National Standards for Volunteer Involvement | This Week’s Blog | Upcoming Events | Finance Tips From Julie | How Can I help?
Hi there – thanks for checking out my latest Good Governance Newsletter!
Because you are here, I know you understand the importance of good governance and effective leadership practices within our not-for-profits, and that you want to make sure you do everything you can to steer your organisation in the right direction.
So, to support you with that, through my regular Good Governance Newsletters I strive to bring to you valuable NFP governance and leadership information and updates, happenings and events, that will help you do exactly that!
So grab yourself a cuppa and take a moment out of your day to check out what I have to share with you in my newsletter this week…
Read on for:
- National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
- My latest Blog – Building Capability: Uplevel your minute-taking
- What’s Coming Up – August & September
Thursday 7th August – Training: Succession Planning
Wednesday 3rd September – Webinar: 10 tips for Better Strategy Planning
Thursday 4th September – Training: Valuing our Volunteers
- Finance Tips from Julie – Optimising Income Streams with Data Driven Decision Making
- Working with me – How my Succession Planning Program can help your NFP Board
I’m so glad you have found me and all the resources I share via my newsletters and emails.
I am sure I will have something to help you in the not-for-profit work you do, whether it be as an Executive, a Board member, or a grass-roots community volunteer.
So dive on in and let me know what grabbed your attention in this issue!
Regards
Megan
DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE STANDARDS FOR WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS!
Did you know that, in Australia, we have a set of Standards that guide us in good practice volunteer management?
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are a best practice framework to guide and support organisations with their volunteer involvement.
These Standards are an essential resource for all organisations and groups that engage volunteers. The National Standards can be used flexibly, recognising that volunteering takes place in highly diverse settings and ways.
Adoption of the National Standards has direct benefits to both volunteers and the organisations and groups they volunteer with because:
– They help improve the volunteer experience and ensure that the wellbeing of volunteers is supported and their contributions are valued.
– They provide best practice guidance and benchmarks to help organisations attract, manage and retain volunteers and support effective risk and safety practices.
So if you work with volunteers, check out everything you need to know about these important Standards HERE!
And even if you are based outside Australia, you can still use these Standards as a good practice guide.
MY LATEST BLOG
Recently I have taken a number of enquiries about good practice in minute-taking, so I thought it was timely for me to write a new Building Capability article all about uplevelling your minute-taking skills – an important but often overlooked governance capability.
Check out the article HERE and I do hope you find it helpful for the NFP organisations you are a part of.
If you want to read more of my blog articles, or listen to some podcasts I have spoken on, then check out my back catalogue of Blogs & Pods HERE.
Enjoy!
WHAT’S ON IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
Looking for quality, accessible, and affordable training for your NFP Board?
Then check out my Online Learning offerings coming up in August and September!
🟢 7 August: Succession Planning online training .
Together we’ll do a deeper dive into this critical topic, and unpack and explore the key strategies I use for success in my Board succession planning work.
Thursday 7 August, from 5.30 pm – 8 pm (AEST/Melbourne time).
Tickets are just $167 per person.
Click HERE for further information and to purchase your tickets.
🟡 3 September: 10 tips for better Strategy Planning webinar.
Come along to this FREE webinar to hear my top tips for great Strategy Planning, and set your organisation up for success.
Wednesday 3 September, from 11 am – 12 pm (AEST/Melbourne time).
Click HERE for further information and to book yourself in.
🔴 4 September: Valuing our Volunteers online training session.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of so many NFPs. Come along and learn about best practice volunteer attraction, management, and retention.
Thursday 4 September, from 5.30 pm – 8 pm (AEST/Melbourne time).
Tickets are just $167 per person.
Click HERE for further information and to purchase your tickets.
For the full calendar of my online Events, click HERE to find out more.
FINANCE TIPS FROM JULIE
Julie Doyle is my business finances guru, and this week she is generously sharing some of her wisdom around Optimising Income Streams with Data Driven Decision Making.
