Articles written By Better Boards

What Makes a Great Company Secretary?

What Makes a Great Company Secretary? At one of our recent webinars on the Role of the Company Secretary, Kristy Huxtable, Head of Company Secretariat at Australian Retirement Trust, shared insights from her experiences in the role. We’ve gathered together some key points from the webinar into a brief article to assist those donning the Company Secretary hat. A boardroom can be an intimidating setting. For it to be less so, each person involved in an NFP’s management and its board should understand the intricacies of their given role.

Climate Risk Governance - NFP boards & directors' duties

In this presentation attendees will gain a contemporary understanding of climate-related financial risks (and opportunities) which is a necessary foundation for a robust system of corporate governance. The presentation will cover: the evolution of climate change from an ’environmental’ issue to one that presents material financial risks (and opportunities) over mainstream investment horizons; physical and economic transition (including policy/regulatory, technology and investor/customer preference shifts), and litigation risks for NFP boards; the corporate governance ’new normal’ – heightened expectations of both regulators and other stakeholders on climate risk management and disclosure; and recommended ’next steps'.

NFP Directors and their EOFY Responsibilities

What are the key considerations for directors in carrying out their end-of-year financial responsibilities? As the Director of an NFP organisation, your financial responsibilities relating to the end of financial year are not a last-minute exercise, but can stretch over a good deal of the year. In this session Kathy and David will: explore the key things you should be alert to before the financial year closes highlight how to make the most of your audit completion report or management letter provide tips to ensure that your organisation is working towards a no-surprises EOFY all through the year.

Securing Great Directors, Joining Great Boards (Panel Discussion)

Is your board seeking new directors or are you a prospective director who is thinking of making the move from executive to a board? Join our expert panellists for a session where they will discuss considerations applicable to both prospective directors and existing board members looking to recruit new directors. This panel will give both groups a deeper understanding of what the other is looking for and how they can both create value for organisations.

The Great Resignation...or the Great Rethink

The board’s role in cultivating a culture where employees feel they matter The “Great Resignation” has created a flurry of talent leaving the for profit sector in search of more meaning from their 9 to 5, and the not-for-profit sector is well positioned to capitalise on this watershed moment. Unfortunately, the sector is fatigued and at risk of burnout, with a 31% increase in people feeling frustrated, cynical, or exhausted at work since the pandemic began.

Understanding the role of the Company Secretary

The role of the company secretary is critically important in ensuring the board and organisation are compliant and perform as required by law. Join us in this webinar where Kristy Huxtable, an experienced Company Secretary who has worked at some of Australia’s top ASX listed companies, will present you with some tips and tricks on what makes a good Company Secretary and Governance professional. This session will cover: What makes a good Company Secretary The art of being the Chief Governance Advisor to the board how you can add value around the board table and much more.

Understanding the Role of the Treasurer

The Treasurer plays a key role within the board that can greatly contribute to the success of of an organisation. It is critical to have a clear understanding of what is expected in this role, and to have the knowledge necessary to support the board in its decision-making. The role of the Treasurer on a NFP Board takes on specific responsibilities on behalf of the organisation however this does not necessarily relieve other Directors from their obligations in this area.

Key Stages of Building a Financial Model for NFP Organisations

Financial modelling is one of the most important tools a non-profit organisation can have under its belt to improve its Financial Management. It can help in the planning of short and long-term strategies, to identify areas for improvement, and even to adjust the entire business model. The board should be part of building a financial model, but it must cooperate with other key decision-makers in the organisation to ensure everyone’s needs are being met.

Clear, Effective and Welcome Board Papers

Imagine sitting on a board and spending your Sunday reading the ‘papers’ for the meeting on Tuesday – an all too familiar experience for those who give up their time as board members for an invaluable NFP. Your task is to read hundreds of detailed pages, of varying quality, formats and styles, with important matters sometimes intentionally buried. And, you may be personally liable for the implications of their content.

Board Evaluation – Increasing the value-add of directors

Board evaluation is recognised as good contemporary corporate governance practice. Leading governance principles such as The Australian Governance System (TAGS™) and the AICD Not-for-profit Principles require the board’s and directors’ performance to be periodically evaluated. Board evaluation is an important tool boards can use to engage and educate directors, increase the value directors provide to their organisation and it can also assist in identifying and correcting corporate governance problems. In this webinar you will learn the what, why, how, when and who about board evaluation.