A new chapter for LinC Yarra Valley: could you help shape what comes next?

LinC Yarra Valley held its 2026 Annual General Meeting on Monday 24 August, bringing together members, supporters and community leaders to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the organisation’s next chapter.

We were grateful to welcome Mayor Cr Richard Higgins and Cr Jim Child OAM JP MAICD from Yarra Ranges Council, and we thank everyone who joined us for the evening.

The AGM was also an opportunity to acknowledge the people who make LinC Yarra Valley’s work possible.

We thank our Board members for their service over the past 12 months and welcome those who have been appointed to serve for the year ahead. We also extend our deep appreciation to the many volunteers and team members working across LinC’s programs, including our Social Supermarkets, Crisis Support and LinC Play.

Together, they help LinC provide practical care, connection and support to people experiencing hardship, isolation and crisis across the Yarra Valley.

We are continuing to build our Board

The AGM marks the beginning of a new governance year, but our work to strengthen the LinC Yarra Valley Board continues.

We would like to hear from people who feel a connection to LinC Yarra Valley’s purpose and may be willing to contribute their skills, experience and judgement to the organisation’s future.

For more than 30 years, LinC Yarra Valley has brought together local churches, volunteers, supporters and community partners to respond to need in our community. As the organisation grows and changes, a capable and diverse Board will continue to be essential to ensuring this work remains strong, sustainable and responsive.

We are particularly interested in people with experience or capability in areas such as:

• governance, legal or risk management
• finance, accounting or financial sustainability
• fundraising, philanthropy or grant development
• human resources, volunteer leadership or training
• community services and local partnerships
• communications, marketing or stakeholder engagement
• strategic planning, business or social enterprise
• church, ministry or community leadership

No Board member is expected to bring all of these skills. Strong governance comes from bringing together people with different perspectives, professional experience, community knowledge and a shared commitment to LinC’s purpose.

What does serving on the Board involve?

The LinC Yarra Valley Board is responsible for the organisation’s governance, strategic direction, financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Board members participate in meetings and decision-making, prepare for meetings, maintain confidentiality, manage conflicts of interest and act in the best interests of LinC Yarra Valley.

The Board generally meets six times each year through a combination of online and face-to-face meetings.

Individual Board members may also contribute to an area where they have particular interest or expertise, such as finance, governance and risk, fundraising, volunteer leadership, church and community engagement, communications or stakeholder relationships.

We are also interested in hearing from someone with financial or business experience who may be willing to work alongside our Treasurer through the Vice Treasurer support portfolio. This is an Ordinary Board Member role with an additional area of focus, rather than a separate constitutional office.

Could this be you?

Board service is one of the ways people can make a lasting contribution to their local community.

You might have served on a Board before, or you might never have considered it. You might bring professional expertise, experience in church or community leadership, strong local connections, or simply the ability to ask thoughtful questions and contribute sound judgement.

What matters is a genuine commitment to LinC Yarra Valley’s purpose and a willingness to contribute constructively.

LinC Yarra Valley Board members must meet the eligibility requirements set out in our Constitution, including being a current member of LinC Yarra Valley and being actively connected with a Christian church community. If you are interested but are not yet eligible, we would still encourage you to speak with us. We can explain the requirements and possible pathways to future appointment.

If you would like to explore whether serving on the LinC Yarra Valley Board could be right for you, we would be very pleased to have an informal conversation.

Find out more: Join the LinC Yarra Valley Board

Email: linc.yarravalley@gmail.com
Phone: 0455 268 457

The next chapter of LinC Yarra Valley will be shaped by the people willing to help guide it. Perhaps you, or someone you know, could be one of them.