Constitutional Changes Approved
UPDATED 27 September: The VFBV Annual General Meeting has voted unanimously to adopt proposed changes that remove urban and rural brigade distinctions from the association’s constitution.
The voting on 11 proposals followed extensive consultation with District Councils - see below to download the discussion paper that preceded the vote.
The changes include;
- An addition to VFBV’s Statement of Purpose; ‘To maintain and pursue a balanced focus on issues affecting CFA volunteers across all brigades from all risk profiles.’
- Abolishing the titles of Vice President Rural and Vice President Urban, replacing those positions with two State Council ex-officio Board Members elected by State Council each year
- Changing the titles of the VFBV President and Vice President to State President and State Vice President, to end any potential confusion with the titles of District Council officials
- Replacing the State Council Urban and Rural subcommittees with special purpose committees
You can download a copy of the VFBV Constitution, amended 15 September 2013, here.
Simplifying VFBV Structure and Rules
SIMPLIFYING VFBV STRUCTURE AND RULES
VFBV is moving towards removing urban and rural brigade distinctions from its constitution – see below to download the discussion paper.
The discussion papers outlines the background, the need to make a change and the options being considered. It also includes a feedback form that can be emailed, mailed or faxed to the VFBV office.
The need to change our constitution:
- This is part of the process that began with the forming of VFBV from the old urban and rural associations
- CFA is moving from urban and rural brigade classifications to a system of risk based brigade classifications more relevant to modern community needs
Please download the discussion paper below to see the options. You can make your opinions known by returning the feedback form included in the paper, or by taking part in discussion at your District Council.
VFBV Publications
This page is a resource for volunteers, with a wide range of useful documents for download, including;
- VFBV Annual Reports
- VFBV Notes for Members and News Notes for MPs, explaining major issues like fleet funding, presumptive legislation – the firefighters’ cancer law – and volunteer concerns over industrial interference in CFA
- Reports and data analysis from the annual VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey
- The CFA Volunteer Charter
- The VFBV Volunteer Welfare Fund Brochure
- The VFBV Constitution
- The Volunteer Code of Conduct
- The VFBV Brigade Delegate pack, containing useful information and resources for volunteers representing their Brigades at VFBV District Council meetings
To find VFBV's monthly newsletter, our Page 2 column in FireWise, click here.
File not found!
Collapse All
Expand All
Older Documents
Our Structure
Structure
The diagram below illustrates the overall structure of VFBV and process links between key VFBV forums plus the links and inputs to decision making levels of CFA Management. In simplest terms the roles of the three levels can be described as follows:
Board – Governance, strategic direction, policy and oversight;
State Council – is the operating level, key advisory forum and State wide representation;
District Councils – allow local level input and the local operating level
The VFBV CEO and staff secretariat provide overall coordination, management, advice and support to the Association at each level.
You can download a copy of the VFBV Constitution at the bottom of this page.
The roles of the three key levels of VFBV are:
Role of VFBV Board
- Governing body, responsible and accountable for the control of the business affairs, performance and governance of the Association;
- Determine policy and direction for the Association;
- Determine VFBV policy on matters referred by CEO or State Council;
- Appoint the CEO and monitor the CEO’s performance;
- Ensure the VFBV’s financial affairs are effectively managed and controlled;
- Ensure adherence to the Association’s Statement of Purposes;
- Ensure internal communication and consultative processes effectively engage membership;
Role of VFBV State Council
- Provide a forum for expression of views from Regional Councils and ensure issues raised by Regional Councils are addressed in a timely and satisfactory manner;
- Consider matters referred to it by VFBV Board and CEO and make recommendations on action to be taken;
- Elect State Council Executive Committee;
- Select representatives to VFBV/CFA Joint Committees;
- Manage process for selection of VFBV Board members;
- Make recommendation to VFBV Board for CFA Board nominations;
- Provide guidance to VFBV representatives on CFA/VFBV Joint Committees and be a conduit between VFBV Board and Regional Councils;
- Advise VFBV Board on the business affairs of the Association.
Role of District Councils
- Provide a forum for affiliated brigades to express volunteer concerns/views;
- Help brigades resolve matters of concern at local level;
- Provide volunteer leadership and represent volunteers at CFA Regional level;
- Provide a conduit for communication and information flow between VFBV Board, State Council and brigades;
- Refer matters that cannot be resolved at local level to VFBV State Council or CEO.
