Step Ahead Trust - Christchurch - New Zealand

Enhancing the well being of people who experience mental illness

Call 03 389 4001 or 0800 688 732

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Step Ahead Trust
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Trust Board

The Step Ahead Trust is the legal entity responsible for the provision of the service.

Membership of the Trust Board

Members of the Board are persons from the community and members of Step Ahead who:

  • Wish to carry out the aims of the Trust Board
  • Agree to the powers and rules set out in the Trust Deed
  • Are elected to the board according to the rules

The Trust Board has up to twelve members consisting of 5 community representatives and 7 Step Ahead member representatives.

The Manager of Step Ahead Trust attends board meetings and holds speaking rights, but is not a board member and does not hold voting rights.

A board member once elected, may hold office for a period of up to three years or until the annual general meeting of the 3rd year in office.  The formal process of re-election then applies.

At any time during those three years, the member may resign, or may leave the board for any of the reasons set out in the Trust Deed.

Current Members

Alan Fielding (Chairperson)
David Fraser (Secretary)
Pauline Woodward (Treasurer)
Helene Barker-Crowe
Elaine Burns
Janet Clinton
Mike Engelbrect
Kay Fletcher
Ann Fraser
Angela Hardaker
Pauline Jager
Bev Tyndall

Functions and Duties of The Board

  • To co-ordinate the activities of the Trust in response to the expressed needs and requirements of its Members.
  • To determine and to implement the policies and philosophy of the Trust.
  • To manage, administer and control the property, funds, assets and affairs of the Trust.
  • To carry out, effect and perform the objectives according to law and as provided in and by the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 or any statutory modification, variation or re-enactment thereof and in accordance with these Rules.
  • To appoint such officers and other servants and to engage such professional assistance and services as may be required to promote and carry out the objectives of the Trust.
  • To do all such other things as, not being contrary to law and being in accordance with these Rules, shall or may be necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Board for the carrying out and performance of the objects of the Trust.
  • To do all such other things as shall be necessary or desirable in order to comply with the provisions of the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 and of the Charities Act 2005 or any statutory modification, variation or re-enactment thereof in their relation to the Trust.

The Role of a Board Member

The role of Board members is to apply their knowledge and experience to guiding the development of Step Ahead in a direction that is in tune with its founding Philosophy and Trust Deed.

The knowledge and experience that Board members bring ranges from:

  • Experience of mental illness and the benefits of belonging to an organisation such as Step Ahead has made on the journey to recovery.
  • Skills and knowledge from past and present work or community roles that is of value to the organization.
  • Knowledge of the health sector and its direction in New Zealand.
  • A desire to give of themselves to work collectively for the development of Step Ahead for all members.

Board members each bring an interesting and valuable mix of the knowledge and skills above to the Board table.

All Board members are bound by the code of conduct of the organisation and accept and respect the confidentiality required around some Board decisions and business.