Articles written By Better Boards

Governance 101

Communities, government, regulators, and other stakeholders increasingly require contemporary governance of community businesses (NFPs) to ensure accountability, transparency, and delivery of outcomes consistent with Vision and Mission. Directors of community businesses have distinct governance roles and responsibilities. It is crucial for directors to understand both the theory and practical application of these roles to add value to the board and meet stakeholder expectations. In this webinar, you will learn: Introduction to Governance - Practical application of directors’ duties and governance roles and responsibilities.

Resolving Small Conflicts Before They Become Big Problems

In any organisation, challenging situations will appear from time to time. But, as the saying goes, “Conflict is inevitable, Combat is optional”. In this session, we will explore how the way you respond to conflict can either lead you towards combat or deliver you to a peaceful, productive outcome. Using her experience from hundreds of disputes and extensive knowledge of negotiation theory, Nicole will provide you with concrete skills to manage difficult situations that arise within your organisation.

What Is a Shadow Director?

Board directors often ask others for advice on a range of issues related to finance, law, risk, and governance. On occasion, these relationships can cross a line and create the complicated dynamic of having a shadow director. A shadow or de factor director is a person who exercises a high degree of influence on the organisation and/or leads management-related work that would typically be assigned to a Board director. Having a shadow director can give the impression to a company’s stakeholders, creditors, and employees that the people making decisions are not being transparent.

Indigenous Governance Excellence

Free Webinar: Limited to 100 Live Attendees 🚨🚨 The live place are full. Sign up to our newsletter to be notified when the replay recording is available to view. 🚨🚨 Jessica Bulger, CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI), will lead a webinar on the critical role of two-way governance practices. She will explore the mission of AIGI, which centres on empowering First Nations boards and organisations to foster effective governance and self-determination.

Stepping Up: Mastering the Role of Chairperson

Many directors are thrust into the chairperson or president position by default, often because they have the most tenure or because no one else stepped forward. This panel offers chairpersons at any stage of their career — aspiring, new, or experienced — practical advice and strategies to refine their chairing skills. The panel will explore a variety of crucial topics that contribute to an effective board/chairperson dynamic including these key questions:

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.

Best Practice Governance for Better Board Decision-Making

Understanding and implementing best practices in governance is crucial for boards to make informed, effective decisions. How do structured processes enhance board decision-making? Why are rigorous procedures and detailed record-keeping fundamental? How can directors leverage governance tools to enhance their decision-making? In this session, Tamara Barr draws on two decades of experience in Company Secretary roles as she covers the tools and best practice processes employed by highly effective boards. She will explore the essential tools and systems that keep boards performing at their best, enhancing overall functionality and decision-making efficiency.

Risk Register

Having a risk register is a critical part of a non-profit’s toolkit for managing risks. If your organisation regularly plans large, long, or complex projects, collects personal information, or works with vulnerable people, it can become difficult to manage the risks as they grow. Developing internal resources to manage important risk areas like cyber security, climate, protecting vulnerable people, avoiding financial abuse, and ethically working with partners becomes critical. What is a Risk Register?

Straw Poll

Straw polls play an important role in the work Board Directors do, helping them get a clear picture of everyone’s opinion so they can align decisions and priorities with wider views. In general, polls are used to make organisations more democratic. Many Not-for-profit Boards, operating in Western nations, are an extension of democratic values and practices. Straw polls are one of the earliest forms of democratic voting and have been around since the revolutions of the 19th century.

Unlock Your Board's Potential With Effective Board Assessments

In this webinar Raphael will explore how you can use board evaluation to unlock your board’s full potential. Board and director assessment, when done well, is a powerful tool for enhancing your board’s performance, effectiveness and composition. In this webinar we’ll cover: Understanding Board Evaluations: Explore the purpose, methodology, and benefits of conducting thorough board evaluations and assessment. Board and Individual Director Benefits: Gain insights into how evaluations contribute to overarching governance quality, individual director growth, and the strategic alignment of the board with the organisation’s strategic direction.