This document summarizes a workshop on governance for community legal centers. The workshop covered topics such as the role of management committees, strategic planning, managing risks, and governance policies. It discussed tools for governance including constitutions, policies, and guidelines available from organizations like VOICE and Indigenous Governance Toolkit. The summary emphasized that governance is about leadership, decision-making, and having the best systems in place to aid an organization.

1. Saturday, 6 April 2013
Presented
by
Gerard Byrne B Com FCPA FAIM
Volunteering North Queensland

2. Session Topics
Community Legal Centres
Corporate Governance Handbook
Constitution

4. Governance Workshop 2013
Community Legal Centres
Understanding the Role of the Management Committee
(200 in Australia)
Making it Work – Support for the Management
Committee
Resource Section

5. Governance Workshop 2013
Understanding the Role of the Management
Committee
Monitor activities and feedback
Advocate on behalf of the community
Act honestly and in good faith

6. Governance Workshop 2013
Management Committee Members
Prepare for meetings
Attend meetings regularly
Undertake training (pp18)

7. Governance Workshop 2013
Annual Report (key Governance tool)
Services
Number of advices given
Casework and number of file opened (pp18)

8. Governance Workshop 2013
Strategic Planning
Why Plan?
Identifying a strategy
Key points when planning for the centre (pp 30)

9. Governance Workshop 2013
Managing Risks
Financial Risk
Organisational Risk
Associations Liability Insurance (pp 35)

10. Governance Workshop 2013
Managing Complaints
Complaints by staff and volunteers
Clients by clients
Legal Complaints

11. Governance Workshop 2013
Roles
Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary

12. Governance Workshop 2013
Management Committee Meetings
Purpose
Agenda
Outcomes (pp 55)

13. Governance Workshop 2013
Governance Policy
A Governance Policy is intended to clarify the centre’s
Constitution by making explicit the underlying principles of
governance approved by the membership of the centre.
This policy does not cover legal or ethical issues
concerning the role of the Management Committee
members (pp 75).

14. Governance Workshop 2013
Constitution
Existing Constitution
Changes to Constitution
Australian Charities and Non-Profit Commission

15. Governance Workshop 2013
Existing Constitution
Objects
Powers
Register of Members

16. Governance Workshop 2013
Where do obtain Governance tools
VOICE Program
Indigenous Governance Toolkit
Ourcommunity

17. Governance Workshop 2013
Summary
Governance is about leadership and decision making in an
organisation. Doing the “right thing”.
Therefore, Governance is about having the best leadership
team possible.
Governance is also about having the best systems and
processes in place to aid decision making (VOICE).

18. Questions?
Thank you for your attendance at this session
Need further help?
Volunteering North Queensland
www.volunteeringnthqld.org.au
Townsville City Council
www.townsville.qld.gov.au