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Process for Nominations of Consumer Representatives and Laypersons

• Describe the Consumer Constituency
  • Note: Advertising Vacancies in Newspapers
    • Notes
• Develop a Person Specification
• Call for Nominations
• Present Nominations for Decision
• Advice of Appointment

Describe the Consumer Constituency

1. You must provide a description of the consumer constituency to all those involved in the nomination and appointment process. See the example on page 5 of this circular.

Note: Advertising Vacancies in Newspapers

It is not necessary to publish the full description of the consumer constituency in newspaper advertisements. Instead, it should be sent out with application papers.

2. The consumer constituency is the group(s) of people who use the service or are affected by the decisions which are / will be made by the body. There is no set formula but ethnicity, gender, age, geographical location, and relative economic advantage / disadvantage are usually relevant factors.

Notes

1. Ethnicity: Be aware that catch-all terms e.g. Pacific peoples, Asian, African, can mask the presence of a number of distinct racial or ethnic groups.
2. Age:It may be sufficient to identify the proportions of young people, over 60, other.
3. Getting assistance: Contact the industry, local district or city councils, other government departments, other agencies working in the same field, relevant voluntary agencies. You may also consult the MCA.

Develop a Person Specification

3. Page 7 of this circular describes the qualities you can, in general, expect consumer representatives to bring. You can now use the description of the consumer constituency to specify the knowledge and experience requirements.

4. The most effective consumer representatives will either work alongside or be part of the identified constituency, and be part of their networks.

5. Consult your Minister on the draft person specification, when appropriate.

Call for Nominations

6. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and voluntary sector organisations are usually the best sources of nominations for consumer representatives. Personal contact with these organisations will bring the best results. Please contact MCA for further advice.

7. Provide full information on the vacancy including

• The consumer constituency to be represented
• The person specification and why new nominations are being called
• Exactly what the process is for nominations and appointments, and who makes the final decision
• What information you need about the nominees
• What forms (if any) need to be filled in
• The functions of the board, or purpose of the committee, what their job collectively is
• Who else is on the board or committee
• What is the term, what expenses are met, the number and timing of meetings
  Note: Participation requirements for young people will differ from those for adults. Please contact the Ministry of Youth Affairs for advice - 04-471 2158.
• Date when nominations close, your DDI, and e-mail address.

Present Nominations for Decision

8. You must provide the description of the consumer constituency with the nominations for consideration. It may be useful to also provide the person specification.

Advice of Appointment

9. Advise those who provided nominations of the appointment made.

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