Applications for Board, Policy Committee, Spokespeople and Candidates

Selection Process for New Board Members

We are looking to expand the Board to at least six members.

The Board needs people that have:

1. A depth of experience and expertise in an area that is relevant to Board work including:
   • Political or media strategy
   • Strategic leadership
   • Business management
   • Financial management
   • Constitutional Law
   • Communication & marketing
   • Cultural change and creating high performing teams
2. A real drive to see The Opportunities Party succeed
3. A clear understanding that success means seeing The Opportunities Party policies implemented, through winning Parliamentary seats, through winning votes in any election in which The Opportunities Party stands.
4. The ability to communicate clearly in writing and in person - to articulate complex ideas in a way that allows them to be understood
5. A high level of emotional intelligence - including the ability to empathise and to reflect and change/grow.
6. A steady temperament and the ability to work under pressure.
7. Time available to do the work required (around 5 hours per week).
8. A demonstrated commitment to the Party’s values, including evidence based policy.
9. A declaration of any conflicts of interest or past issues that may compromise the Party.

Of course fit with the existing team is important as well. In that context the particular skills we are looking for in this intake are:

• Financial management
• Political or media strategy
• Fundraising and networks of donors
• Law
• Communication and marketing

If there are more people available with these skills than the slots available, the preference will be given on the basis of promoting diversity. The Board will also promote diversity in the future by ensuring promising younger party members have access to opportunities to build their experience so that they can be on the Board.

Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to [email protected] for consideration by the end of May (5pm 31st May 2019). All applicants must agree to provide a Criminal Records check when asked and The Opportunities Party will reserve the right to revoke membership to the Board on the outcome of this report.

The Process is as follows:

• The Board is currently forming a selection panel comprising at least two Board members and one other party member
• Applications close 5pm 31st May 2019
• Sub committee need to agree and submit a short list for Board approval
• Issue voting papers and notification of AGM (aiming for 22 June)
• New Board members will be announced at the AGM (aiming for 20 July)

Policy Committee

The plan is to broaden the Policy Committee to up to 6 members. 

We are looking for members with experience in the following:

• Good policy making process, ideally including deliberative democracy methods
• Expertise in environmental issues, particularly climate and fresh water.
• Expertise in economic issues, particularly tax and disruptive innovation.
• Expertise in social issues, particularly child poverty.
• Expertise in cultural and constitutional issues, particularly the Treaty of Waitangi.

Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to [email protected] for consideration by the end of May (5pm 31st May 2019). All applicants must agree to provide a Criminal Records check when asked and The Opportunities Party will reserve the right to revoke membership to the Board on the outcome of this report.

The Process:

• A selection panel is being established
• Applications close 5pm 31st May 2019
• Selection panel decides short list (June)
• Short List have interviews (early July)
• New Policy Committee members will be announced at the AGM (aiming for 20 July)

Spokespeople/ Candidate Selection

The Opportunities Party will be announcing some Spokespeople at the Annual General Meeting and will make further candidate announcements in early 2020.

Spokespeople need to be able to communicate particular policy priorities in some detail across a variety of media. Candidates will need a more general understanding of our policy and the ability to present in front of a crowd. The ability to fund-raise is also important for both roles.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to represent TOP, let your Regional Coordinator know or get in touch at [email protected]

In the meantime the best way to showcase your skills is by setting up your own candidate Facebook page and communicating our policy on that. Use your creative communication flair to make posts, videos, write blogs... whatever gets our policies across, showcases your talents and engages people.

The only rule is don't make new policy - just stick to what is already there. Make sure you let us know about your page so we can follow what you are up to! Exceptional content may get shared on The Opportunities Party Facebook page. To make sure everyone has the same opportunity we will use the content posted during June to evaluate candidates.

Mission and Values

To help guide any application, The Opportunities Party core team has been working on a Mission Statement and set of Values to guide our work. 

Our Mission is to engage and equip courageous Kiwis as we build a home where everyone has the opportunity to thrive

Values: 

1. Courageous, cheeky communication

This means that TOP communication calls it how we see it – the unvarnished truth.

More cheek, less arse.

We tell the truth but it is about the policy, not the person.

2. Collaborative Community - Manaakitanga & Whanaungatanga

We are creating a genuinely connected community for changemakers.

We collaborate but don’t compromise where it counts.

3. We take a long term view - Kaitiakitanga

Our children and future generations are at the centre of everything we do.

TOP community is united by the purpose of promoting the Children’s Fire or the Harakeke image (where the next generation harakeke - the pepi - are in the middle of the older years’ growth and one must prune the outer leaves with care and precision, to keep the pepi healthy and free to grow)

4. We are Curious about What Works

We will do what is required to achieve our goals.

Our policy is informed by the evidence of what works in the long term.

We welcome debate and change our mind when the evidence changes.

We aren’t afraid to implement difficult changes in order to ensure the future of our Home.

Our focus is on improving the efficiency of public spending, not tax & spend.

5. Disrupting politics as usual

We aren’t left or right.

We do things differently, inspiring ourselves and others.