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Management Committee Members Introduction to CLCs 6 June 2013

Management Committee Members Introduction to CLCs 6 June 2013. Agenda. A “ snapshot ” of the Community Legal Sector CLCNSW Justice Sector Agencies Current issues A brief overview of the role of the management committee Questions. Let ’ s go back to the beginning…. The first CLC.

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Management Committee Members Introduction to CLCs 6 June 2013

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  1. Management Committee Members Introduction to CLCs 6 June 2013

  2. Agenda • A “snapshot” of the Community Legal Sector • CLCNSW • Justice Sector Agencies • Current issues • A brief overview of the role of the management committee • Questions

  3. Let’s go back to the beginning…

  4. The first CLC Where and when was the first community legal centre in Australia established?

  5. The first CLC Fitzroy Legal Centre in Melbourne, Victoria 18 December 1972

  6. CLCs – why? Name one reason why CLCs came into existence.

  7. CLCs – why? Primarily because of a concern that many people in the community were unable to access legal assistance because of costs or other barriers. CLCs developed with a philosophy of holistic and accessible service provision.

  8. A “snapshot” of the Community Legal Sector What is a CLC? • A non profit organisation independent from government, commercial and professional bodies • Community-based organisation whose goals and priorities are established in response to the geographic community and/or community of interest it serves.

  9. A “snapshot” of the Community Legal Sector What is a CLC? • Aims to: • carry on a legal practice • develop effective ways of informing the community of its legal rights and responsibilities • provide disadvantaged sections of the community with access to legal and related information and/or services • advocate for the development of laws, administrative practices and a legal justice system which are fair, just and equitable • develop and maintain close links with the community it serves to ensure that areas of unmet need are detected and appropriate services developed

  10. A “snapshot” of the Community Legal Sector A brief history of CLCs • Social justice movement in early 1970s • Volunteer-run free legal information and advice • 1977: first CLC in Redfern

  11. A “snapshot” of the Community Legal Sector Funding of CLCs • Commonwealth • State • Public Purpose Fund • Other sources (Fair Trading) • Managed by Legal Aid NSW

  12. A “snapshot” of the Community Legal Sector Areas of work/staffing in CLCs • Civil • Family • Criminal • Principal Solicitor / Coordinator • Solicitors / Community workers

  13. CLCNSW Membership • 37 full members (CLCs) • 3 associate members

  14. CLCNSW Board and Committees • Board • Subcommittees: • Finance • Staffing • Aboriginal Legal Access Program • Sector Development • Membership compliance

  15. CLCNSW State Office • Director • ALAP Community Development Worker • Regional Accreditation Coordinator • Advocacy & Human Rights Officer • Sector Development Coordinator • Administrator • Finance Officer • Volunteers (interns, including PLT students)

  16. CLCNSW programs • Aboriginal Legal Access Program • Accreditation • Advocacy and Human Rights • Sector Development

  17. The quarterlies • Held February, May, August, November • 2 day meetings • Network meetings and professional development sessions • Includes General Meetings at end of second day • Legal Training Day and Leadership Day

  18. CLCNSW networks • Practice Insurance Committee (PII) • Coordinators/Directors/Sector Development • Law Reform & Policy (which has a number of working groups) • RRR (Rural, Regional, Remote) • Aboriginal Advisory Group • Community Legal Education workers (CLEW) • Administrators and Finance • Domestic Violence and Victims Compensation committee .

  19. Attendance at meetings • There are two meetings at each quarterlies for which the CLCNSW Rules requires each member CLC to send a representative. • PII and General Meetings.

  20. Justice Sector Agencies NACLC: National Association of Community Legal Centres Peak body for all CLCs in Australia. CLCNSW is NSW member.

  21. Justice Sector Agencies NLAF NSW Legal Assistance Forum • An interagency forum that brings together key legal service providers across government, non government and private sectors.  • NLAF aims to facilitate access to justice for socially and economically disadvantaged people by: • improving the way services and programs are designed and delivered • promoting cooperative arrangements and collaboration between organisations within the community and justice sectors • promoting the development of innovative ways of servicing marginalised groups in the community, based on relevant research and identified gaps in existing legal services.

  22. Justice Sector Agencies • Legal Aid NSW • Law & Justice Foundation • Law Society • Department of Attorney General and Justice • Bar Association • Pro bono partners

  23. Current issues • Rollover of funding agreements • Funding principles

  24. Role of Management Committee • Governance versus Management • Governance is the work of the Board, day to day management is the work of Coordinator / Principal Solicitor / staff

  25. Role of Management Committee • Constitution - mission, purpose & objects • Do you have a copy / know what’s in the constitution? • Mission – what / how / why and “core value” • Does the mission statement truly reflect the Centre’s work? • Review regularly (annually?)

  26. Role of Management Committee • Legal and ethical responsibilities • Ensure adhere to Federal / State law • Effective HR, WH&S policies • Conflict of interest policy – Board, management, staff, volunteers • Understand Coordinator’s responsibility to hire / fire staff

  27. Role of Management Committee • Strategic planning • Ensure effective planning • Regular review of programs and services • SWOT • Translate mission into realistic & effective goals • Reporting processes against plan

  28. Role of Management Committee • Accreditation • Understand and support the NACLC accreditation scheme

  29. Role of Management Committee • Resources – financial and people • Oversee adequacy / funding / new opportunities • Annual budget process – discuss / understand / oversight • Financial reporting procedures • Support Coordinator / Principal Solicitor

  30. Role of Management Committee • Public relations, promotion and committee/board membership • Ambassador for Centre

  31. Role of Management Committee • Governance training • CLCNSW is able to provide this to all CLC MCs in NSW • Contact State Office for more information.

  32. Questions ?????????

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