Governance 101 Workshop with Sandy Thompson

LEAD, Centre for Not-for-Profit Governance and Leadership, works with individuals, boards and entire organisations to ensure not for profit organisations are well managed and led. Organisations and community groups that are well governed are better able to thrive no matter what.

In this FREE session we will cover the following topics:

  1. What is governance?
  2. Types of boards
  3. Roles, responsibilities and functions of boards
  4. Staff & management relationships
  5. Legalities and accountabilities

The workshop is fully interactive - no boring lectures! Our approach to good governance is based on a “no one size fits all” philosophy. We will explore best practice models within the context of your own group and community, and to develop governance process that enable you to deliver on your specific mission.

The session is at no cost to participants and includes a light supper. Participant spaces are limited so please RSVP to matthewr@nukuora.org.nz as soon as possible.

 

 

Governance

Good governance is critical to building strong organisations and delivering quality opportunities for participants across our region. Success starts at the top, and we know that most people in governance roles across our region are volunteers. 

People volunteer to do good work. The resources on this page are designed to help your board do exactly that and ensure that members get enjoyment and satisfaction from their efforts and the time they give generously.

On this page you will find: 

Are you looking to gain governance experience? Get in touch now and register your interest in receiving additions guidance for aspiring directors.

For further guidance on governance development in your organisation, please email our Community Development Team at info@nukuora.org.nz

Guides, templates, and examples 

Nuku Ora acknowledges that the majority of sport and recreation organisations have no or very few paid staff. Therefore, many boards are wearing many hats at once.

These short guides from Sport NZ explain that in any setting there is a distinct governance function to be performed and that is separate from your contribution as a volunteer helping with day-to-day matters. 

Introduction

Introduction and Terminology | guide 

What is this thing called Governance? | guide

The role of the Board | guide

What is policy? | guide | Board Charter and policies template

Cultural Understanding | guide 

Diversity and Inclusion | guide | Board gender diversity

Foundation documents

Strategic Plan | guide | template | example

Business Plan | guide | template 

The Constitution/Trust Deed| guide | Constitution template | Trust Deed template

Preparing a Budget | guide | template

People

Recruitment | guide | overview  

Role Descriptions | guide | President | Secretary | Treasurer | Health and Safety Coordinator

Skills Matrix | guide | template

Induction Programme | guide example

Inside the Boardroom

Insights-driven decision making | guide | tool

Making Meetings Count | guide 

The Agenda | guide | template 

The Minutes | guide | template | further info 

The Action Register | guide | template

The Annual Workplan | guide | template

Risk Management and Register | guide | template 

The AGM | guide | template

Integrity and Accountability 

Financial Accounts and Reporting | guide 

Conflicts of Interest | guide | register template | discloser template

Evaluating Meetings | guide | template 

Legal Compliance | guide

Stakeholders | guide

Online Governance 101 training 

A new introduction to governance course is now available on SportTutor. This course is entirely online and should take 2-3 hours to complete. The course covers six modules: 

  • What's my job? The role of the director
  • What's our job? The strategic role of the board
  • Who does the job? Recruiting and retaining the best people
  • Let's meet. Inside the boardroom
  • Who do we work for? Accountability, ethics and integrity
  • What's next? Actions and further resource

 The modules are relevant to the wider not-for-profit sector as they are broadly generic with limited sport specificity. Find out more here or enrol in the course now

Video toolkit for board chairs

A series of four videos, created by a group of organisations and community leaders to create resources to support people in board roles in community organisations.

The content for these videos was created with the input of more than 30 experienced board chairs, based on their experiences about what they wished they knew when they got their first chair role. 

The videos can be accessed here:

  1. Back to Basics 
    This first video is about getting back to basics.  They key things you need to know to get started as Chair – what the role is all about and how to chair a great meeting. 
  2. Board Dynamics
    This second video is about the dynamics around the board table and your role as Chair about ensuring the board gets on and gets working.
  3. Getting Strategic
    This third video is all about your role in helping your board be strategic and develop a great strategy.
  4. Focus on Process
    This fourth and final video is all about your role leading risk, compliance and other good board processes.

For more information about the National Action Plan for Community Governance, go to the Centre for Social Impact website

Board assessment and evaluation 

Sport New Zealand, in association with the Executive Coaching Centre (ECC), has developed an Online Governance Evaluation System (OGES) to provide boards with a comprehensive picture of governance effectiveness.

The assessment is aligned to the governance framework for the sport and recreation sector in New Zealand, and boards can work towards the achievement of the governance mark through the assessment. 

The assessment includes six modules: 

  • Whole-of-board evaluation– to assess the board's processes, outputs and behaviours as a team.
  • Chair evaluation to assess the chair's skills, performance and opportunities for development in the role.
  • Individual director evaluation to assess the director’s skills, performance and opportunities for development.
  • Senior team’s view of the board– to ensure the board and the executive team have a shared view of roles and expectations.
  • Nine Quick Questions – simple “are we on track?” test.
  • Custom question set – ability to create your own group of questions.

Find out more and start your assessment now

Nine steps to effective governance

A report and supporting materials designed to help sport and not-for-profit organisations improve governance structures. The steps include: 

  1. Get the right people on board
  2. Define and agree the board's role
  3. Employ and support a chief executive
  4. Provide strategic leadership
  5. Make board meetings count
  6. Stay on top of the governance role
  7. Develop the workplan
  8. Regularly review the board's performance
  9. Provide purposeful director induction

View the resource now

Aspiring Directors

Are you looking to gain governance experience? We can help provide some guidance.

Register your interest