The term 'governance' refers to a not-for-profit community organisation's board and its collective legal responsibility as an incorporated association, company limited by guarantee or cooperative.
Essential elements of good governance are:
- Good governance structure
- Good policies, processes and procedures
- The right mix of people on boards or committees of management.
Governance Capability Framework
The 'Community Sector Governance Capability Framework' describes the broad capabilities required by people on boards or committees of management in community sector organisations.
It provides board or committee members with a common language for the knowledge and skills that are critical for the stewardship of an organisation. It also includes knowledge and skills required for particular roles on the board, such as that of board chair.
Case studies on how to use the Governance Capability Framework
Organisations which have implemented components of the Governance Capability Framework and have agreed to share their experience in the case studies below.
These organisations were selected for their diversity to demonstrate the framework’s application to not-for-profit organisations, large and small, providing services to a cross section of Victorians. The report provides an overview of the key findings and a listing of organisations that provide governance resourcing, training and support to the not for profit sector.
Governance Capability Framework facilitators tools
The facilitators tools have been developed for use by a facilitator who could be:
- The board chair
- Another member of the board who has an interest in governance
- Someone brought in by the board to coordinate and assist a review of governance capabilities.