I’ve always had a curious mind – whether it’s been about needing to understand how things work, or what makes people tick, or why we need to do things the way we do. Making sense of the world around me is something that I have always found really interesting, and I can get lost in research for hours as I look for and find answers to questions, and in turn new questions emerge requiring their own answers.
So about 25 years ago, when for the first time I found myself in the role of Secretary for an Incorporated Association, my fairly basic understanding (as it was then!) of how things needed to be done for the organiation in order to meet legal and other requirements, sparked a new curiosity in me for this sometimes-nebulous concept of ‘good governance’.
Back then the internet was not what it is today, so information to guide me was not as readily available as it is these days. Plus I found it difficult to find many courses I could take to educate myself about the requirements…so initially I just muddled on as best I could.
In some ways, I think the seed of an idea for the work that I do today was probably sown back then, given that much of the work I do now with not-for-profit organisations is actually the kind of support and training and advice I was looking for all those years ago.
Gradually over time I managed to connect with other like-minded people who also had an interest in good governance practice, and I was able to build up a body of working knowledge for myself. I sat on more governing bodies in the not-for-profit sector, and took on more office bearer roles, and through those, I immersed myself in governance practice and exposed myself to more information. I also engaged with government regulators and other organisations, and tapped into their wealth of resources too. And of course the internet became much easier to use, with more and more information available to access.
And I’m still learning! This is part of the reason I continue to serve on not-for-profit boards…to keep myself up to date with legislative and best practice changes. And I continue to network widely, with others from all sorts of areas within the not-for-profit sector, and with people from all corners of the country, and overseas. All this networking is great for exposing myself to new ideas and different ways of doing things, and for keeping my curiosity fed.
So what feeds your curiosity? Are you a governance nerd like me, who is hungry to understand the how and why of good governance? Or maybe you are where I was 25 years ago, and you need the help and support, the training in good governance, and the other services I now provide for not-for profit organisations.
If you think I can help you or your organisation with good governance, then do get in touch with me on megan@mjbconsulting.net.au or 0421 525 048 to talk about what I might be able to do to help you.
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