Senses Foundation changes its constitution
A New Constitution for Senses Foundation!
At its Annual General Meeting on 13th October, the members of Senses Foundation voted to change Senses Foundation’s constitution in line with the recommendations made to them by the organisation’s Board.
The changes will mean better corporate governance of the organisation, an organisation whose values and principles were embodied within its governing structure, and better outcomes for clients.
In her introduction to the changes at the Annual General Meeting, the Chief Executive Officer Debbie Karasinski, suggested that there were three major changes to the constitution.
1. Disability has been defined in the new constitution
Disability was not defined in the old constitution. The new constitution now contains the following definition.
“Disability” means any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. The Disability Services Act (1993) defines “disability” as meaning a disability:
- which is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments;
- which is permanent or likely to be permanent;
- which may or may not be of a chronic or episodic nature; and
- which results in substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and a need for continuing support services.
And specifically includes the disability of being Deafblind.
2. A Statement of Governing Principles for the organisation has been included
The old constitution did not contain any statement of the governing principles as a guide to the Senses Foundation as a provider of services to people with disabilities, and to make us fundamentally different from “not for profit” organisations like tennis clubs etc. The new constitution has the following governing principles.
Senses Foundation believes that each person with a disability is unique and a person of value and is entitled to the same rights and privileges as other Australian citizens. Senses Foundation is committed to ensuring that all clients have the opportunity to develop and maintain skills and the opportunity to participate in activities that enable them to achieve valued roles in the community. They may have needs for additional support and education to enable them to fully exercise those rights and responsibilities. Senses Foundation agrees with the principles and objectives of the Disability Services Act 1986.
Senses Foundation acknowledges the right of each person with a disability to be a valued member of the community and will encourage its clients to be active participants in their community, to access community facilities and contribute to community life.
Senses Foundation is committed to ensuring all clients retain maximum control over their own lives by having primary involvement in, and influence over, decisions that affect them.
Senses Foundation is committed to ensuring all clients receive services that are designed and delivered around their individual circumstances, needs and preferences by employees who are properly trained and supervised.
Senses Foundation is committed to excellence, to continuous improvement, to the use of contemporary practices and to innovation in its governance and management of the organisation as a whole and in the provision of services to its clients.
3. The Objects have been changed to enable the provision of services to people with any disability.
The objects in the old constitution focused entirely on people who were blind, deafblind or multi sensory impaired. When Senses Foundation was created in 2001, it was also providing services to people with disabilities who were NOT blind, deafblind or multi sensory impaired and it has continued to do so. The reasons for this are varied but relate to the fact that Senses Foundation provides its services in the best interests of its clients and sometimes this includes involving people with a variety of disabilities. Senses Foundation has always provided services to people with disabilities including unique services for people who are deafblind, and it continues to do so. The objects of the new constitution include people with disabilities and properly reflect how Senses Foundation has always provided its services.
The Objects for which Senses Foundation is established are to:-
Pursue charitable purposes only and apply its income solely to promoting those purposes.
Enable people with disabilities to meet their needs and aspirations and to achieve and maintain a valued quality of life as part of an accepting community and society.
Provide or arranges a range of services and other facilities and opportunities and support and enhance the requirements of people with disabilities.
Collect, collate and disseminate information to further and better promote the Objects.
Undertake and foster research so as to improve the services and facilities provided by Senses Foundation to people with disabilities.
Advocate within the community to encourage an inclusive, and accepting community and society for people with disabilities.
Develop, construct and otherwise maintain appropriate facilities for people with disabilities and the staff and volunteers who are employed by Senses Foundation.
Generates income to support the Objects.
The property and income of Senses Foundation must be applied solely towards the promotion of the Objects and no part of that property or income may be paid or otherwise distributed directly or indirectly, to members, except in good faith in promotion of these objects.
Further Changes
The new constitution contains a number of substantive changes from its predecessor.
Click here to go to the summary of the changes prepared by the Chief Executive Officer.
