Articles

Guarding the Mission - How Small Governance Lapses Erode Trust

Strong board governance is central to organisational effectiveness, accountability, and long-term sustainability. Across corporate and not-for-profit sectors, boards are responsible for strategic …

Confessions of a Risk Practitioner

I’ve probably been a risk practitioner my entire life - I don’t do roller coasters or bungee jumping; I don’t gamble or smoke. In other words, I’m pretty risk adverse, and …

Membership and Governance Design – Director Members

Key take-aways: The director/member model is less costly, enables quick and efficient decision making, contained issue management, ease of reporting and simplicity of meetings and done carefully, …

The end of heroic leadership and the rise of empowerment

Written in response to the theme of the 2025 Better Boards Conference, Superheroes: Doing More with Less, Deborah Johnston points out how the attributes needed to lead an organisation under …

A Governance Work Plan for Responsible AI Adoption in Not-for-Profits

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more accessible, not-for-profit organisations across Australia are experimenting with tools that can improve efficiency, strengthen community engagement, and …

Navigating Leadership in the Not-for-profit Sector - Balancing Virtue and Compliance

Working in the not-for-profit sector presents unique challenges. These organisations, dedicated to societal impact, must adhere to strict regulations, from securing grants to maintaining charity …

Are you treating impact as a by-product of what you do, or a critical input into your decision-making?

How a wellbeing approach to social impact will help you get the most out of your measurement. The pressure to demonstrate impact across all sectors is growing. Driven by consumer, staff and investor …

Common Accounting Terms for Not-for-profit Organisations

Having a good level of financial understanding can enable an organisation’s board members to make better decisions about the financial future of the organisation they serve. Understanding common …

Why Succession Planning Should Be Your Board's Superpower

Leadership transitions–whether of the CEO or chair–can have a profound impact on an organisation. Poorly managed transitions may lead to strategic drift, cultural misalignment, and loss of confidence. …

Preparing Your NFP Organisation to be 'Merger Fit' in Challenging Times

Co-authored with Felicity Iredale and Portia Pascuzzi. Mergers between not-for-profit (NFP) organisations are increasingly being considered due to current economic and regulatory challenges. This is …