Ordinary Board Member
As the peak body, MHCN works with and for mental health carers in NSW. We represent the voices and lived experience of mental health carers which help us to advocate systemically for mental health reform.
We are currently recruiting to fill a vacancy for an Ordinary Board Member (OBM) on MHCN’s managing Board.
MHCN is an inclusive organisation, but the general experience which we are interested in recruiting to the Board includes:
• Lived experience of supporting people with mental health concerns to use NSW mental health services, and/or; • Professional experience in other relevant mental health or carer support programs or services.
Specific experience which we are interested in recruiting to the Board includes:
• Professional experience working in the NSW Health Family and Carer Mental Health Program (FCMHP), and/or; • Legal expertise applied in mental health or community managed organisation governance relevant areas.
While these are our preferred criteria, if you have ever been on a community board before, or have thought about volunteering on one and these areas are of interest to you, please feel free to get in touch.
Expectations
If you are selected as a Board member you will be required to:
• Be familiar with and observe the Constitution, the Board Governance policies and other relevant MHCN policies, procedures, and documents.
• Observe the standards of ethical behaviour set out in the Code of Conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest in line with the Governance policies.
• Attend at least 75% of meetings and be prepared to come to Board meetings e.g., reading Board papers prior.
• Exercise competence and diligence in the understanding and oversight of organisational management.
• Exercise competence and diligence in the preparation of the annual audited financial report that is to be disclosed to the public.
• Contribute actively to Board discussions and consideration of decisions, and to commit time to Board work outside of meetings when needed.
• Promote a culture of clear and positive communication, and monitor key culture indicators such as psychological safety, inclusion, belonging, wellbeing and diversity.
• Be a team player, work in a collegial way and stand behind decisions of the Board once they are made.
• Participate in organisational policy reviews and complete agreed tasks and commitments.
• Advise if no longer able to contribute to the level required.
Term and Election
An appointed member of the Board may be selected at any time subject to concurrent membership of the organisation. You may join MHCN at any time through a short member sign up form via the website. The term of an appointed Board member ends at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) after their appointment. However, appointed Board members will be encouraged to stand for election at that AGM, and if successful, would serve a two-year term in line with other elected members.
Application Process
• To apply for this role, please submit the following by email to [email protected]:
- Cover letter stating why you are interested in the role
- Resume
- Board Member application form available on request. • The closing date for applications will be COB Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
• Late applications will not be considered.
• Applications that do not include all 3 of the documents requested will not be considered.
• All applications will be acknowledged that they have been received by email.
For more information around MHCN and the role, including the position description and selection process, please email us at [email protected] and we will send you a copy of the Recruitment Kit.
MHCN will endeavour to recruit members to the Board that reflect the diversity of the services provided and the community it serves.
Full criminal record checks, referee checks and previous employment checks are required for all Board members.
If you have any questions, please contact MHCN at [email protected] or 02 9332 0777.