| We currently have
three Committees (Audit, Remuneration and Nominations &
Training) which report to the Board, and which are serviced
by senior members of staff.
As well as these Committees, members of the
Board participate in panels/groups formed to continually improve
the services and standards of the Association. These groups
include:
- Service Improvement Panel
- Anti-Social Behaviour Implementation Group
- People Performance and Pay Review Group
- Equal Opportunities Project Group
- Procurement Group
In addition, some Board members take a special
interest in an area of the Association's work, a 'portfolio'
(either Finance, Asset Management, Housing Management or Supported
Housing) where Board members take guidance from specific staff
members to learn about and/or increase their knowledge of
the specific subject matter they are studying.
All Board members provide their services to
the Association on a voluntary basis and are unpaid.
The whole Board of Management meets eight times
per year and attends to seminars in addition to this.
How can you become a member of Connect Housing?
Anyone is welcome to apply for Membership of
the Association providing they support the Association's aims
and ethos. Members of the Association (sometimes referred
to as Shareholders) are responsible for electing the Association's
Board of Management which, in turn, is responsible for ensuring
the effective management of the Association. The Board appoints
the Chair of the Association and a number of Committees to
assist the Board in its work.
All members are invited to the Association's
Annual General Meeting, held in September each year. Members
are eligible to vote at the AGM in elections for the Board
of Management, and on any other matters where decisions are
made by the membership. If members wish to play a more active
role in the Association, they can stand for election to the
Board of Management or take part in one of the Association's
Committees.
The Association is keen to increase the number
of Members of the Association and welcomes applications from
those who support our aims and wish to contribute to our work.
This will include those for whom the Association's work is
of direct concern (e.g. tenants of the Association), those
living in communities where we provide housing and those with
particular professional skills, which will assist in the management
of the Association.
Connect Housing values the diversity of communities
where we work and aims to have a membership that reflects
this. We are currently under represented by people from the
black and minority ethnic communities and encourage applications
from these and other minority groups. The Association particularly
welcomes applications from those who can assist us in the
delivery of our Equal Opportunities Policy.
Members provide their services to the Association
on a voluntary basis and are unpaid.
If you are interested in being a member, please
contact Corporate Services by clicking here. |
How does Connect Housing
work to ensure equal opportunities throughout its activities?
Connect Housing - Homes, Communications, Cultures is committed
to an Equal Opportunities Policy in all areas of its work.
In society, equality of access is not enjoyed
by all individuals. Whether through active discrimination
or through unintentionally prejudicial systems, procedures
and conditions, discrimination affects most those who have
the least power or control over their circumstances.
In providing housing services, in the employment
of staff, in the Membership of the Association and in the
awarding of contracts we will work to ensure equality of opportunity
and treatment for everyone. This means that:
The Association will ensure equality of opportunity
and treatment for each person or group of persons without
regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion,
creed, age, sex, sexuality, HIV status, physical or mental
disability, and marital status.
We will actively work:
- to establish close relationships with people from disadvantaged
and minority groups to help us to identify their needs
in our areas of work;
- to ensure that people from disadvantaged and minority
groups benefit from our work.
We will act positively to recruit staff at all
levels from disadvantaged or minority groups. We will provide
training to achieve this aim where necessary.
We will collect information and monitor records
of the ethnic origin, age, gender and disability of all those
applying for housing, for jobs and for those applying to become
Members of the Association. We will carry out an annual Equal
Opportunities Audit analysing our progress.
We will ensure equality of opportunity for all
those who provide services to the Association (e.g. building
contractors, consultants etc.).
We will ensure that all those with whom we have
dealings are aware of our commitment to Equal Opportunities.
The Association's commitment to Equal Opportunities
will be reflected in the operation and composition of our
Board of Management and Committees.
All Members of the Association, members of the
Board of Management and staff have a personal responsibility
for adhering to and promoting the Equal Opportunities Policy.
In all areas of its work, the Association will
take action against individuals, groups or organisations that
are involved in discriminatory practices or any form of harassment.
This action may include eviction, termination of employment
or termination of Membership of the Association.
The Chief Executive has the responsibility for
the implementation of the Association's Equal Opportunities
Policy.
If you need further information about any of
the above, please contact Corporate Services by clicking here.
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