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PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE 
Hello Everyone
I have recently been appointed President of the Board of Directors of FRANS, having served as Secretary of the Board and Board Member since 1996.
As a parent, I have experienced first-hand the commitment and dedication of the FRANS staff who live up to the FRANS motto of “making things happen for people with disabilities’.
Although progress has been made in reducing the waiting list for FRANS services, I am aware that there is still unmet demand in providing support to families, carers and people with disabilities in the inner-west. Assisting with fundraising activities and raising the profile of FRANS with community organizations will be one of my priorities during my term as President.
FRANS has for many years, and will undoubtedly continue, to face many challenges in obtaining the resources necessary to provide the services and support that are so badly needed by participants and their families/carers. While we have had much success in raising additional income in the past several years, there is still a great deal of work necessary in order to fund the quality and availability of services which are so much in demand.
A strong Board consisting of people with diverse backgrounds and experience is essential to an organization such as FRANS to achieve the revenue targets required. The Constitution allows for up to thirteen non-executive directors to be elected to the board, and we are always happy to hear from people who would like to contribute in this way.
I see my role of President as working with the other Board Members to give direction and support to the General Manager and the FRANS team to carry out our vision of making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. I also see it as forming strobg relationships with the government, our supporters and the community who continue to facilitate our work though financial and other support.
I very much look forward to working closely with the FRANS Staff and the participants and families /carers in the coming years.
Sincerely
ELISABETH MCEWEN
PRESIDENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
FRANS has been committed to supporting people with a disability and their families/carers for 23 years and will continue to do so well into the future. Playing a key role in the lives of many of those who require support, FRANS has delivered a wide array of programs over the years and will continue to change and expand as necessary in order to meet the ever increasing and changing needs of people with a disability. Between 75-85 per cent of all contributions received by the organisation, including those from government, go directly to its participants and families, providing anything from one to one respite, community access, financial assistance to pay essential bills, social skill training and independence enhancement. |
While it seems many believe that support for people with a disability may not be a pressing issue for the community as it is amply covered by the government and remains somewhat invisible, the truth is that the challenges are far from over for our participants and their families/carers with adequate resources for service providers rarely achieved..
The nature of disability support is now significantly different from its treatment in earlier days. Today, due to the de-institutionalisation of care and the promotion of support to be provided in the community, in most cases more productive and fulfilling lives are enjoyed by people with a disability as a result. Whilst this is clearly encouraging, many individuals with disabilities and their families remain unprepared for what this means financially or emotionally. The strain on family income, increased costs associated with care, health issue management and the isolation associated with disability all result in very stressful and difficult to manage situations.
Creating and managing a sustainable lifestyle is something many people with a disability seek assistance with – and this is where the role of FRANS, among other organisations, comes into play. A vital part of this responsibility is to continually review and respond to the needs of individuals, taking a holistic approach to determine how best to support them and their families/carers using a person centered approach and on an ongoing basis.
FRANS regularly reviews its support and service programs in order to meet participant and family/carer ever changing needs and to ensure that it is providing the best assistance and support possible.
FRANS is a well established organisation that is keen to ensure that, as required, it will be in the position of providing support long into the future. It is therefore important that FRANS is sustainable itself in order that it can continue working with its people with a disability and their families/carers to ensure their sustainability.
By introducing some changes to our services, FRANS seeks to be more participant or family/carer focused, deliver improved service with access to simple guidelines and more staff, and provide greater transparency to the people and organisations who financially support FRANS .
FRANS uses a consultative approach to determine the optimal provision of its support and services to all our service users, both new and existing. This will ensure that they will receive confidential, holistic, and a more personalised service, with their needs determined on a case by case basis; thus the most beneficial support will be provided.
The support is centred on resolving participant and family/carer ssues and providing them access to the most relevant and valuable information and resources in order to help them to help themselves. A large part of FRANS’ role is to be up-to-date with the latest information and resources available to those people living with a disability. FRANS is able to provide reliable information, ensure that participants and families/carers are receiving assistance that they are eligible for from other organisations, as well as arrange referrals to organisations for additional quality care and support.
FRANS will continue to face some challenges in the coming years as demand for our services continues to outstrip supply or rather the financial resources to facilitate those services. We will continue to explore new areas of increased revenue generation in addition to core government funding that will allow us to continue to provide the innovative programs and activities for people with disabilities and their families/carers. At this time I would also like thank our generous financial and in kind supporters to date which have enabled FRANS to continue its work successfully.
I would also like to thank the Board of Directors, the FRANS Staff, and our volunteers for their continuing effort which enables the organisation to achieve so much.
Yours sincerely
JERRY MCNAMARA
GENERAL MANAGER
July 2006
FRANS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
FRANS
Governance Statement
The Management Committee (the Committee)
Consultation and Partnership
Financial management
Performance, Evaluation and Monitoring
Risk Management
Code of Conduct
Sound governance and effective management builds satisfaction for our
staff and our stakeholders and, most importantly, for people with disabilities
and their families/carers who use our services.
