CHANGE NEWS

Freemasons Victoria

6 AUGUST, 2021

Interim GovernanceModel For Member

Endorsement

■ The Change Manage-ment Steering Committeeis proud to present anInterim Governance Modelfor endorsement by themembership of Freema-sons Victoria.■ The membership ofFreemasons Victoria has aunique opportunity to bepart of the journey inreshaping the future ofgovernance of the Craft.■ The proposed InterimGovernance Model isrecommended as a logicalfirst step to reflect theneeds of a modern mem-ber-based organisationwhile the process of longerterm constitutional changeis addressed over theremainder of 2021 andduring 2022.■ Your input, feedback andideas are encouragedbefore a model is put forratification on 1 September.■ I look forward to yourongoing involvement.

Fraternal regards

Robert Brennand

Chair.

Change Management

Steering Committee

VWBro. Robert Brennand

Your opportunityto vote on Sept. 1

■ The vote is for FreemasonsVictoria members to ratify aninterim governance model.

Longer term constitutionalchange is addressed andmanaged over 2021 andduring 2022.■ The 1 September voterequires a simple majority toratify the model as it is not avote on constitutionalchange.■ Formal notice of motion isnot required as no constitu-tional changes are proposedat this stage.■ The proposed InterimGovernance Model waspresented at the July 2021Quarterly Communication.■ All Freemasons acrossVictoria will have the opportu-nity to vote on an InterimGovernance Model at a spe-cial Grand Lodge meetingscheduled for Wednesday, 1September.■ Members will be able tovote online at centres acrossVictoria, or online from theirown computer. Voting ar-rangements are being madefor members who do nothave email.

Why an InterimGovernance

Model?

■ Following the EthicsCentre Report in Decem-ber 2020, it was recognisedthat the governanceframework of FreemasonsVictoria needs to bemodernised to meet theneeds of a 21st Centurymember-basedorganisation.

■ It was further recognisedthat the complexities andconsultation for detailedconstitutional change isestimated to be a 12-monthprocess while constitu-tional models are consid-ered and there is an ongo-ing process for memberinvolvement.

■ Masonic and Commer-cial operations need tocontinue to function effec-tively and meet the needsof members while longerterm constitutional changeis considered.

■ There are risks to theorganisation and themembership if Masonicand Commercial opera-tions do not evolve to meetcurrent needs and require-ments, hence the proposalfor an interim governancemodel.

Authorised by RWor. Bro. Garry Runge OAM JP, Grand Secretary, Freemasons Victoria.

KEY FACTS

CHANGE NEWS6 AUGUST, 2021 - PAGE 2

■ An interim governancemodel is proposed to be inplace from December thisyear to December 2022.■ The key principle is thatcommercial services areseparated from Masonicservices into a CommercialCouncil and Masonic Councilrespectively.

Commercial Council■ The Commercial Council isproposed to have responsibil-ity for commercial operationsincluding finance / invest-ments, property and informa-tion technology. The FinanceCommittee and a proposednewly formed Property Com-mittee will report into theCommercial Council.■ The Commercial Council isproposed to comprise threeindependent and three non-chained Masonic members.Whether independent orMasonic, the members of theCommercial Council must beappropriately qualified andmeet defined selection crite-ria.

To ensure independence, anexternal professional servicesagency would be utilised to as-sess and recommend both in-dependent and Masonic appli-cations. The selected candi-dates will be presented tomembers for the purposes ofelecting those to join the Com-mercial Council.

Masonic Council■ The Masonic Council isproposed to have responsibil-ity for membership matters,ritual and ceremonial matters,Masonic knowledge and

Explained: the proposedinterim governance model

oversight of Volunteer ActionTeams.■ It is proposed that theDeputy Grand Master chairsthe Masonic Council with fiveother members elected bythe membership.

Oversightand Accountability

■ The Grand Master (andDeputy Grand Master in hisabsence) is a non-votingobserver at both the Com-mercial Council and theMasonic Council.■ Similarly, it is proposed thatthe Grand Treasurer and theGrand Registrar can be in-vited to attend either Council.■ As a right of review process,the Grand Master can refermatters from either Councilfor endorsement by themembership - emphasised bydeliberately having the mem-bership at the top of theorganisation structure.■ Freemasons Victoria Hold-ings Ltd will act as the legalentity to lawfully executerecommendations and con-tracts referred from either theCommercial Council or Ma-sonic Council. The companydirectors are currently theGrand Master, the DeputyGrand Master and the PastPresident of the Board ofGeneral Purposes.■ The Risk & Audit Commit-tee also continues to have arole in providing independentoversight and advice on risks,systems of internal controland insurances across boththe Masonic Council and theCommercial Council, as wellas oversight of the externalaudit of the UGLV accounts.

Key stepsand dates

■ Friday, 6 August:Change News announce-ment - members encour-aged to provide commentand feedback on theInterim Governance Model.■ Friday, 13 August:Deadline for feedback andcomments from membersto be received by theChange ManagementSteering Committee.Feedback to be directed tochange@freemasonsvic.net.au■ Monday, 23 August:Revised Interim Gover-nance Model reflectingfeedback considered isdistributed to members.■ Sunday, 29 August:Special Grand LodgeMeeting for members todiscuss the Interim Gover-nance Model and heararguments for and againstits ratification by the mem-bership. Call off.■ Wednesday, 1 Septem-ber: Call on. Special GrandLodge Meeting for mem-bers to ratify the InterimGovernance Model

CHANGE NEWS6 AUGUST, 2021 - PAGE 3

Interim governance model:the next steps ahead

■ Qualifications and criteria will be estab-lished for members of the CommercialCouncil and arrangements made to assesscandidates to be put forward for election.

■ It is proposed that members of both theCommercial Council and the Masonic Coun-cil be elected by the membership using aformal ballot in open Lodge.

■ Relevant charters, terms of references andservice level agreements will also be estab-lished for both Councils.

Longer-Term Constitutional Change■ It is recognised that longer-term constitu-tional change for permanent governancearrangements is the ultimate goal.

■ The Change Management Steering Com-mittee is preparing a 12-month roadmap formanaging this process.

■ We will continue to encourage and facili-tate member involvement during this pro-cess.

■ The basic governance principles thatthe Change Management SteeringCommittee have adopted in the interimmodel have been generated from:

■ The recommendations made from theEthics Centre Report.

■ Feedback received from the memberforums in February this year;

■ Feedback from the specific gover-nance forum that was held in May thisyear.

Genesis of theInterim Governance Model