Not-for-Profit on Purpose

When I think about the NFPs we work with, I would like to see that their impact endures. That the changes they made, the lives they touched is remember and continues to have ripples long after the NFP ceases to exist. Being in a NFP is about playing to win, while sustainability is more about playing not to lose.  So, how do we make your NFP enduring?  In this video we discuss what you might like to think about, the next time your Board broaches sustainability.  

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Thinking about becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee? In Australia, when an incorporated association is looking to make the transition, each state is slightly different. With that in mind, I’ll talk through the principles involved the overall process, before touching on a few issues for you to consider.   Changing to a company limited by guarantee, is an involved process and will cost time and/or money.  Information and experience therefore, become crucial.

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If you have any questions, are in the process of star...

Is Financial Governance something unique to the NFP space? No, but it is needed, and it’s very obvious when an NFP doesn’t have it in place. Financial reports left to organically grow, can turn into lot of reports. This is something that is very painful to deal with at a Board level, so how do we turn these excessive reports into good governance?

 I’m not talking accounting specifically, it is about having knowledge of these aspects and lifting what are “normal” accounting processes, into value added processes - fit for your NFP.  In this video I disc...

As the CEO of an NFP, telling your story in meaningful and consistent ways is vital to delivering on your purpose.  In this video I discuss storytelling through the language of accounting, and why the CEO, Board and stakeholders should speak it regularly to tell their story. Creating a meaningful story with the numbers on the page may be challenging at first, however when spoken regularly, this unique approach has many benefits. Using the language of accounting in storytelling creates consistency and aligns your purpose throughout the organisation. 

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Are there too many not-for-profits?  Is this causing the NFP sector to be ineffective?  Would consolidation improve efficiency in the NFP space?  These questions frequently play into conversations. However, let’s not forget, in the NFP space our DNA is all about finding solutions to problems not yet solved. In this video I discuss the consequences of NFP consolidation and offer an alternative. With NFPs being a space of innovation, I believe there is a better solution.  

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If you have any questi...

How does an independent Company Secretary contribute to a high-functioning Board?  Why would a Board consider recruiting an independent CoSec when they can source this role in-house?  

In today’s video we consider this specialised role from the truly independent perspective, as there are many benefits to an outsourced solution.  A governance professional who can make calls and give advice with courage, from a place of independence, brings a lot of value to a Board.  

Some benefits include improved training, continuity, skills base, a peer for the CEO, board level mindset and strategic outlook.

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As a Board Chair, are there skills you bring to the role other than being able to run a Board meeting? Would not having to run the Board meeting allow you to add more value in the role of Chair?

With NFPs being all about innovation, it’s only natural that they would be drawn to solutions that allow the Chair and leadership team more time to what they do best in the role, utilizing their own unique skill set for the organisation.  

Running a good meeting requires specific skills.  In this video I discuss some...

What makes a good Chair?  I have worked with many Boards, and I have worked with good and great Chairs. However, never have I come across a Chair able to do the litany of tasks required of a Chair. 

In exploring the role and responsibilities of the Chair, which is always a much bigger role than it appears on paper, what is the common thread amongst Chairs and what makes them great?  How do you go from a good Chair to a great one.

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There are several reasons why a Board collapses, and it is never fun when it does. When the majority of the Board decides the situation is untenable and a lot of knowledge and history walks out the door, how do you recover? How do you rebuild? 

In this podcast I discuss options for consideration, specifically in the NFP space. Bringing back stability and replenishing the Board requires an effective team with certain skills and components. 

Do not be afraid to use external resources and specialists for Board recruitment. It is not about a quick recovery; it...

Who is accountable when Boards aren’t performing well?  Technically it is the members, but for those working in the NFP space this is not always an effective relationship and can be very nuanced. In this video I discuss situations that affect Board accountability and highlight why it’s important to be proactive. It’s not only when Boards are performing poorly that we should concern ourselves with this topic.

A Board must ultimately be self-aware, and to effectively understand they need to monitor and measure their performance and have a process embedded in its governance.