FRANS Governance Statement
This statement outlines the main corporate governance practices that were
in place at FRANS.
FRANS is committed to good governance through continual updating of processes
and operational business plan. We are confident this will deliver better
use of resources, create greater satisfaction for participants and families
who use our services. Transparency and accountability to all our stakeholders
is a core component of our governance policy.
The Board of Directors
The FRANS constitution allows for a Board which consists
of executives, directors,preseindents,vice president and secretary up to nine non-executive directors who are elected on one-year terms
by the FRANS membership at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee’s
responsibilities are defined by the Incorporated Associations Act which
outlines the framework and limits for its decision making. FRANS is guided
by its vision which includes its purpose, mission and values. FRANS financial
reporting is relevant, accurate, timely and transparent. In addition,
FRANS operates within the legal framework prescribed by law and regulation.
The Board selects and appoints the General Manager who
is responsible for operational management of the organisation and who
is accountable to the Committee for the organisation’s performance.
Consultation and Partnership
FRANS is committed to extensive consultation with people with disabilities
and their families/carers who use our services, our supporters workers
and with stakeholder organisations in the sector to ensure that it is
informed and knowledgeable in its core business – service provision
and support for people with disabilities. FRANS believes in involving
the people who are supported by its programs in the planning and evaluation
process so that we adopt an individualised, person-centred planning structure.
Each year we strive to consult with those who are most affected and seek
their feedback so that we can improve the services we provide. Staff and
Committee Members also work in cooperation with other government and non-government
agencies, in the Inner West of Sydney, in NSW and nationally.
Financial management
Accountability and transparency are central to our work. We realise that
the government and other supporters who provide funding to FRANS expect
that we will use it efficiently and effectively to achieve our objectives.
Our annual external audit assists in ensuring that funds provided are
used for the purposes intended. The system of internal controls which
management has established effectively safeguards the charity’s assets
by ensuring that:
o all operations comply with legal, statutory
and ethical standards;
o external auditors are appointed and that
financial information provided in the annual report is accurate;
o accounting records are properly maintained
in accordance with statutory requirements; and
o external audit functions are effective
and appropriately resourced.
Performance, Evaluation and Monitoring
FRANS Management prepares monthly reports for the Board
to check that programs are on track and achieving their goals. Regular
monitoring enables us to make adjustments where necessary, learn from
mistakes and ensure the continued effectiveness of our services. We are
attempting to develop performance benchmarks to provide indicators for
reporting in all key operational areas in line with the annual budget.
They will also ensure best practice and monitor the organisation’s
and the General Manager’s performance.
Risk Management
The Board is required to monitor the operational and financial
performance of the organisation. The Committee meets monthly to monitor
operational and financial risk and to consider strategies and policies
for appropriate risk management arrangements. A comprehensive risk management
assessment plan is envisaged to be completed in 2004/2005. Systems are
also established and monitored to ensure grievances and incidents and
to insure complaints and issues are dealt with in an open, fair and consistent
manner.
Code of Conduct
We are working to enhance a general FRANS Code of Conduct which would
outline the roles and responsibilities of the Management Committee and
the Staff and the more specific responsibilities of individuals in these
groups in their personal and professional conduct associated with FRANS.
The Management Committee’s policy is for the members and staff to
conduct themselves with the highest ethical standards. Any actual or potential
conflict of interest must be fully disclosed to the Committee.
Back to Top of Section 'Corporate Governance'
Back to Top
FRANS STAFF
General
Manager
Jerry McNamara
Jerry, originally from Canada, has
been in Australia for over ten years working specifically in the non
profit sector in the areas of environment, the arts, multiculturalism
and HIV. Jerry joined FRANS in 2003 after extensive management experience
in both the corporate and government sectors in Australia, North America
and the United Kingdom. Educated in North America, Jerry holds a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Genetics and a Masters of Business Administration
(MBA).
Jerry is very involved with human rights issues and passionate about equality
and community leadership and has volunteered extensively to various causes
locally and internationally. He also enjoys a diverse range of music combined
with cooking and spirited conversation and debate. He dislikes intensely
arrogance and discrimination of any kind.
Administration
Team
Glenn Connor-Brown (Manager, Human Resources & Administration)
Fran Rees (OH&S Coordinator)
Susan MacLellan (Finance Manger)
Susan Vanderwall(Admin Assistant)
Tania Savoulidis (Admin Assistant)
Matt Parsons (Systems Assistant)
Glenn joined FRANS as a Senior Coordinator in July 2004 he
has a Master in Management and 9 years experience working with people with disabilities.Glenn originally commenced employment as a vocational trainer for Adults
with Autism, later he spent 3 years running a day program for adults with
Autism in a community access environment. For the past 5 years Glenn
has been involved in the coordination of respite in the Sutherland and
St George regions before coming to FRANS.
