Governance Resources

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

Top Governance Resources

Latest Governance Resources

Board succession planning

Strategic Planning

Directors are temporary custodians of the association they serve. Part of their responsibility is to ensure the existence of a succession plan to enable continued good governance. Associations Forum’s Denys Correll provides some tips to help you with your succession planning.

External Reviews improve associations

Strategic Planning

By John Peacock, CEO, Associations ForumIndependent expert analysis of an association via an External Review allows a fresh perspective that will boost the effectiveness of an association. One of the magical aspects of associations is that many of them are very much the same - yet also completely different. Certainly, the causes pursued are distinct, ranging from avocados to banking, construction, dentistry, education and…

Register of Members

Article by Jonathan Casson, Partner, Holman Webb Lawyers. June 2017 Extract: Several recent events, including the current dispute at CPA Australia, have once again highlighted the importance of understanding members’ rights regarding access to the Register of Members (‘Register’). All companies, including those limited by guarantee, must maintain such a Register. Following an application, a company must…

10 steps for successful planning days

Strategic Planning

The reason associations must plan is clear: if an association doesn’t agree on what it wants to do, it will be harder to achieve desired outcomes. A documented annual plan needs to be initially developed at a face-to-face Planning Day, attended by the Board and CEO, and then actioned by the association management.

AGM Guide (Free for Associations Forum Members)

Associations Forum’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) Guide has been written to assist the smooth and appropriate running of an association General Meeting. The AGM Guide is available free of charge to members of Associations Forum. Please contact Kathy Nguyen kathy@associations.net.au to request a copy. This edition of Associations Forum’s AGM Guide has been written for public companies limited by guarantee under the Commonwealth of Australia’s Corporations Act 2001.

Board Charter (Free for Associations Forum Members)

A sample Board Charter for associations is available to members of Associations Forum. Please contact Kathy Nguyen kathy@associations.net.au to request a copy. The purpose of the Board Charter is to define the rights and responsibilities of the Directors of the association to assist them in fulfilling their duties and obligations. Table of contents 1 Overview 2 Role of the Board 3 Responsibilities 4 Board…

10 practical tips for not-for-profit boards

Board Structure and Management

Keith Roberts FCIS of NFP Analysts, shares 10 solutions to common governance problems he sees at associations and charities. 1 The critical importance of the objects 2 Be accountable to someone else 3 Lock in director turnover 4 Ensure staggered terms…

Incorporating an Australian association

Incorporating an Association

By John Peacock, Chief Executive Officer, Associations Forum 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 A company limited by guarantee under the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001. The ideas…

Ways of incorporation for Singaporean Associations

Incorporating an Association

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. CLG…

Board Induction Papers

It is expected that all new Board Directors or Associate Directors will undergo an induction process. The induction process will include an initial meeting which can be conducted by any current Director and the CEO. The process will be the same for Directors and Associate Directors.

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