CHARTERED Secretaries Australia has launched an initiative to improve standards and efficiency in the not-for-profit sector.
CSA WA state manager Leigh Grant said there was a clear need within the sector to do more than just practice good governance.
“This NFP governance initiative is of particular significance for NFP organisations, and especially charities, to instill confidence in NFPs as to how they balance their service objectives and their fiduciary duties, and within the community as to how NFPs are governed,” she said.
“We understand the importance for NFPs of developing the skills of their directors and senior staff so they can show stakeholders that their organisations are managed prudently, and that the allocation of resources is aligned with the values of the organisation.”
Brightwater Care Group chief executive Penny Flett launched the initiative and said it would help business executives negotiate the “extremely complex” NFP sector where people “seem to speak a different language”.
Dr Flett said NFPs started small, often in response to a need, but underwent a metamorphosis when they grew into a larger outfit.
“It is a big re-organisation and alignment of processes to focus on sustainable outcomes, stepping up to modern business behaviour and expectations. Governance is an important part of that,” she said.