Contents | 1. Introduction | 2. Life cycles | 3. Models | 4. The Board
5. Board review questionnaires | 6. Resources

Handbooks

The book of the Board. Third Edition. Effective Governance for Non-Profit Organisations. David Fishel. Federation Press, Sydney 2014.

Chapters including:

Highly recommended. An invaluable handbook for boards and board members of non-profit organisations. Written specifically for an Australian context.

Managing without Profit. Leadership, management and governance of third sector organisations in Australia. Mike Hudson. UNSW Press, Sydney 2009.

18 Chapters including:

Highly recommended. An invaluable handbook for boards and managers of non-profit organisations. Written specifically for an Australian context.

Nonprofit Boards That Work. The end of One-Size-Fits-All Governance. Maureen K Robinson. John Wiley & Sons, NY, 2001.

Chapters include:
1. Assigning value: Do Boards matter
2. Why one size won't fit all
3. Defining the role of the board
4. Boards that work: the structure of the work
5. Boards that work: the substance of the work
6. Building productivity through board culture
7. A working partnership: The executive director and the board
8. Saying yes twice: Engaging the individual board member
9. Fine-tuning the instrument

Nonprofit Boards: Roles, Responsibilities, and Performance. Diane J. Duca. John Wiley and Sons, NY, 1996

Chapters include:
1. Models of governance and Leadership
2. Accountability: A Board's Fiduciary Obligations
3. Structuring a Board for Maximum Effectiveness
4. Organising the Board's work
5. The Core responsibilities of a nonprofit board
6. Building a cooperative spirit
7. Effective Board meetings
8. Maintaining focus on mission
9. New challenges for nonprofit boards

Boards that make a difference: A new design for Leadership in Non-profit and public organisations. Third Edition John Carver. Jossey-Bass, 2006

This book introduced the Policy Governance model. It is essential reading for anyone wanting to implement the Carver model of governance.

Principles of Good Corporate governance and Best Practice Recommendations Australian Stock Exchange Corporate governance Council. 2003. Describes 10 corporate governance principles and how to achieve them:

1. Lay solid foundations for management and oversight
2. Structure the board to add value
3. Pr9mote ethical and responsible decision-making
4. Safeguard integrity in financial reporting
5. Make timely and balanced disclosure
6. Respect the rights of shareholders
7. Recognise and manage risk
8. Encourage enhanced performance
9. Remunerate fairly and responsibly
10. Recognise the legitimate interests of stakeholders

Legal responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities of Directors and Officers, 20th Edition. Robert Baxt. The Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2012.

Provides full details for the duties and responsibilities of directors including:

Practical help

NCOSS Templates and Resources for Management and Governance including:

• Information sheet: Board Delegations
• Information sheet: Board performance review
• Information sheet: Formal Collaboration and Governance
• Information sheet: Ethical Frameworks: Code of Ethics and Conduct
• Information sheet: Good governance

Governance resources

Non-Profit Governance and Management Centre

Governance & Management Pty Ltd is a service organisation committed to assisting nonprofit organisations increase their governance effectiveness.