To be successful, the directors of Ingkerreke must run the organisation properly and effectively with the help of management and staff. We make sure to set this as a high priority to make sure the organisation runs smoothly between staff and management, but most importantly, between the Ingkerreke organisation and clients.
What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance is how people lead and run their organisations. Corporate governance is mainly the responsibility of the board as a group. The governing board performs its duties with the support of management and staff, in line with members’ wishes, the constitution and the law, and ideally in partnership with stakeholders.
Ingkerreke acts in a professional manner, and to create the most stable work area for all our staff, we've developed a way for employers and employees to communicate with the board. Sections (such as "areas" Ingkerreke covers and participates in) were listed for all staff, if eligible, to post their concern. Such sections include, but not limited to;
Finance & Administration
Ingkerreke's finance and administration area has well established accounting practices combined with trained and experienced staff. The finance manager is supported by an accountant and two finance assistants. This ensures that sound accounting practices are adhered to and carried out in a timely manner.
Municipal Services
Ingkerreke has assisted Outstations through the provision of expertise in installing and maintaining power generating equipment, street lighting, reverse osmosis water treatment plants and bores, in constructing ad maintaining internal roads and rubbish dumps, and assisting in weed control and fencing. Rubbish is currently collected from outstations on a weekly or fortnightly basis and taken to the Alice Springs Town Dump. This has lessened the need for maintenance strip dumps, cutting costs and improving the health of the living environment.
Housing Management
The construction and allocation of housing is an area that has not been managed by Ingkerreke for a couple of years. This is due mainly to changes in funding policy. The responsibility for new and replacement houses on outstations will rest with NT Housing. Ingkerreke Executive will, however, still maintain an obligation to push for outstation advancement which includes identifying housing requirements.
Social & Community Enterprises
To provide a buffer from changes in the political and funding environment to the organisation, Ingerreke intends to develop enterprises running along commercial lines. The organisation will continue to offer services to its members and the wider community through the development of social and community enterprises. A Social Enterprise is a business, but one with a difference. All profits made by a Social Enterprise are reinvested back into the community to develop much needed services and resources. A Community Enterprise is part business, part training program. The business employs young people and long term unemployed and teaches them new skills in a real life environment.
Benevolent Trusts
Ingkerreke will establish three Benevolent Trusts for the benefit of the Red Area Outstation members. These trusts will be funded through surpluses generated by Ingkerreke's Social Enterprises. It is anticipated that it may take up to five years for such surplus to be generated as each of the enterprises is relatively new and there will be ongoing set up and development costs involved. When surpluses are generated, they will be distributed equally between the three trusts. Members may apply to the trusts board for funds to assist in Education, Outstation Infrastructure or Enterprise Development needs.