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A Comprehensive Overview: the strengths and weaknesses of the current model and the range of options in Australia and in

Keynote Speaker. A Comprehensive Overview: the strengths and weaknesses of the current model and the range of options in Australia and internationally. Associate Professor Jo Barraket Australian Centre of Philanthropy & Non profit Studies Queensland University of Technology.

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A Comprehensive Overview: the strengths and weaknesses of the current model and the range of options in Australia and in

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  1. Keynote Speaker A Comprehensive Overview: the strengths and weaknesses of the current model and the range of options in Australia and internationally Associate Professor Jo Barraket Australian Centre of Philanthropy & Non profit Studies Queensland University of Technology

  2. Community Sector Governance:Strengths, Weaknesses, & Alternatives Jo Barraket, The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

  3. What we know about nonprofit governance • Board effectiveness → organisational effectiveness • No single ‘best model’ of governance • Operating environment significantly influences governance choices and evolution • Emphasis has been on organisational governance rather than NFP contributions to governance more widely

  4. Different perspectives on governance • Functional – focus on instrumental functions of board, management and other stakeholders • Interpretive – focus on board as ‘sense makers’ of organisation • Political – focus on relations of power within boards and between boards and other stakeholders

  5. Australian Nonprofit Board Composition – the available evidence • Predominately volunteers • Predominately non-executive • Predominately women (dependent on form of incorporation) • Predominately 40-65 years old • Over-representation of professionals • Larger on average than for-profit boards

  6. Importance and Competence in Board Functions Source: Nicholson et al 2008

  7. Current Approaches to Governance

  8. Strengths & Opportunities of Current Approaches • Connectedness to citizenry (sometimes!) • Diversity and adaptation to context • Access to embedded network resources • Relatively strong knowledge of management and legal responsibilities (mostly self-reported) • Giving voice to collective human aspirations

  9. Weaknesses & Challenges of Current Approaches • Relatively high board turnover • Impacts of market models of governing • Growth in compliance culture • Lack of incentives for participation (?) • Demographic and technological changes • Limited engagement with parts of the citizenry

  10. Alternative Models of Governance Source: Bradshaw et al, no date

  11. Conclusions • ‘Strengths’ & ‘weaknesses’ are relative and contingent on what we think community sector organisations are for • Operating context and organisational purpose matter • No ideal model, but core functions • Governance considerations need to include questions about: • Composition • Function • Role and purpose

  12. Resources for Board Self-Assessment ACPNS Developing Your Board Wiki https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/CPNS/DYB+Home

  13. References • Bradshaw, P., Hayday, B., Armstrong, R., Levesque, J., Rykert, L. (no date) Nonprofit Governance Models: Problems and Prospects http://www.aota.org/Governance/ProceduralAdHoc/Handouts/Model.aspx accessed 17/11/10 • Hough, A., McGregor Lowndes, M. & Ryan, C. (2006) ‘The Training Grounds of Democracy? Social Trends and Nonprofit Governance’ Working Paper No. CPNS31, Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. • Nicholson, G., Newton, C. & McGregor Lowndes, M. (2008) Governance training needs in Community Organisations, Just Policy 49, December 2008: 5-12. • Steane, P. And Christie, M. (2001) ‘Nonprofit Boards in Australia: a distinctive governance approach’, Corporate Governance 9 (1): 48-58. • Woodward, S. And Marshall, P. (2004) A better framework: reforming not-for-profit regulations Centre for Corporate Law and Securities Regulation, University of Melbourne, Melbourne

  14. Morning Tea Morning Tea will be served in the lounge area directly behind the auditorium The next conference session will begin at 11:00am

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