role and function of a director acquired through direct board experience, but hopefully complemented by demonstrated study through a recognised teaching body such as the Australian Institute of Company Directors; plus
• Excellent communication skills where the director will quickly be able to address the issues and express opinions that will assist the development of the company.

As well as these broad skills, the Board currently seeks a person who may have one or more of the under listed skills experience and qualifications appropriate to our private health insurance business:

• Finance and Accounting
• Information Technology
• SME marketing
• Private Health

Members wishing to be considered must provide an Expression of Interest via the company secretary by 5pm Friday 26th August 2011.

The Expression of Interest should contain an up to date CV highlighting how you consider you meet the required criteria and how you would add value to the Board of Peoplecare.

Further Information

If you require further information regarding the Expression of Interest or election process you can contact the company secretary Dale Cairney dale.cairney@peoplecare.com.au and he will personally deal with your enquiry in strict confidence.