Management Structure and Relationship with the Community

Redfern Legal Centre is a public company limited by guarantee. There are six elected volunteer Company Directors. The day to day management of the Centre is delegated to the Executive Officer. The Board is advised by the RLC Advisory Council, consisting of community representatives who guide the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan.

RLC has a strong and close relationship with its local community. Some agencies have been instrumental in the establishment and continuing development of the Centre, most notably City of Sydney Council (previously South Sydney Council) which has consistently provided both financial and in-kind support e.g. the Council funded the Centre's first paid staff member.

A number of specialist community legal centres started their lives as Redfern Legal Centre initiatives in response to community need - often with no funding. Some of these services have become independent such as the Intellectual Disability Rights Service; Disability Discrimination Legal Centre; Redfern Legal Centre Publishing, and some have become state-wide funded programs such as the Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme.

Advisory Council

Redfern Legal Centre needs policy advice from the community to ensure we are conducting our services in the best possible way to meet the needs of those we serve.

The aim of the Advisory Council is to provide input and to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the services provided by RLC as well as advising on the strategic direction for the organisation.

The Advisory Council will inform the Board which will have the responsibility for planning and implementation

The Council comprises up to fifteen (15) members from a wide range of local, community and public interest representative organisations, thereby providing diverse coverage of key sectors. It is aimed at broadening and enhancing community participation in, and input to, RLC. It is a requirement for membership on the Council that all members demonstrate a commitment to social justice.

The Council includes nominees of local community organisations drawn from the following sectors

• older people
  
• people with a disability
  
• women
  
• Aboriginal communities
  
• CALD communities
  
• young people
• local residents

The Council also includes nominees of public interest
representative organisations drawn from the following sectors:

• public interest advocates
  
• financial counsellors
  
• pro bono contributors

Other members of the Council include:

• RLC staff representatives
• RLC student volunteer nominee
• RLC volunteer solicitor nominee