Recently, I ran a new webinar – 10 things you need to know about not-for-profit governance – and I was absolutely delighted (and rather gob-smacked!) to have over 600 people register!
Having that number of people sign up to come along really got me thinking…there are clearly a lot of people out there who seem to be hungry to find out more about the essentials of good governance for not-for-profits (which, as a not-for-profit governance advocate, is reassuring to know!)
Plus it’s important for all of us to be reminded from time to time of what we need to keep our eye on when it comes to governing a not-for-profit organisation (or any organisation for that matter).
So that has prompted me to turn my webinar into a blog series where I’ll be sharing with you the 10 things you need to know about not-for-profit governance over the coming weeks.
Let’s kick off the series with the first installment: Rules/Constitution.
Your organisation’s Constitution (or you might refer to them as your Rules) is a legally binding document that sets out the high-level governance framework that guides how your organisation operates. Surprisingly, many organisations I speak to have little to no knowledge of its existence or its contents. Unfortunately this lack of awareness can lead to confusion and potential governance issues down the track.
In most jurisdictions, the legislation that gives your not-for-profit its legal status, requires anyone who joins your Board or Management Committee to be familiar with the Rules or Constitution.
Additionally, if your organisation has members, the Constitution/Rules must be made available to them.
Therefore it’s crucial to make it your business to obtain a copy of this key document if you don’t have one already (and read and understand it!), and also to ensure that everyone else on you Board or committee (and any general members you may have) have access to a copy too.
At the end of the day, don’t underestimate the importance of your organisation’s Constitution/Rules.
Ensure it is a living document that guides your governance practice.
Make it a priority to get your hands on a copy, study it diligently, and utilise it as a valuable resource in your governance journey.
Stay tuned for the next installment in the series, where we’ll delve into Purpose and Strategy as it relates to not-for-profit governance.
And if you’d like to watch the webinar where I discuss the 10 things, you can check that out HERE – the passcode is 7A#AQMg*
If you think I can help you or your not-for-profit with your good governance, check out the supports and services I provide for organisations HERE, and if you would like to book a discovery call with me, to discuss your needs, you can do that HERE.
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