As a not-for-profit, are you clear on who your customers and beneficiaries are? In my experience, those that are clear on this perform better overall in terms of sustaining their organisation and delivering long-term impact. In this video we’ll discuss customers and beneficiaries from both a for-profit and non-profit viewpoint. It’s useful to reflect on how they're different and why that might be a consideration for you. Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit our website rightsource.com.au If...

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.   Connect with me on LinkedIn or...

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. Connect with me on LinkedIn or...

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...

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...

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.   Connect with me on...

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...

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...

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 video 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...

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...

We are often asked if we help with NFP Boards that are performing poorly, and this often leads to some interesting conversations.  The most common being what defines a poor performing Board and how you accurately judge poor performance. In my experience, looking into poor Board performance can be a very subjective exercise. Here I discuss some insights about how to identify poor Board performance, as well as what can help assist the Board to improve and serve the organisation’s...

The history of director independence and how we have dealt with conflicts in the past, can assist and guide us in the future. How do you determine director independence in your NFP, and should you? There are unique considerations for NFPs, because they are set up by people who have a personal interest from the start, for example they been affected by an illness in some way or are heavily invested in a cause. So there is intrinsically, a conflict. Here I discuss what to look out for when...

Have you considered the Federated Model structure for your NFP?  This week we continue the topic of Federated Models and discuss the benefits and opportunities.  I also deliver thoughts on when and why, NFPs don't merge.  While federated models can be a joy for some and frustrating for others, it is important to obtain clarity on your structure requirements.  The points raised here will aid the conversation, however if you have questions about federated model structures or NFP Governance,...

You can create a powerful decision making structure with a dynamic of three. This week we continue on the topic of NFPs and structure, and focus on the dynamics of the Chair, CEO and Secretary.  Regardless of whether you outsource a secretary or hire internally, there are some important factors to consider when it comes to setting up an optimal NFP structure with a dynamic team of three.  I discuss the roles of CEO vs Secretary, who reports to the CEO/Chair, and more. Connect with me on...

This week we continue with the topic of NFP structures. What are the implications of having an NFP subsidiary?  What should you be aware of when thinking of having a subsidiary?  In this video I discuss subsidiary structures, how they can occur, what are the implications and the importance of paying attention to the element of ‘control’. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ho... for for more information visit https://www.rightsource.com.au #companysecretary...

As an NFP with a federated model structure, there are a couple of things to be aware of to ensure success and maintain a meaningful impact.  What are federated models and how are they efficient?  While federated models can be a joy for some and frustrating for others, it is important to effectively maintain structure to ensure success. If there is frustration or a lack of clarity, there needs to be a process to resolve it efficiently and effectively, so everyone is working together as a...

The NDIS has impacted the not-for-profit space in many ways. One of the challenges for organisations that have fully embraced the NDIS, is the allocation of funding. In this video I discuss how you might tackle this strategically, by suggesting a clear separation of your purpose and your allocation of funding. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-hogg-right-source/ or visit https://www.rightsource.com.au #companysecretary #notforprofit #boardmeeting #governance...

The NDIS has ushered in a rapid growth of the not-for-profit space. There are strategies and capabilities to consider when turnover grows from 1 to 10 million, or 10 to 50 million, within two or three years. In this video I discuss how organisations, boards, and CEOs might evolve to successfully maintain their rapid growth. I also include the challenges that can present, because the roles and considerations, are very different. Connect with me on LinkedIn...

Not-for-profit CEO transition is topic that has come up a lot in the past 12 months.   Most people agree there are two undeniable truths regarding the CEO, they are the most pivotal and key personnel in the organisation, and one day the CEO will inevitably leave the organisation. Has your board identified a process for when your CEO moves on?    In this video I discuss what your board needs to consider when managing this process. Connect with me on LinkedIn...

One of the new requirements for ACNC is increased disclosure - related party transactions.  While compliance is important, in this video I focus on understanding related party transactions from a governance perspective specifically why and how to implement these changes. Related party transactions are similar in principle to managing conflict of interest, openness, and clarity.  By taking a step-by-step approach you will create alignment in your organisation, alignment that only governance...

This is the fourth in the series on governance and culture.  Culture is important and it’s something the board need to be aware of and actively managing.  In this video I discuss how understanding governance tools, can help you affect the culture of the organisation.  Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ho... or visit https://www.rightsource.com.au

This is the third in the series on governance and culture. Goals have to incorporate: vision, expectations, accountability and responsibility. Watch my video to see how these lead to the alignment of goals and how this helps you manage culture. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-hogg-right-source/ or visit https://www.rightsource.com.au

Legacy is something you leave behind. Will you leave behind something of value from your time on a not-for-profit board? How can you protect your legacy? Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-hogg-right-source/ or visit https://www.rightsource.com.au