Background Information
Brain Injury SA (BISA) appreciates that those living with acquired brain injury (ABI) have valuable skills and insights to contribute to the community service board. The board has created the role of board trainee to allow people with acquired brain injury to gain experience in governance and contribute to service development at Brain Injury SA.
What this Role Offers
The successful applicant will be offered a two-year traineeship, with the opportunity to seek appointment as a full board member following this. During the traineeship you will receive:
- Opportunity to gain valuable board experience
- Governance training
- Networking opportunities
- Support from a board mentor you and guide you in reaching your professional development goals
- Opportunity to participate in all board discussions (as a nonvoting trainee)
Board Responsibilities:
- To explain and offer training access on Director responsibilities, even though these will not apply to the trainee.
- To include the trainee as a full and equal Board member on all matters except voting.
- To actively support the appointed Trainee through encouragement to contribute opinions and ideas and give access to advice and mentoring as requested by the Trainee and subject to time available of individual Board members.
Trainee Responsibilities:
- To bring experience to Board meeting discussions and actively contribute
- To be open to learning, identifying needs for guidance or clarification on any matters under discussion
- To adhere to all policy and procedure guiding governance activities within the organisation including the signing of a confidentiality and code of conduct agreement
- To attend approximately one meeting/event per month over a 12 month period, including:
- 80% meetings of the Board
- At least one meeting of each of the Board sub-committees:
- Finance, Audit Risk
- Governance
- At the end of placement, to give a short presentation to the Board on the experience and how it can be strengthened
Criteria for selection
Essential:
- Successful candidates must have lived experience of brain injury
- Applicants must be over 18
- Commitment to attend Board meetings, subcommittee meetings and events as required
- A strong commitment and passion in achieving excellence in service delivery to people living with brain injury
- A demonstrated capacity to understand and adhere to principles necessary for this role including confidentiality and informed diligence
Desirable:
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong interest and enthusiasm for progressing the development of BISA as both a service provider and peak body
- Applicants can identify why they are interested in a governance role and how this experience might contribute to their life goals
- Applicants demonstrate a commitment to expanding opportunities for others living with brain injury in the community
Note: In line with all Board appointments, this is a voluntary position and is not paid, although expenses incurred in meeting attendance can be paid as agreed at appointment.
Selection process
All applications will be reviewed by the Governance Committee using the above criteria. Interviews may be conducted with short listed candidates and will be in person.
A completed application should include:
- Full Name, Address, date of birth, contact details – email and telephone number as a minimum
- What you know about Brain Injury SA and how did you find out about this role?
- Why you would like to be appointed as a Board Trainee of the Board of Brain Injury SA?
- What do you think are the strengths you would bring to the role?
- What support or assistance would you be looking for to fulfil your role as a Board trainee?
- What you would like to get from this experience of a governance role?
plus
- Any other information you would like to contribute in your application
Applications are advertised on BISA’s social media and website when available.
A bit about Brain Injury SA…
Our Vision:
Embrace life after brain injury
Our Purpose
Brain Injury SA is for people with Acquired Brain Injury
Acquire Brain Injury (ABI) is the “multiple disabilities arising from damage to the brain acquired after birth. It results in deterioration in cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functioning. It can be as a result of accidents, tumours, infection, poisoning, lack of oxygen, degenerative neurological disease etc.”
– National Community Services Data Dictionary (Australian Institute of Health and Well Being, Canberra, 2012)
As a Peak Body and a Service Provider, Brain Injury SA works with and for the ABI community to:
- Empower people to determine and work towards their goals
- Provide tailored and accessible therapy services to maximise quality of life
- Assist in addressing barriers and issues arising from living with disabilities
- Support families and carers
- Advocate for and work to deliver increased community and government awareness, inclusion and assistance for people living with ABI
- Continuously improve the value and quality of services through research, evaluation and development
Our Values
