Policy-making is not a ‘paint-by-numbers‘ process. Being clear about the structural elements of an organisational policy however, helps both policy writers and users to focus their attention on the purposes served and outcomes sought from working within the policy guidance. This post follows on from my two previous posts on Organisational Policy, and is effectively… Continue reading Elements of organisational policy
Tag: governance policies
Policy Precedents: Benefits and Risks
Precedent Benefits The blank policy page can be as intimidating as any blank ‘canvas’ facing an author. Organisational policy writers working within an existing ‘policy culture’ will doubtless have templates, and perhaps even a ‘policy on policy-making’ (see links below) to guide them. Many smaller non-profit organisations, however, may not have reached that level of… Continue reading Policy Precedents: Benefits and Risks
Proactive risk management – expanding your ‘circle of control’
The first of the 7 Habits recommended by Dr Stephen R Covey in his classic self-development reference is to be proactive. “Anytime we think the problem is ‘out there,’ that thought is the problem. We empower what’s out there to control us…The proactive approach is to change from the inside out: to be different, and… Continue reading Proactive risk management – expanding your ‘circle of control’
The shared purpose mirror: Ideal decision and execution triangles
It has been widely recognised that good governance decisions involve identification of the ‘sweet spot’ where cost, risk, and benefit trade-offs can be achieved. A ‘mirror’ set of balancing factors is involved however when management is charged with implementation of those decisions – as illustrated above. Best practice strategy execution requires management to identify the… Continue reading The shared purpose mirror: Ideal decision and execution triangles
Purpose + Principles = Policies and Procedures
Not-for-profit directors generally understand that part of their governance role involves setting policies to guide the actions of office bearers, staff, and volunteers. However, not all of them have understood the importance of capturing the principles underpinning the policy in question. For the purposes of this article, the policies we are considering are ‘governance policies‘… Continue reading Purpose + Principles = Policies and Procedures
Governance for Grown-ups
As long as a story involves magical beings, hidden treasures and/or an heroic journey, children are rapt and fully engaged. As soon as a storyteller shifts the focus to moral instruction, their eyes glaze over and they seek other engagements. The rewards of work and responsibility are not generally appreciated, and the benefits of building… Continue reading Governance for Grown-ups
Social license to operate an NFP entity
While The Age article by Louise White ‘CSIRO is tackling corporate trust issue, starting with mining‘ (18/6) is mainly about how mining companies can more effectively engage with communities affected by their proposed developments, it spurred me to have another look at the concept of the ‘social license to operate’ (SLO) as it applies to… Continue reading Social license to operate an NFP entity
Learning from others’ mistakes Part 5 – Codes of Conduct missing key elements
The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) published a report today which asserts that ‘poor corporate culture is linked to weaknesses in codes of conduct and whistleblowing systems’ within ASX200 companies. While the report focuses on large corporations in the for-profit sector, more and more not-for-profit organisations have been aligning their governance standards with ASX Governance expectations… Continue reading Learning from others’ mistakes Part 5 – Codes of Conduct missing key elements
Learning from others’ mistakes Part 4 – Red Cross and Plan International
Hard on the heels of the Oxfam admissions last week, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Plan International have also uncovered sexual misconduct by some of their staff. ICRC director-general Yves Daccord issued a statement on 23 February, advising that 21 staff members have resigned or been fired since 2015 after violating policy by paying for… Continue reading Learning from others’ mistakes Part 4 – Red Cross and Plan International
Data breach prevention and incident response
If you are a not-for-profit organisation with over $3 million in turnover, then you will doubtless be aware that today marks the first day of the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) Scheme. This means you now have new obligations to notify affected parties and the OAIC in the event of a breach. The Office of the… Continue reading Data breach prevention and incident response