[Organisation name] 

[Group name] 

Terms of Reference 

Background 

[This section should include background information on the why the local government working group was formed, and also a brief discussion on the types of initiatives the group will lead.] 

Roles and responsibilities 

The [local government working group] will have the following roles and responsibilities: 

• provide strategic leadership in the development, implementation and sustainability of programs and strategies 
• provide advice, support and assistance in the implementation of the program 
• assist in the promotion of a culture of [gender equality – as an example] in [insert organisation name] 
• monitor identified and emerging risks and advise on their prevention, mitigation and management 
• recognise barriers and enablers to [gender equality] within the workplace, and assist in developing initiatives to address these 
• monitor the program budget and expenditure 
• contribute to development of a communications plan to support staff / community engagement with the program 
• [insert any additional roles/functions as necessary]. 

The role of the individual members of the [local government working group] will include: 

• attending regular meetings as required [x per year] and participating in the group’s work 
• representing the interests of all [insert organisation name] employees, as appropriate 

• demonstrating a genuine interest in the initiatives and the outcomes being pursued in the program 
• being an advocate for the program’s outcomes 
• being committed to, and actively involved in, pursuing the program’s outcomes, and 
• [insert any additional roles as necessary]. 

Membership 

The [local government working group] will comprise: [list of member names and titles, if necessary]. 

Additional members may be included in the group as required. 

Chair/Convenor 

The group will be chaired by [insert name/title of Group Chair]. Meetings will be convened by the Chair and supported by the Coordinator, [insert name/title of Group Coordinator]. 

Agenda items 

All agenda items will be forwarded to the Coordinator by close of business ten working days [adjust as appropriate] prior to the next scheduled meeting. 

The agenda, with attached meeting papers, will be distributed at least five working days [adjust as appropriate] prior to the next scheduled meeting. 

Minutes and meeting papers 

The minutes of each [insert organisation name] [group name] meeting will be prepared by [insert name here]. 

Full copies of the minutes, including attachments, will be provided to all [insert organisation name]. [group name] members no later than five working days [adjust as appropriate] following each meeting. 

By agreement of the group, out-of-session decisions will be deemed acceptable. Where agreed, all out-of-session decisions will be recorded in the minutes of the next scheduled meeting [delete or adjust as appropriate]. 

Frequency of meetings 

The [insert organisation name} {group name} will meet {insert agreed frequency]. 

Proxies to meetings 

[Delete statements as appropriate] 

Members of the [insert organisation name] [group name] will nominate a proxy to attend a meeting if the member is unable to attend. 

The Chair will be informed of the substitution at least five working days [adjust as appropriate] prior to the scheduled nominated meeting. 

The nominated proxy will provide relevant comments/feedback about the attended meeting to the [insert organisation name] [group name] member they are representing. 

Quorum requirements 

A quorum will be half the regular membership plus one [adjust as necessary]. 

Review 

The effectiveness and membership of the [insert organisation name] [group name] will be reviewed after [x] months.