Lantern Administration

THE LANTERN COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

‘Vertical’ control focused models of management are not conducive to the aims and objectives of a Camphill Community (which are set out in the booklet 'An Introduction to Camphill Communities')

Working out of these particular ideas and principles an Administration Group of experienced co-workers who live and work in the Lantern Community co-operate together and support each other in managing all aspects of daily life.

No single person is appointed as 'Manager' (although we have management representatives.) Individuals may take on specific tasks of administration or correspondence but these are co-ordinated by the Lantern Administration Group of experienced co-workers who are mutually accountable and collectively responsible.

The Administration Group is supported in its Management role by the Lantern Council which comprises of representative members of the resident Administration Group which meets at least once every three months, together with at least an equal number of non-resident Council members who have professional or other useful experience, some of whom may be parents or friends of the Lantern Community. Others may serve on the Management Councils of other Camphill Communities. None of these people are paid for their services.

At least one member of this Council will also be a Director of the Sheiling Trust which is the charitable company that is legally 'in control' of the Lantern Community Activity and meets at least once every three months.

The Sheiling Trust has eight Trustees who meet together with the Administration Group representatives from each of its Activities in the Advisory Council.

The essential role of the Lantern Council is to be interested in and familiar with the life of the Lantern Community particularly with the welfare of its residents who have special needs, and hence to provide objective advice and support on both routine and contingent concerns as they arise.

It is also through the Lantern Council that the Directors of the Sheiling Trust have delegated specific management responsibilities thus giving the Council the following formal terms of reference:

1. To uphold the principles upon which the Lantern Community is founded, as expressed in the Camphill Mission Statement and the Memorandum of the Sheiling Trust.
2. To ensure that the Lantern Community has an effective executive management structure. To be aware of how decisions are made and be clear about the extent to which the Council should be involved or kept informed. Define limits of authority where appropriate. Review these arrangements from time to time.
3. To ensure that the Lantern Communities legal responsibilities are being properly carried out with respect to :-
   
   • Employment Law Health and Safety Legislation
   • Taxation Registered Homes Act
   • Insurance Local Authority Contracts
   • Charity Law Housing Association Agreement
4. To be concerned with the human, material and financial resources of the Lantern Community including :-
   • Co-worker Appointments.
   • Admissions Policy
   • Income and Expenditure (accounting, cash flow and budgetary controls)
   • Quality of Home Life, Further Education and Training.
   • Maintenance and Upgrading of Buildings.
   • Services and Utility contracts.
5. Consider plans for the future development of these resources.
6. Consider emergency and crisis management procedures.
7. Promote good public relations and liaison with parents and friends, dealing with any written complaints or grievances should they arise.
8. Form a long term fund raising strategy which co- ordinates with other Trust Activities.
9. Take professional advice on Matters that Council is not competent to deal with.
10. Keep the Trustees of the Charity appropriately informed.

In practice the executive responsibilities are delegated from the Lantern Council to the Administration Group who will decide (and review annually) which of its members are best fitted to accept responsibility for specific tasks of administration.

These individuals are accountable to the Administration Group on matters of principle but will convene smaller working groups to administer routine business when needed.

These Working Groups, who have named co-ordinators, may involve a wider cross section of the resident Community together with non resident Council Members and Friends who may well be qualified to assist with specialised tasks (e.g. Accountancy)

The Administration Group will meet weekly to co-ordinate and focus on any specific questions that may arise from the work of these working Groups. Notes /Minutes will be kept of principle decisions that are made by the Administration Group.

June 2003