Responsibilities of our Board of Governance
Youth Connections North Coast Incorporated (YCNC) is a body registered under the NSW Association Incorporations Act 1984. The constitution of YCNC is the Model Rules for Incorporation Associations 2007 as amended.
YCNC is a leader in promoting support services and programs that make a difference to the lives of young people and their families in the Lismore and surrounding region.
YCNC is governed by a Board with an elected Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board is responsible for providing a process by which the organisation is directed and controlled.
The responsibility for fulfilling legislative and corporate governance obligations rests with the Board and the General Manager of YCNC.
The Board articulates YCNC’s purpose and defines the outcomes and measures it seeks and is responsible for long term organisational planning and direction. The Board defines the organisation’s culture, values and operating principles.
The Board focuses on:
- Strategic leadership rather than administrative detail; and
- Important policy rather than operational matters.
The key responsibilities of the Board are to:
- Determine the organisation’s purpose
- Provide effective organisational planning
- Provide adequate resources and to maintain and manage these resources
- Determine, strengthen and monitor the organisation’s programs and services
- Enhance the organisation’s public standing
- Ensure legal and ethical integrity
- Maintain accountability
- Recruit and orientate new Board Members and assess Board performance
- Oversee the financial position of the organisation
- Ensure the Board is effective
2011 Board of Governance
Click on the names below to find out more about our FANTASTIC, COMMITTED and GENEROUS Board members for 2011.
Lizette Twisleton – Chairperson
Karen Hazan – Vice Chairperson and Public Officer
Shane Shepherd – Secretary
Julia Melland – Treasurer
Rashid Habib – Member
Christine Lovell-Jones – Member
Jennifer Parke – Member
Nicola Prosser – Member
Margi Hill – General Manager and Ex-officio
Lizette Twisleton: Chairperson, YCNC Board of Governance
Lizette has been involved with YCNC Board since 2003. She works for Lismore City Council as Youth and Community Development Officer and facilitates therapeutic groups with women and men through the Men and Family Centre Lismore. She sits on the Board of YAPA, the national peak body for young people and youth services in Australia, and convenes the Lismore and Nimbin Youth Inter-agencies. Lizette has been a member of the local community for more than 20 years and brings extensive local experience in community governance, community engagement, program design and delivery, project management and submission writing.
Karen Hazan: Vice Chairperson and Public Officer, YCNC Board of Governance
Karen is a solicitor and director with Trenches McKenzie Cox Solicitors, and brings extensive experience in industrial and family law and in working with disadvantaged youth. Karen has held positions on Boards of several community organisations, and brings expertise in risk management, problem solving, communications, regulation and compliance.
Shane Shepherd: Secretary, YCNC Board of Governance
Shane is a Social Worker with Community Services NSW in Lismore, working with children, families and marginalised groups. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work and Masters in Indigenous Studies (Trauma and Healing). Shane brings to the Board her commitment to social justice, and expertise in working with young people, families and children, parenting adolescents, communication and conflict, and her experience in working with Indigenous communities in culturally sensitive ways.
Julia Melland: Treasurer, YCNC Board of Governance
Julia is another long term member of YCNC’s Board. She is a bookkeeper with Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service and has extensive experience in community sector financial management. She Chairs YCNC’s Business Services Sub Committee, overseeing the Financial and Business Management of YCNC. In addition to financial management, Julia brings expertise in Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Communication and community engagement.
Rashid Habib: Member, YCNC Board of Governance
Rashid is a community development worker who manages the Northern Rivers No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS). With a BA in Accounting and Human Resource Management and training in Youth Work, Rashid brings a unique perspective to the Board, including expertise in Microfinance and community sector financial management. Rashid is a strong communicator and also brings expertise in governance, risk assessment, program development, and IT.
Christine Lovell-Jones, Member, YCNC Board of Governance
Christine is the Senior Family Law solicitor at Legal Aid in Lismore and specialises in Family and Care and Protection law. An experienced children’s lawyer, Christine works primarily with socially disadvantaged families and young people. She has more than 20 years’ experience working within community services and has extensive expertise in governance.
Jennifer Parke, Member, YCNC Board of Governance
Jennifer is the regional North Coast Manager of Juvenile Justice’s Youth Justice Conferencing Program, and brings expertise in program management, youth and the legal system. Jennifer is also an accredited facilitator in Results Based Accountability, and has extensive experience in facilitation, strategic planning and NGO evaluation.
Nicola Prosser, Member, YCNC Board of Governance
Nicola represents the region on the Young People’s Advisory Committee (YPAC) for NSW Youth Week, and is a Youth Ambassador for Reachout.com, run by the Inspire Foundation. Nicola is trained in community services and is a passionate advocate for young people.
