Update on governance review: January 2025
Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua.
Those who lead give sight to those who follow,
those who follow give life to those who lead.
Kia ora koutou
After a busy time at the end of 2024 holding our branch Annual General Meetings, we wanted to take some time to update you on where we are at with our governance review.
As you may recall, all members of CCS Disability Action were invited to vote at their local 2024 AGM on a remit to accept the proposed model. You can read it here: www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz/governancereview/remit-2024
The voting system was proportional, based on the total number of members per branch. Our constitution required us to have 67 per cent of votes in favour of the remit.
Voting results
We are really pleased to announce we well exceeded this requirement with only four percent of votes against.
This means that our branches have voted to accept the new three-entity governance model proposed by the CCS Disability Action National Board.
What happens now?
The remit was ratified at the national AGM held 5th December 2024.
This gives legal authority for all constitutions to be updated with the changes.
These changes will mean that each of our current branch incorporated societies will be ‘wound up’ and instead there will be one service entity that provides support to disabled people and whānau across the country.
The Governance Review was and still is focused on our legal structure as an organisation. It’s important to remember that nothing will change in our mahi supporting people and we will continue to have offices in the same locations.
Our South Canterbury branch voted against the remit, but we had a constructive and positive hui with their governance, staff and members in early January. There will be an opportunity for the South Canterbury branch to come on board by voting for the remit again at Special General Meetings being held in the coming months.
The process of appointing Board members for the three new entities is now taking place and we will update you on these appointments shortly.
What happens next?
Soon, we’ll be inviting you to attend two Special General Meetings being held at your local branch in March and May. These meetings will enable two further remits to be endorsed so we can take the next steps required to move to the new structure.
We’ll provide you with more details about the Special General Meetings soon.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Dairne Kirton or myself.
We're always more than happy to talk to anybody about what’s happening with the governance structure review.
Dairne Kirton
National President, CCS Disability Action
Mel Smith
Chief Executive, CCS Disability Action
Recapping the process so far
We thought it might be helpful to recap the process so far, as this mahi has run over a long period or you might be a new member to the CCS Disability Action whānau.
I’d like to invite you to put the kettle on, make a cuppa, and find a quiet moment to read the full Governance Update below.
What does this recap contain?
The information below recaps:
why we’re reviewing our governance structure
how we consulted and developed the process
the new proposed governance model (the ‘three-entity’ model)
the process of voting to endorse the new ‘three-entity’ model
recent voting results from our AGMs.
Accessible formats
A summary of the process to date is available in NZSL and Easy Read on our website here: www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz/governancereview/proposed-structure
More accessible information will be available as we continue to work through this process.
Background
The CCS Disability Action National Board have been leading a process to consider whether our existing governance structure meets the needs of our organisation, now and into the future.
This was prompted by a change in legislation. In 2022, a new Incorporated Societies Act was passed. This included updates to modern legal governance and enforcement settings and the requirement for new constitutions to be adopted. It also requires all Incorporated Societies in New Zealand to re-register by April 2026.
Currently CCS Disability Action is a national organisation split into 18 separate Incorporated Societies. Each entity has its own constitution and reporting requirements as a registered charity.
While our 18 individual incorporated societies are united in our focus on delivering high quality disability support, advocacy and information to people across the country – our structure makes it challenging to do so in a cost efficient and effective way.
The Board wanted to explore whether a new governance structure model would make it possible for more resources to channelled into direct support for disabled people and whānau and to create positive change in communities across New Zealand.
Building knowledge: the consultation and development process
Work to gather feedback on CCS Disability Action’s governance arrangements began in the second half of 2023. This initial consultation process included a wide range of people across our governance groups. They shared their experiences of our current arrangements and their views on what worked well and how we can improve them.
From this feedback a set of options for governance arrangements were developed, which were then tested by the Board, National Leadership Teams and local governance chairs. Following further development, options for proposed governance structures were then shared with members through 19 in-person hui across the country and an online hui. The purpose of this engagement was to seek feedback on governance structure options that would best meet the following goals:
As you can imagine this work involved a huge of number of conversations with a wide range of people who are connected with us right across the motu. I want to thank every person who played a part in bringing these events to life. Ngā mihi.
The governance restructure and consultation process provided a unique opportunity to connect with our communities, listen to their voices, and use their input to shape the direction of governance and community connection for the next 90 years. The willingness of people to share their thoughts and ideas has been truly inspiring and has played a pivotal role in shaping our future direction.
This was an opportunity to understand what is important for them about CCS Disability Action – we heard what we need to do less of and also the things we need to safeguard - because they make us who we are.
The active participation of disabled people and whānau hauā as well as our local and national governance members strengthened our resolve to build a governance model that truly reflects our values as an organisation and highlights the value of diversity.
The proposed structure for CCS Disability Action: A ‘three-entity model’
Feedback from this national consultation was incorporated into a new proposed governance structure that was endorsed by the CCS Disability Action National Board. We are calling this the ‘three-entity model’. The reason for this is that there would be three new organisations established to do all the things that our 18 organisations currently do.
Head Trust
The first organisation would be the Head Trust. This would be the lead organisation and governance group of the three entities. Its focus is to ensure the three organisations work together to achieve its vision, strategic priorities and group performance. This organisation would be a Charitable Trust.
