Articles written By Better Boards

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.

NFP Governance in 2022 (Panel Discussion)

Exploring The Future of Governance in the NFP Sector In this session the panel will explore and discuss: The evolving shape of NFP Governance in 2022 and beyond. The evolving expectations that Stakeholders, Funders, Regulators and society have of NFP Directors. How NFP Directors can position their organisation to flourish in the future. Tapping into their extensive NFP experience, the panellists will include discussion on a range of pressing issues identified by themselves and webinar attendees.

What is a Director Identification Number?

The Australian Government is working to modernise the Australian Business Register. As part of this project, as of November 1st 2021, The Australian Government has introduced the Director Identification Number (DIN) system. Table of Contents What is a Director ID? What are Director IDs For? Why have Director IDs been introduced? Why do I need a Director ID? What is the format of a Director ID? Who needs a Director ID?

Directors Duties - Do they ever end?

This webinar will be a great refresher for experienced directors and essential viewing for new or aspiring directors. Victor will discuss the duties imposed by law on Directors and Committee Members. Being a volunteer is not an excuse! The webinar will cover practical tips on how a Director can fulfil their duties and protect themselves from potential personal liability. In this webinar you will learn about: Directors’ and Committee Members’ duties to their organisations (both companies limited by guarantee and incorporated associations).

Transitioning from Director to Chair

Establishing your board career is challenging and securing your first chair role even more so. What do you need to know, what additional skills do you require, and what pathways are available? The role of the chair is challenging, so how do you ensure you lead effectively to ensure your board is high performing? Traditionally the chair’s role has been to lead meetings, ensuring correct protocols are followed. Today however, the chair’s role has become significantly broader, both inside and outside the organisation.