Governance

The unique nature of NFPs, such as associations, charities, institutes, clubs and societies, means they require robust governance systems. They often have a wide scope and it is important that the correct framework is implemented to suit each organisation. Issues such as forming an association, directors’ & officers’ responsibilities, effective boards, incorporation, and single entity/federation matters are all vital to running a not-for-profit organisation.

Resources in this section, written by experts in the field, will address many of these issues to assist you in running or setting up your organisation.

• Register of Members

  • Register of Members

    We are often asked the question, particularly around the time of Annual General Meetings, the requirements of a company to provide its members with access to or copies of the Register of Members (“Register”) and, what is considered a proper use of the Register. Often it is the case that members will request a copy of the Register for the purpose of contacting other members to, for example, rally numbers to vote in a certain way on a particular resolution which is to be put forward at the AGM, or to commence a class action against the company, or to use the details to advertise a member’s business which is unrelated to the company... more

• Incorporating an Association

  • Ways of incorporation for Singaporean associations

    The increasing trend in Singapore is for associations and other not-for-profit organisations to be set up as companies limited by guarantee.

    An association in Singapore can be set up as a Company Limited by Guarantee (“CLG”) under the Companies Act or a society under the Societies Act. While historically, associations used to be set up as societies, the increasing trend in Singapore is for associations and other not-for-profit organisations to be set up as CLGs instead... more

  • Incorporating an Australian association

    Associations in Australia have expressed interest in an opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating an association as either an: Incorporated association under State or Territory associations incorporation legislation; or as a Company limited by guarantee under the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001... more

• Board Structure and Management

  • 10 practical tips for not-for-profit boards

    Not-for-profits exist to advance the purpose or purposes for which they were established, commonly called the objects, in the constitution. Whilst mission statements and strategic plans may be more directly actionable than the objects, the objects are paramount and overriding. If your objects are verbose and less relevant as your association develops, revise them by amending your constitution in line with what you are trying to achieve. However, objects are a key factor in determining tax status so be cautious in the outcome... more

  • Directors behaving badly

    Personalities play a huge role in the reality of how an association or charity can achieve its objectives. Associations Forum general manager John Peacock explores some typical problems that arise from difficult board directors– and some ways to improve things... more

• Single Entity and Federation Matters

  • The case for single-entity associations

    The structure of an association can have major implications for its effectiveness in advancing the ‘cause’ the association represents. This article gives thoughts on why single entity associations, often national structures, work better than multi-entity associations such as federations of state-based associations or umbrella groups... more

• Risk Management

  • NFP governance and risk

    Risk Management Partners Bryan Whitefield and NFP Analysts Ron Switzer discuss major factors in organisation governance and minimising risk... more