The safety and dignity of its members, its paid and volunteer staff, and anyone who has contact with the AWNA, are of primary importance in the operations of AWNA.  To help ensure this, the AWNA practices effective risk management in order to protect its human, capital, financial, and goodwill assets and resources.  Thus, the Executive Director ensures that assets are protected and adequately maintained, and develops a risk management plan for the AWNA that is reviewed and updated as needed.

 

Parameters:

 

The Executive Director ensures that:

 

Financial Controls

Sufficient internal financial controls are in place for receiving, processing, and disbursing funds.  These controls must meet the Board-appointed auditor’s standards for a similar-sized organization.

The Board must authorize any unbudgeted expenditures.

The President must approve the Executive Director’s expense claims.  See OF-2, point 3.

The Executive Director, unless required otherwise, may sign all contracts and documents relating to operational matters of the AWNA.

Signing Authority

All cheques must be signed by two (2) of the following:

President

1st Vice President

Corporate Secretary

Executive Director

Controller

Professional Development and Communication Coordinator

 

For cheques over $5000.00, one of the signatures must be the President, 1st Vice President, or the Corporate Secretary.  Routine cheques to the Receiver General, member newspapers, and the CCNA are exempt from this requirement.  Expenditures over $5000.00 that are pre-approved by the Board, through motion, are also exempt.

 

1.1Insurance against theft and casualty losses must be maintained at replacement value.

Insurance against liability losses to Board members, to staff, or to the AWNA must be maintained at a prudent level.

 

There is a current disaster plan, with fire safety policies, that is readily available to all staff, and is reviewed annually with all staff.

 

Quality, after-purchase service, and value are considered when making purchases.  The Executive Director provides an opportunity for fair competition, while considering conflict-of-interest, both real and perceived.  See Policy OF-4 for the acquisition and disposal of capital assets. 

Property is inventoried and a tracking system is in place to prevent loss, damage or theft.

4.3Facilities and on-site equipment are properly maintained.

 

Designated records are retained according to Provincial legislation and regulations.  Other records, intellectual property, information, and/or files are protected from loss or significant damage.  

Essential information stored in computers is copied on a regular basis, with provision for both onsite and offsite storage.

All confidential records are maintained in an appropriate manner and stored securely.

The public image and credibility of the AWNA is protected.

 

Service contractors provide sufficient proof of:

Acceptable standards of operation

Adequate insurance coverage to mitigate against risk

 

7.1There is an emergency plan that describes the steps to be taken in case of the interruption of service due to fire or other circumstances.  The Executive Director reviews this plan annually.