The benefits and risks of teams working remotely Over the past few years, beliefs about how, where, and when work is performed have shifted, and emplo...
Charities are at the heart of social ecosystems and play a vital role in building and sustaining flourishing communities. Yet, charities face several ...
Articles on Governance and Leadership in Purpose Driven Organisations.
Non-Profit Fact Sheets
What is a Disqualified Person?
If your Australian charity or not-for-profit is unsure whether an individual serving on its board or committee (or applying to serve) is a Disqualified Person, the first step is to understand the definition of a ‘Responsible Person’. The next is to review whether the rules set out by regulators have been followed. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Australia has strict governance standards that ensure charities make reasonable efforts to check whether the people they select as board members, committee members, and trustees are not disqualified from managing a corporation or from being selected as a Responsible Person.
Better Boards
Leadership
Uncovering Your Purpose as a Leader
When change is omnipresent, your leadership effectiveness is amplified, which is why it helps to have an acute understanding of your purpose as a leader. How do we define this type of ‘purpose’ and why is it so important? How can you uncover it and create a plan of action? We’ll look at several types of ‘purpose’ before honing in on what is meant by your ‘purpose as a leader’ and then I’ll outline how to uncover yours.
Phil Preston
Finding Collective Leadership Success
People join boards for various reasons and bring their personalised interpretation of leadership styles based on compounding individualised influences and knowledge of organisational governance on specific operational and strategic components that accumulate followers from either fear, admiration, or financial goals. Research findings have proven continuously through analytical assessments that many organisations need to incorporate the findings of historical board failures and academic research into their board’s selection tools and guides when developing and building their boards, committees, and advisory groups.
William Newall
Strategy & Risk
What's Before SWOT
Preparing for Strategic Planning There is a story about the tourist who stopped a local resident to ask directions. “Well, I wouldn’t start from here if I was going there” was the less than useful advice. Just like the tourist, you have to recognise where you are and get to a good starting point before setting out on your strategic journey. Most readers will be familiar with SWOT analysis. As a reminder, SWOT is about identifying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats around your business.
Ron Scott
What is a Public Ancillary Fund (PubAF)?
A Public ancillary fund (PubAF) is an entity that receives and distributes money or property to charitable organisations. PubAFs are run by a company that agrees to assume the role of a trustee. They are typically led by a group of individuals who are recognised in their community as having important responsibilities or positions such as school principal, member of parliament, or doctor. In 2020, Australia had 3,192 ancillary funds on record valued at a total of $10.
Engaging Remote Teams: Key Skills for Leaders
The benefits and risks of teams working remotely Over the past few years, beliefs about how, where, and when work is performed have shifted, and employee expectations and needs have changed. Technology now often allows us the ability to get the same job done, no matter where we are. This means remote work options are not only viable, but sometimes preferred. As a result, many employees now conduct a lot of their work remotely (physically apart) and this has led to more work being conducted virtually (communicating, collaborating, and interacting in a virtual space).
Ruth Knight
What are Related Party Transactions?
Related party transactions are a normal part of the business if your organisation works closely with other entities or individuals and enters into agreements. The Australian government’s regulations for related party transactions likely apply to you. Related party relationships are a normal part of doing business. However, when a person in a leadership position has ties to two entities the organisation conducts business or collaborates with, these relationships can affect the way each entity will manage money, make decisions, or create policies.
How Do Australians View the Leadership and Governance of the Charity Sector
Charities are at the heart of social ecosystems and play a vital role in building and sustaining flourishing communities. Yet, charities face several interlocking challenges that have only become more complex in a post-pandemic environment. In this context, charities are grappling with increased demand for services, financial sustainability, increasing job complexity, a declining volunteer workforce and the need to re-establish relationships with donors, all in the context of sustained impacts on the mental health, well-being and resilience of charity employees and leaders.
Dr Samuel Wilson, Carmel Molloy
What Is Auspicing?
Auspicing is a fairly common practice for unregistered or unincorporated non-profits in Australian such as informal groups or new organisations that may not have legal standing on their own. This type of agreement may be a good fit if a group of individuals or a local club want to run a project or host an event such as a festival or exhibition, a community pilot, a local study group or youth club, or a national sporting competition.
Top-10 Business Continuity Tips that Won't Break the Bank
Don’t be ’too busy’ to make a Business Continuity Plan Regardless of the industry you operate in, you will be expected by customers, staff, suppliers, general public and other stakeholders, to be prepared for a potential disruption - whether it be caused by a power outage, staff shortage, cyber-attack, flood, earthquake, fire, network outage, supply chain issue, flu outbreak or other cause. For the sake of your business and stakeholders, it is paramount that you implement a Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
Rinske Geerlings