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By Nick Koerbin
According to a recent Association Executive Services' webinar
with Jennifer Moltisanti from the Australian
Taxation Office,
most associations or not-for-profit organisations in Australia must soon review their governing documents as part of their self-assessment
process for claiming not-for-profit status.
💡 This includes your organisation's constitution, known as governing rules, memorandum of association, or charter. It is not just a set of
guidelines; it is a legal document, a contract, and its terms must always be adhered to by all members, including the Board.
💡 In the ever-evolving NFP sector, organisations often find themselves on a different trajectory. Their current objectives and activities
might not align with those stated in their constitutions. Regular reviews are not just important, they are crucial to ensure alignment.
💡Unfortunately, this is often one of the jobs that gets kicked down the road. The number of constitutions our consulting team has reviewed
that need to be updated or aligned with the organisation's direction and purpose is alarming.
💡We are noticing that some not-for-profit organisations are now fined by regulators for not complying with their constitutions.
💡If your constitution looks like it was written on a typewriter, it is time for an update.
However, it's not only constitutions written before the invention of the computer that would benefit from a review.
Updating your constitution is not just a task; it's a responsibility. It's an opportunity to ensure the document reflects contemporary legal
requirements and your current operations.
This can lead to better governance and a more effective organisation, and it's up to you to make it happen.
One of the most common — and often unexpected — challenges faced by association boards and leaders arises when a member develops a grievance against the organisation. In the association sector, this is not unusual. Most grievances begin with a concern or disagreement, but if not handled appropriately, they can escalate into a prolonged and disruptive issue.
Insights from the AES Technology Survey and Special Interest Group Discussion
Artificial Intelligence is now part of daily work for many association professionals.
Association Executive Services (AES) are soon to release its
annual report on technology in Australian Associations and recently facilitated a special interest group discussion on the use of AI in
participants' organisations.
The Challenge of Prorated Membership and Renewal Cycles
Anyone responsible for membership in an association understands this tension:
Do we renew members on the anniversary of their joining date, or operate on a single annual renewal date?
And if we operate on a single renewal date, how and when should prorated membership apply?
Here is a deeper exploration of each model — with practical examples drawn from real-world association operations.
How we help membership based, not-for-profit associations now and into the future.
