Board Secretary (Voluntary)

• Volunteer Commitment: Approximately 8-12 hours per month, including monthly Board meeting, fortnightly Executive Committee meetings, regular correspondence, and occasional planning sessions.
• Location: Melbourne-based, with full online and video meeting participation available.
• Remuneration: Volunteer position (role-related expenses can be reimbursed).
• Term: Appointed until each AGM; stands for renomination annually. Anticipated service across multiple terms for stability.

About Transgender Victoria  

Transgender Victoria (TGV) is Australia’s leading body for transgender, gender diverse and  non-binary (TGD) people. For 25 years, TGV has been a trusted, trans-led organisation  delivering vital community services, advocacy, training, and systems change across  Victoria and nationally.

TGV stands at a historic turning point. As demand for community support grows and public  attention intensifies, TGV’s role as a steady, credible, and community-anchored  organisation has never been more important. The organisation is strengthening its  governance, expanding its programs, and positioning itself for the next phase of  sustainable, trans-led leadership. 

TGV represents and elevates trans and gender diverse voices across community, health,  education, government, business, and civil society. Our work is grounded in lived  experience, community leadership, and the belief that all trans and gender diverse people  should have the opportunity to thrive. 

Purpose

To work for, with, and by transgender, gender diverse and non-binary communities to  achieve better social, economic and health outcomes.

Vision

Transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people are welcomed, valued and celebrated  as we thrive.  

Values

TGV’s four core values are the foundation of all governance, operational, and community facing work. They guide the behaviour of the Board, CEO, staff, volunteers and advisory bodies, and ensure TGV remains a safe, grounded, and community-led organisation. 

• Care - We care for community with compassion  
• Connect - We connect the dots between TGD people, our communities, and the organisations that support us.  
• Empower - We empower all TGC people, especially at our intersections and on  the margins.  
• Celebrate - We celebrate our diversity and living our best lives.

Secretary Role Purpose

The Secretary plays a pivotal role in the smooth and compliant operation of Transgender Victoria (TGV) by providing essential administrative and governance support. This position is responsible for the management of official documentation and records, ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, and facilitating clear, effective communication between the Board, staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders. By maintaining organisational standards and assisting with critical governance processes, the Secretary directly contributes to TGV's commitment to good governance, transparency, and the advancement of its mission for trans and gender diverse advocacy.

About the Secretary Role

The Secretary is an office bearer of the TGV Board (Committee of Management) and holds a central role in ensuring the organisation’s administrative integrity, regulatory compliance, and governance efficiency. While operational staff manage day-to-day administrative tasks, the Secretary provides essential administrative and governance support to ensure smooth and compliant Board operations. The Secretary supports the Board to meet its legal and operational responsibilities, ensuring that Directors have the accurate documentation, context, and structural processes required to make informed decisions that advance TGV’s purpose and safeguard its transparency.

The Secretary’s core responsibilities include:

• Managing official documentation, Board records, and correspondence, including organizing calendars and writing Board minutes.
• Overseeing compliance with statutory, legal, and regulatory reporting requirements, such as reporting to the ACNC and relevant state bodies.
• Facilitating clear, effective communication between the Board, CEO, staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
• Maintaining organisational standards and assisting with critical governance processes to uphold good governance and transparency.
• Ensuring Board governance aligns with TGV’s Constitution, Board Charter, and relevant governing legislation for incorporated associations.
• Assisting the Board to review papers, track governance requirements, and monitor broad organizational risks.
• Ensuring that administrative governance aligns with TGV’s values and supports responsible, community-led stewardship.

The Secretary also sits on the Transgender Victoria Executive Committee, contributing to fortnightly operational oversight through a governance lens.

Standard Board Criteria

• Experience in leadership of a governance body - such as community groups, advisory groups, volunteer committees, or governance groups.
• Experience in organising calendars, writing minutes and reporting to regulatory bodies such as the ACNC.
• Ability to write and review Board papers, engage thoughtfully with information presented, and contribute constructively to discussions and decisions.
• Expertise in one or more of not-for-profit governance, fiduciary, legal and/or ethical duties including ACNC and relevant state body requirements. 
• Ability to think beyond immediate issues, consider longer-term implications, and participate in discussions about organisational direction and priorities.
• Awareness of organisational risk in a broad sense—financial, reputational, cultural, community and operational—and willingness to engage in risk governance with support from the Board and CEO.
• Capacity to recognise when additional information, expertise or clarification is needed to make well-informed decisions.
• Experience in not-for-profit finance, accounting, philanthropy, or community-sector resourcing.
• Understanding of, or demonstrated commitment to learning about, trans and gender diverse communities and the systemic issues affecting TGD people. 
• Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with Directors, the CEO, community members and partners.
• Capacity to navigate complexity, offer practical insights, and support collaborative problem-solving.

Additional Criteria for the Secretary Role

• Strong administrative and governance literacy, including the ability to draft clear, accurate meeting minutes, manage official records, and coordinate Board documentation.
• Proficiency with digital tools and administrative systems, specifically Google Workspace and CRM/database platforms (such as Keela), to support efficient documentation, record-keeping, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience contributing to or managing governance or administrative processes in an organisational, community, or professional context.
• Understanding of compliance obligations, record-keeping standards, and governance frameworks under relevant state and federal bodies (such as the ACNC and incorporated associations legislation)—or willingness to develop this capability with support.

Desirable Criteria

• Lived experience as a member of the TGD community, or a demonstrated history of supporting TGD communities.
• Lived experience as a First Nations and/or Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islander person, Person of Colour, Intersex, neurodivergent, or disabled person.
• Networks or relationships that may support TGV’s work across the LGBTQIA+ sector, government, community services or allied fields.
• Experience helping/leading the strengthening of governance, strategy or organisational capability.
• Qualifications such as those from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Centre for Social Impact, or another similar org will be looked on favourably.

These are baseline eligibility requirements for board members

• Must be aged 18+.
• Obtain a Working With Children Check.
• Eligibility to serve under relevant legislation governing incorporated associations and directors.
• Capacity to attend monthly Board meetings, fortnightly Executive Committee meetings and other required governance activities and community events (virtually and, on occasion, in person)
• Capacity to comply with TGV’s Constitution, Board Charter and governance policies.
• Commitment to TGV’s purpose, values, and community-led ethos.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter via the "Apply Now" button, outlining why you’d like to join Transgender Victoria’s Board.

Key Contact

If you have any questions, please email Jacob Thomas at jacob@tgv.org.au using the subject line: Board Secretary (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.