This week Julie says:
As Not-for-profit organisations navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape, leveraging data analytics is becoming more and more essential.
By using donor management systems, performance metrics, and strategic data insights, NFPs can better understand their supporters and their donors’ habits, personalise fundraising appeals, and optimise their own financial strategies.
Data-driven decision-making is not just a trend—it is a crucial approach to maximising your NFP’s impact, efficiently using your resources, and achieving your long-term sustainability.
Here’s some suggestions for how your NFP can harness data for smarter decision-making:
📌 Define Clear Goals and Metrics
Start by clearly outlining your mission, objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Metrics such as fundraising effectiveness, program impact, and volunteer engagement should align with your overall mission.
📌 Collect Relevant Data
Gather information from various sources—past fundraising campaigns, program reports, website analytics, donor databases, social media insights, and surveys. Ensure the data is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to avoid misleading conclusions.
📌 Analyse and Interpret the Data
Use statistical analysis, data visualisation tools, and trend assessments to extract meaningful insights. Look for patterns in donor behaviours, program successes, and operational efficiencies to guide your organisation’s future strategies.
📌 Make Data-Backed Decisions
Turn insights into action by using data to optimise resource allocation, refine fundraising strategies, and prioritise programs based on impact and efficiency.
📌 Monitor and Adjust Strategies
Regularly review your metrics and progress. Adjust your approach based on new data, changing priorities, and evolving external factors to stay agile and effective.
📌 Foster a Data-Driven Culture
Encourage your team to integrate data into their decision-making processes. Invest in training to improve data literacy and ensure that everyone understands how to leverage analytics for your mission’s success.
📌 Ensure Data Security and Compliance
Protecting donor and stakeholder information is critical. Implement cybersecurity measures, follow best practices for data management, and stay compliant with relevant regulations to maintain trust and integrity.
📌 Collaborate and Share Insights
Engage with other NFPs and industry professionals to exchange best practices and stay informed about emerging trends. Participating in forums, conferences, and collaborative networks can amplify your impact.
By embedding data-driven strategies into your NFP’s operations, you can improve efficiency, enhance stakeholder engagement, and drive greater impact. In today’s fast-evolving landscape, informed decision-making is the key to financial sustainability and mission success.
So let’s harness the power of data to create that meaningful change!
If you have a NFP finance query you would like Julie to talk about via my Good Governance Newsletter, just email it to me on megan@mjbconsulting.net.au.
NOW IS THE TIME TO GET STARTED ON YOUR
BOARD SUCCESSION PLANNING!
If your NFP wants to recruit new Board members towards the end of the year, now is the time to start thinking about Board Succession Planning – to get the best Board recruitment outcomes, you need to be proactive and you need to begin well in advance!
And when I undertook some research into areas of unmet need for NFPs, help with Succession Planning was one of the highest priorities people identified.
So that prompted me to create my NFP Board Succession Support program .
Through this program I help NFP organisations across the country to plan for, look for, and secure skills-based Board members to help lead their organisations into the future.
Check out some lovely feedback below from a wonderful organisation that I helped recently with their Succession Planning:
“Through a highly consultative process Megan provided a clear and effective Board succession planning program to refresh the EAA Board in line with its Future Directions Strategy.
Megan then provided terrific value and assisted in the implementation of the Board refresh.
At all times Megan was proactive, and she stepped in several times to ensure no balls were dropped.
Behind the scenes Megan provided valuable coaching to the CEO and Board members.
I would highly recommend Megan for Board advisory services.”
Greg Steele, Board Chair, Engineering Aid Australia
So if your Board needs strengthening, check out my NFP Board Succession Support program flyer HERE, and book a discovery call with me HERE to find out more!
And if you want to explore more of my other supports for NFPs, check out my Services page on my website HERE.
Or for all the details, go directly to:
➡️ Governance and Strategy
➡️ Executive Support
➡️ Support Packages
➡️ Training Programs
I’d love to help your organisation with what you need too!
Recent Comments