Governance

• Introduction
• Role of the Board
• Board Ethics
• Board Elections

Introduction

South Western Inner Sydney Housing Co-operative Limited (SWISH) is a registered Co-operative under the Co-operatives Act 1992 (NSW) and regulated by The Registrar of Associations and Co-operatives. 

The SWISH Rules set out how SWISH will run activities.

SWISH is managed and controlled by a seven member skills based Board of Directors. The SWISH Board has skills in finance and accounting, law, asset management/community housing management, human resource management/community organisation management and social housing provision. Directors are elected by co-op members at the Annual General Meeting. Meet the current Directors.

Our Annual Report provides a review of the years activities and our financial health over the previous year.  

Role of the Board

The SWISH Board of Directors is responsible for the corporate governance of SWISH. Our corporate governance policy establishes the principles by which both the Board and management must operate to ensure that the business of SWISH is carried out for the best interest of members and to ensure there is appropriate balance of responsibilities between the Board and management.

The Board is responsible for developing SWISH's triennial strategic plan which is implemented through our annual business plan. The Executive Officer is delegated with the responsibility of implementing the Strategic and Business Plan.

Board responsibilities also include:

• Assessing and reviewing the policies and performance of SWISH
• Reviewing the appointment and remuneration of the Executive Officer and the remuneration policy of SWISH
• Approving any capital expenditure above the Executive Officer's delegations, acquisition of property, funding agreements and overseeing the audit and compliance functions of SWISH
• Ensuring that the Board and management undertake their duties in compliance with law, regulation and any contractual obligations

Board Ethics

The SWISH Board adheres to the highest ethical principles and these are expressed through the following policy documents which all Board members are required to sign:

• Code of Ethics for Directors and Staff
• Code of Conduct for Directors
• Managing Conflict of Interest Policy and a Register of Interests

Board Elections

Two directors must stand down every year at each annual general meeting but are eligible for re-nomination and re-election. Directors must stand down after four years but are eligible for re-nomination and re-election. No director can serve for more than eight consecutive years. In the event of any vacancies the Board has the power to fill the vacancy until the next AGM.

The Executive Officer is not a member of the Board but attends the monthly Board meetings.

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