A1; Elected Officials

1. PURPOSE 

To provide a transparent framework for the roles, responsibilities, deliverables and compensation for the President, Vice President, and Commodity Policy Council Presidents appointed in accordance with the VFF Constitution. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The VFF is a representative organisation committed to advocating for the interests of Victorian farmers. Elected officials play a crucial role in leading and representing the farming community, both at a broader level and within specific commodity sectors. This policy ensures a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. 

3. POLICY

3.1. DEFINTIONS

3.1.1. President: The elected leader of the VFF responsible for overseeing the overall operations and representing the VFF to external stakeholders. 

3.1.2. Vice President: The elected official who supports the President and assumes their duties in their absence. 

3.1.3. Commodity Policy Council (CPC) Presidents: Elected officials responsible for representing specific commodity sectors within the VFF, including as chicken meat, dairy, eggs, grains, horticulture, livestock, and pig member groups. 

3.1.4. Issues Advisory Committee (IAC) Chairs: Chairs of each IAC as appointed by the Policy Council to lead on specific cross commodity policy and advocacy matters. 

3.1.5. This policy does not apply to Branches. 

3.2. RESPONSIBILITIES

3.2.1. President

3.2.1.1. Represent the VFF at external events, meetings, and negotiations. 

3.2.1.2. Collaborate with the Vice President, CPC Presidents, IAC Chairs, the CEO and Policy and Advocacy staff on policy and advocacy initiatives. 

3.2.1.3. Provide regular updates to the VFF membership. 

3.2.2. Vice President 

– Support the President in their duties and assume their responsibilities when necessary. 

– Collaborate with the President, CPC Presidents, IAC Chairs, the CEO and Policy and Advocacy staff on policy and advocacy initiatives. 

– Assist in the development and execution of VFF policies. 

3.2.2 CPC Presidents 

– Represent the interests of their respective commodity sectors within the VFF. 

– Work with the President and Vice President to advocate for sector-specific policies. 

– Communicate with their respective sector members to gather feedback and concerns. 

3.2.3 IAC Chairs 

– Represent the interests of their respective IAC within the VFF. 

– Collaborate with the President, CPC Presidents, IAC Chairs, the CEO and Policy and Advocacy staff on cross industry specific policy and advocacy initiatives. 

– Communicate with members to gather feedback about cross industry specific issues. 

3.3 DELIVERABLES

3.3.2 The President is contracted to deliver the accountabilities and duties of the role statement. 

3.3.3 The Vice President is contracted to deliver the accountabilities and duties of the role statement. 

3.3.4 CPC Presidents and IAC Chairs are contracted to deliver the accountabilities and duties of the role statement with and the following minimum deliverables; 

– Four Policy Council meetings (six days) 

– Four CPC or IAC meetings (six days) 

– Four national meetings (six days) 

– Four commodity or issue events (six days) 

– Four government meetings (six days) 

– Media and enquiries (six days) 

3.4 COMPENSATION 

3.4.1 Elected officials are allocated compensation in accordance with this clause. 

3.4.2 Compensation is subject to an annual review and adjustment based on the VFF’s financial performance.  

3.4.3 Elected officials are considered contractors with regard to employment conditions and following confirmation of election are appointed using a VFF services contact. 

3.4.4 Compensation is to provide financial support for the costs of elected officials as they dedicate their time and effort to fulfill their roles effectively. 

3.4.5 Compensation does not imply employment by the VFF, nor is it considered renumeration. 

3.4.6 Presidents and Chairs may occupy multiple roles defined by this policy but are only eligible for one allocation of compensation. 

3.4.7 CPC Presidents and IAC Chairs that receive allocated compensation under this policy are eligible to receive a Director Fee under Policy G2: Board Charter. 

3.4.8 CPC Presidents and IAC Chairs are not eligible to receive compensation for delivery of activities above the minimum prescribed in clause 3.3.4. 

3.4.9 VFF President as Chair of Policy Council compensation: $60,000 p.a. 

3.4.10 Vice President as Chair of Policy Council compensation: $25,000 p.a. 

3.4.11 CPC President compensation for each of Dairy, Grains, Horticulture and Livestock: $15,000 p.a. 

3.4.12 CPC President compensation for each of Chicken meat, Eggs and Pigs: $5,000 p.a. 

3.4.13 IAC Chair compensation: $15,000 p.a. 

3.5 EXPENSES 

3.5.1 Elected officials are entitled to claim business expenses in accordance with this clause. 

3.5.2 Expense budgets are subject to an annual review and adjustment based on the VFF’s financial performance. 

3.5.3 Expenses are provided to facilitate participation in formal VFF activities. Expenses are not intended to pay for members to attend networking activities. 

3.5.3 Reconciliation of business expenses must occur in accordance with Policy C2: Expense claim reimbursement and Policy G7 Delegations of Authority. 

3.5.4 The President is entitled to an expenses allowance of $40,000 p.a. 

3.5.5 The Vice President is able to claim to expenses of up to $5,000 p.a. 

3.5.6 CPC Presidents and IAC Chairs are able to claim expenses up to and within the budget allocated to the CPC or IAC. 

3.5.7 The expenses budget allocated to each of the Dairy, Grains, Horticulture and Livestock CPC’s is $10,000 p.a. 

3.5.8 The expenses budget allocated to each of the Chicken meat, Eggs and Pigs CPC is $3,333 p.a. 

3.5.9 The expenses budget allocated to each of the IAC’s is $10,000 p.a. 

3.5.10 The CPC and IAC may apply to the CEO for transfer of allocated budget between CPC President and IAC Chair compensation and the relevant expenses budget. 

3.6 POLICY REVIEW 

3.6.1 This policy will be reviewed by the Risk, Audit & Finance Committee to ensure that it remains relevant and effective in promoting responsible financial management and accountability. 

3.6.2 Suggested changes to this policy are to be referred to the Governance and Strategy Committee. 

4 ACCOUNTABILITY 

VFF Chair 

VFF CEO