Following on from the previous blog in my series of the 10 things you need to know about not-for-profit governance – about Contracts and Agreements – this week we are going to explore the tenth and final area: Policies and Procedures.
Policies and procedures (including anything else you might call the written documents and statements that guide the way your organisation functions) are crucial tools and resources for the effective running of your organisation, as they outline the agreed-upon positions, expectations, and best practices, for the governance, management, and operations of your organisation.
They include a wide range of internal guidelines, instructions, and codes of conduct that guide your organisation’s activities, and they provide clarity for personnel – including paid staff, volunteers, and Board members – on how to handle various situations, address specific issues, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Policies and procedures really do serve as the foundation for ensuring consistency and maintaining optimal practices in your organisational decision-making and actions, which is why it is so important that they are actively profiled and utilised consistently across your organisation..
It’s critical that everyone within your organisation is aware of the existence of these important documents, and that they understand the importance of following them, as they provide a framework for ethical conduct, define roles and responsibilities, promote transparency, and support accountability.
Therefore, it is an important part of everyone’s orientation and induction to the organisation that they are familiarised with the existing policy framework, and that they are properly briefed whenever changes are made or new documents are introduced. Periodic reminders of key policies and procedures are also important too, as this ensures they remain front-of-mind for everyone who might need to follow them.
I am often asked by organisations: ‘what policies and procedure should we have in place’.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, I usually suggest thinking about the categories of Governance, Management, and Operations as a starting point, and working from there.
Brainstorm, talk to your sector’s peak bodies, network with your industry peers, check the requirements of your contracts and agreements, look to the relevant legislation and government regulators, even check out policy banks such as that provided by the Institute of Community Directors Australia, for ideas of what your organisation needs to have in place.
Recognise that things are always changing, and proactive development of policies and procedures is always better than putting something in place after something went wrong – for example, I wonder how many of our not-for-profits had pandemic response policies in place prior to the end of 2019!
And remember, policies and procedures are not merely documents to be filed away and forgotten. They are living documents that guide your organisation’s actions and contribute to its overall effectiveness and success, and they need to be regularly reviewed and check for currency, and updated where necessary.
At the end of the day, by fostering a culture where policies and procedures are valued and adhered to, you create an environment of transparency, consistency, and accountability within your organisation, and that is better for the organisation, its people, and those it serves.
Well that’s a wrap! Thank you for joining me on this journey through the 10 things you need to know about not-for-profit governance. I hope you found this blog series informative, and helpful for your organisation’s governance practice.
If you enjoyed the series, stay tuned for my follow up eBook, which will capture all the articles in one document for your convenience. And if you’d like to catch up on the 10 things webinar that inspired it all, you can check that out HERE too – the passcode is 7A#AQMg*
If you think I can help you or your not-for-profit with YOUR good governance, do check out the supports and services I offer 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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