Fran joined the team in 2006 she was attracted to the position due to her ongoing commitment to issues concerning social justice.
Susan M joined the team in 2006 and brings a great deal of knowledge and commitment to her role.Suzie V first contact with FRANS was as mother of a FRANS participant. She then worked as an administrative volunteer before taking on the part time role as Administrative Assistant in 2005. As part of her duties Suzie act as receptionists so hers is the cheerful voice that greats anyone calling in to the office.
Tania joined the team in 2006 as a part time Administrative Assistant.
Matt grew in the USA with three siblings with disabilites so has been involved in disability all his life. He joined the team at FRANS as a support worker in 2004. In 2006 Matt was very pleased to be able to combine his experience in direct support with his skill in IT through his new role as Systems Assistant. Matt works closely with Glenn to ensure that administration and coordination at FRANS is supported with the best infrastructre possible. Matt is currently a full-time student in a Bachelor of Fine Arts at UNSW-COFA, majoring in performance, as well as multimedia installations.
Ability Program Team
Matt Spanko (Manager, Ability Program)
Rachel Grove (Coordinator TOPS Program)
Matthew R Parsons (Coordinator TIG Program)
Madi Scarf (Coordinator DET Program)
Yvette Proud (Coordinator Carer Learning and Support Project, Coordinator Community Participation Program) 
Matt S will be joining the team in the very near future.
Yvette originally trained in visual art, she has been drawn to working with people who have disabilities over the years, Joining FRANS in 2003 as a support worker, Yvette gained valuable experience working with adults and children in the Individual Respite, ATLAS and OOSH programs and then became a Coordinator on the Iindividual Respite Team. In November 2005 Yvette took on the role of Coordinator for the Carer Learning and Support Project (CLASP) which focuses on supporting primary carers by providing information and training aimed at strenghening the caring role.Yvette also coordinates the new FRANS Community Participation Program (community-based options), linking young adults into mainstream activities that will address their individual strengths and needs. This program aims to develop skills that will enable a person to live an active, valued, and satisfying adult life.
Madi after being a support worker and gaining valuable experienc in the field, Madi joined the team in 2007
Rachel after being a support worker, joined the team in 2007.
Community Access Team
Rebecca Seratore (Manager, Community Access Program)
Aisha Filet (Program Coordinator)
Mishel Robbins (Senior Program Coordinator)
Bec has been busy studying whilst working at FRANS. She has completed TAFE certificates III and IV in Community Services (specialising in Disability Work) whilst working at FRANS since January 2001, initially as a Support Worker at weekends until she became a Coordinator for three of the Community Access programs. Bec has taken on the role of Manager since July 2006.
Mishel has been working in Community Services for 8 years, in both the childcare sector and disability field. She started working as a Support Worker in OOSH Inclusion in 1999 for FRANS and then moved into all the programs FRANS had to offer- Community Access, Post School Options and Individual Respite. While doing this she competed her Certificate IV and also worked as a childcare assistant, and later a childcare coordinator. Mishel started as a Community Access Coordinator in July 2006 and looks forward to bring all her hands-on experience to the planning and programming side of FRANS.
Aisha grew up on the Mid North Coast in rural NSW. She has worked with children throughout her life in range of different services with children and teenagers who have an array of support needs. With a Bachelor of Human Services and a Diploma in Community Services (Children’s Services), Aisha brings experience in child development, event coordination, activity planning and welfare advocacy. She commenced working with the Community access team in November 2005.
Individual Respite Team
Jackie Wickremeratne (Manager, Individual Respite Program)
Erika Aravena (Senior Coordinator)
Rebecca Vernola (Coordinator)
Elizabeth Mckeon (Coordinator, Ageing Carers Program)
Jackie originally worked in the private sector, originally
as an ‘Office All Rounder’, progressing to becoming a Personal
Assistant. She found this competitive arena very boring and changed to
disabilities 15 years ago. In this time she has worked in different roles
and for different organizations, including being a Support Worker for
a Post School Options Program, Group Coordinator for Family Support and
Coordinator for South West Community Transport. This service covered the
geographical area from Wollondilly to Fairfield (huge area).
In her last role she managed two group homes in the Penrith area and these
homes catered for adults who had intellectual disabilities. She has a
degree in Social Welfare and she has a lot of experience working with
people who have challenging behaviours. She enjoys working at FRANS as
programs are based on individual needs and she cannot imagine not working
in the disability field.
Erika originally from Chilli, Erika joined the team in 2006
Rebecca joined the team in 2006 changing sectors slightly from mental health to disability. She is learning a lot about the sector and enjoying the challenges disability respite coordination presents.
Elizabeth Liz “junior” (Yes we do have 2
Back to Top of this section 'FRANS Staff'
FRANS ORGANISATIONAL CHART
For an enlarged chart click on image below.
FRANS
ANNUAL REPORT 2005/2006
To download the complete Annual Report as a pdf click on the Report cover
image to the left, thankyou.
(Note: File is 1.5mb)