Service Entity
The second organisation would be the Service Entity. This would be the organisation that provides all support to disabled people and whānau. It would employ all the staff that currently work for CCS Disability Action branches across the country. This organisation would be a Charitable Company.
Foundation
The third organisation would be the Foundation. It would look after the buildings and the financial assets that CCS Disability Action branches across the country currently look after in 18 different places. This organisation would be a Charitable Trust.
Each of these organisations would have their own Board of Trustees. The purpose and objectives of the three entities would remain the same.
CCS Disability Action’s Vision and Strategic Priorities will be the same. We will continue our work across the country just as we currently do.
Ensuring local perspectives are honoured: From Local Advisory Committees to Voice and Action Groups
Currently, each of our 18 separate entities has a Local Advisory Group and a Local Executive Group. In some cases, where there is not enough community interest, these are combined to form one Local Committee.
Local Advisory Committees are made up of members of the community who are interested in the work that CCS Disability Action does, and in making a difference in their local community. With the new ‘three-entity model’, the work of Local Advisory Committees would move to Voice and Action Groups. Voice and Action Groups would serve an important and enduring advisory role in the ‘three-entity model’.
The purpose of these groups is to gather and amplify the voice of local disabled people on initiatives and issues that matter, and empower disabled people, whānau and allies to drive action and influence change at a local and national level. An intended outcome of the Voice and Action Groups is to help foster and develop disabled people’s leadership across the country.
The Role of Voice and Action Groups
They would serve two core functions.
1. Be the voice for disabled people and whānau
Understand local needs and challenges: bring disabled people together to understand local challenges and opportunities.
2. Take local action for positive change
Lead and support local advocacy and change: advocate for change in local communities to improve the lives of disabled people and their families.
Working in partnership with the Service Entity
Members of each Voice and Action Group will work in partnership with the Service Entity staff to raise issues and to act on agreed outcomes.
All existing Local Advisory Committees, Local Committees and active interest groups who currently work with CCS Disability Action will be invited to become part of a Voice and Action Group.
Robust financial oversight: From Local Executive Committees to the Foundation Board and Funding Committees
Currently, each of our 18 local organisations has a governance group responsible for financial stewardship of its assets. These Local Executive Committees (or Local Finance Committees) are made up of members of the community that are interested in the work that CCS Disability Action does, and that have skills relating to running a business or managing finance and risk.
With the new ‘three-entity model’, the work of Local Executive or Local Finance Committees would move to the Board of the Foundation. They would work in partnership with Regional Funding Committees, to ensure local needs are met. The Board would look after the non-operational assets and investments of the Foundation.
They will work with Fund Managers to make the most of the income opportunities we have and ensure that our existing assets and investments around the country are well maintained, now and into the future. The Board of the Foundation would work with Regional Funding Committees.
There would be four committees – one for each existing CCS Disability Action region (Northern, Midland, Central and Southern). The Board would advise the Regional Funding Committees how much funding is available to allocate in their region over the year.
The Regional Funding Committee would be the point of contact for applications from both the Service Entity and Voice and Action groups. This would create an opportunity to invest in initiatives that will make a positive impact for disabled people and families in local communities.
Voting to endorse the model
The way CCS Disability Action branches and the National entity works is set out in our constitutions. These detail our rules, our purpose, the work we do and how we do it.
All branches have their own constitutions (which are the same for each branch), and the National Entity has a separate constitution.
To make a change to either of the constitutions, a remit must be provided to all members which is then voted on firstly at a branch Special General Meeting or AGM and then at the national Special General Meeting or AGM. The remit provides the proposed wording for any change/s to the constitutions and an explanation about why the change/s is being suggested.
All members of CCS Disability Action were invited to vote at their local 2024 AGM on a remit to accept the proposed model. You can read it here: www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz/governancereview/remit-2024
The voting system was proportional, based on the total number of members per branch. Our constitution required us to have 67 per cent of votes in favour of the remit.
I am really pleased to announce we well exceeded this requirement with only four percent of votes against.
This means that our branches have voted to accept the new three-entity governance model proposed by the CCS Disability Action National Board.
While it might feel disappointing not to get to 100 per cent, it is important to note that our current legal structure has been largely unchanged for almost 90 years. This endorsement marks an incredibly significant milestone for CCS Disability Action.
The new governance model will help ensure that CCS Disability Action remains fit for purpose and continues to make a positive impact in the lives of disabled people and their whānau across the motu.
What happens now and next?
The remit was ratified at the national AGM held 5th December 2024.
This gives legal authority for all constitutions to be updated with the changes.
These changes will mean that each of our current branch incorporated societies will be ‘wound up’ and instead there will be one service entity that provides support to disabled people and whānau across the country.
The Governance Review was and still is focused on our legal structure as an organisation. It’s important to remember that nothing will change in our mahi supporting people and we will continue to have offices in the same locations.
Our South Canterbury branch voted against the remit, but we had a constructive and positive hui with their governance, staff and members in early January. There will be an opportunity for the South Canterbury branch to come on board by voting for the remit again at Special General Meetings being held in the coming months.
The process of appointing Board members for the three new entities is now taking place and we will update you on these appointments shortly.
We’ll also be inviting you to attend two Special General Meetings being held at your local branch in March and May. These meetings will enable two further remits to be endorsed so we can take the next steps required to move to the new structure.
We’ll provide you with more details about the Special General Meetings soon.
Ngā mihi nui.