enliven Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP Terms of Reference February 2017

Background enliven is an alliance of health and social services operating in the south east metropolitan Melbourne area and beyond. In 2014 enliven identified the need for a LGBTI community reference group, following an initial consultation with members of the LGBTI community in the south east and the participation of some member agencies in the HOW2 training conducted by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria. enliven understands that consumer engagement and consultation is critical to quality service provision.

In order to obtain the Rainbow Tick, each agency is required to meet Standard 3: Consumer participation. This standard requires that LGBTI consumers are consulted about, and participate in, the planning, development and review of the service.

Indicators for meeting this standard are as follows:  The organisation works with LGBTI consumers and community representatives to identify LGBTI consumer’s needs and utilises this information to develop LGBTI inclusive services.  The organisation has a system for the ongoing monitoring of its LGBTI consumers to identify changing needs and evaluating the impact of service improvements on their quality of care.  As part of its ongoing assessment of consumer experience, the organisation analyses its performance in working with LGBTI consumers and undertakes appropriate service improvements.

Although some member agencies have existing Community Advisory Groups, these do not always represent the specific needs and interests of the LGBTI community. In order to provide an effective mechanism for bringing the voices of the LGBTI community in the south east to the health and social service providers in the area, the enliven Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex & (LGBTI) Community Reference Group will be established.

Purpose

The enliven Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) Community Reference Group (CRG) will provide a hub for communicating with and responding to LGBTI people and the LGBTI communities in south east metropolitan Melbourne. The LGBTI CRG will maintain effective links and communication with existing Community Advisory Groups across the south east as well as with the LGBTI community.

Responsibilities

The LGBTI CRG has a responsibility to:  Advise enliven member agencies on LGBTI consumer, carer and community views and matters of community interest or concern, so they are recognised and reflected in service delivery, planning and policy development  Provide input into planning and monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of LGBTI specific strategies and programs in the area.  Facilitate two-way communication between LGBTI consumers, carers, community groups and enliven member agencies

1 | P a g e  Provide advice and assist in the development of strategies to enhance LGBTI consumer and community participation  Act as a conduit between the LGBTI community and enliven member agencies  Harness community support for LGBTI initiatives and programs in the south east.

Membership of the LGBTI CRG

The LGBTI CRG will comprise a mix of consumers/community members and service providers relevant to the specific interest group. Members who are representing the LGBTI community should identify with and have links to at least one of the specified groups within the LGBTI community.  enliven Facilitator  Chairperson - Community Representative  Deputy Chairperson - Community Representative  Convenor- LGBTI CRG facilitator/secretariat  Minimum of five and maximum of ten community representatives (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Intersex)  Communications/media representative-(a person with links to LGBTI media) By invitation of the committee, others may attend one or more meetings of the Committee as a resource or in an advisory capacity

Recruitment of members

Community members will be recruited via an expression of interest process. There will be a mix of consumers/carers and community members representing each of the specific community groups. The membership will endeavour to represent the following:  Lesbian  Gay  Bisexual  Transgender  Intersex

Members will be appointed for a period of up to two years with an opportunity to apply for re-appointment based on key selection criteria. Appointments of community members should be on the basis of their capacity to represent a broad range of LGBTI community views and interests. Committee member selection will aim to achieve a mix of LGA, age, gender, ethnicity, LGBTI consumer groupings. Members will be active community members with strong community interests relevant to the work of the CRG, and will have the capacity to reflect on and present community issues rather than personal or individual issues.

Members will treat other members courteously and be respectful of the opinions of others. Members should declare any conflict of interest that should arise and withdraw from the meeting/group as appropriate. Potential new members may be invited to attend a meeting as a guest invitee initially. In the case of extended absence or resignation from the CRG the member should notify the Chair and the convenor.

Chairperson will be appointed annually by the members of the LGBTI CRG and agreed to by the enliven Board. The chairperson will be responsible for chairing the meetings and preparing the agenda in consultation with members and the convenor. Deputy Chairperson-a community representative who will take on the role of Chairperson in their absence. Convenor-enliven LGBTI CRG facilitator/secretariat (See responsibilities listed below)

Meetings and Procedures

2 | P a g e There will be a minimum of four 2 hr meetings per year at a time and location to suit the membership. A quorum will consist of a minimum of four community members/consumer representatives. The CRG may invite staff members from member agencies or people with particular expertise to meetings to inform or consult with the group. These people will not have voting rights.

Agendas and other related documents material will be distributed to members by the convenor one week prior to the meeting. Minutes will be recorded by the convenor and distributed to CRG members and to the enliven Chairperson within one week of the meeting and a report will be sent to the enliven Board following each meeting.

Reimbursement of expenses will be in accordance with the enliven Consumer, Carer and Community Participation policy and procedure. Reimbursement will include reasonable expenses of travel, parking, and childcare or carer respite. All reimbursements must be claimed using the Travel Claim or Expense Claim Form (available on request), be supported by original receipts, submitted to the LGBTI Reference Group Facilitator and approved by the Director Strategy and Engagement.

Members have the right to make a complaint in relation to the activities and operation of the group. A complaint may be made in person or in writing. The first point of call should be the Chair of the group, then the convenor and then the enliven Sponsor.

Role of LGBTI CRG facilitator/secretariat

This position will be funded by enliven and supervised by the enliven Sponsor Responsibilities will include:  Recruitment of CRG members  Orientation and training of CRG members  Arranging mentoring for CRG members as required  Developing and maintaining a contact list for broader LGBTI community engagement  Arranging, facilitating and documentation of CRG meetings  Acting as a conduit for communications with the service providers, LGBTI CRG and people on the contact list

Date Created / Revised Feb 2017 Next Revision July 2018 enliven Sponsor tbd Approved by enliven Board

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