2. Governance & Committee Management
Strong structures support better decisions
Good governance helps your organisation remain accountable, transparent and focused on its purpose.
It is not simply about having policies and holding meetings. Good governance creates a culture where people understand their responsibilities, decisions are properly made and recorded, risks are considered and the organisation plans for its future.
Good governance includes
- clearly defined committee roles and responsibilities
- effective meetings and Annual General Meetings
- accurate agendas, minutes and action lists
- managing conflicts of interest
- appropriate policies and procedures
- transparent decision-making
- strategic oversight
- succession planning
- regular review of organisational performance and risks.
Helpful resources and templates
- Australian Charities and not-for-profits Commission
- Not for Profit Law
- Institute of Company Directors
- Australian Institute of Sport
- Australian Sports Commission
Quick tips
- Provide an induction for new committee members.
- Keep an action list alongside meeting minutes.
- Record important decisions and conflicts of interest.
- Review key policies regularly.
- Start succession planning before long-serving committee members leave.
- Maintain a simple annual governance calendar listing meeting dates, the AGM, reporting deadlines, policy reviews, insurance renewals and committee succession activities.