Terms of reference
The objectives of the Victorian Public Sector (VPS) LGBTIQA+ Pride Network (the Network) are to:
- connect LGBTIQA+ staff and allies through professional and social networking opportunities.
- build LGBTIQA+ and ally staff networks and support organisational human resources capability to embed LGBTIQA+ diversity in practice across the Victorian Public Sector
- raise awareness about the specific challenges and experiences LGBTIQA+ staff have at work
- create communication channel into the Office of the Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, the Equality Branch and the VPSC
- promote inclusion to make the Victorian Public Sector a safe place for LGBTIQA+ staff to be who they are, and aim to create a safe space for all LGBTIQA+ identifying VPS staff.
Victorian Public Sector
Any reference to the Victorian Public Sector shall include all public service bodies and public entities, as described by the Victorian Public Sector Commission(opens in a new window).
Operations
The Operations Team shall take actions as necessary to implement the resolutions of the Council and shall manage the day-to-day affairs of the Network, including (but not limited to) communications campaigns (including email marketing, Innovation Network maintenance and Sharepoint maintenance), events organisation and support (including the biannual Pride Awards, Midsumma Pride March, days of significance and social events), and administrative duties involved with the operation of the Network.
Membership of the Operations Team shall include chairperson, secretary, and portfolio leads for communications and event from within the Victorian Public Sector.
Operations Team role terms
Each role will hold a term of two years, enabling new incoming Operations Team members sufficient time to excel in their respective roles and enact change where required.
Operations Team members can hold their role for no longer than two terms (equivalent to four years) to ensure ample opportunity for prospective members to self-nominate and be elected into a role.
If a member of the Operations Team is unable to fulfill the full term of their position, an EOI will be distributed to council for volunteers to fill the vacant position, with a two-week period for council members to express their interest in the role. Should there be no volunteers, an EOI will be distributed to the broader VPS LGBTIQA+ Pride Network membership to fill the vacant position, with a two-week period for members to express their interest in the role. If there are more applicants than available positions for each respective role, council members will vote for their preferred applicant.
Council
The Council shall be the governing body of the Network and also operate as a community of practice to facilitate collaboration between departments/agencies and to share best practice. The Council shall meet four times a year in a formal capacity, but ad-hoc meetings can be facilitated as required.
Membership shall include:
- an executive member of each departmental/agency Pride Network (or leading representative), or employee representative where there is no Pride Network in that department/agency
- a representative from Equality Branch in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- a representative from Workforce and Engagement Branch in the Victorian Public Sector Commission
- a representative from GenSHED.
The Council, with advice from Operations, may appoint members to lead Ad Hoc committees. The Ad Hoc Committee will be given a specific task to achieve within a specific timeframe and shall report to the Operations Team and Council as required. Once the task has been achieved the Ad Hoc Committee will disband.
Executive Sponsor
The Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities shall act as executive sponsor and shall provide high level support and advice to the Network and GenSHED. This includes:
- leading work to support the objectives of the Network within the Victorian Public Sector
- meeting with representatives of the network quarterly.
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