In the dynamic landscape of New Zealand’s non-profit sector, good governance is not just a buzzword—it’s the cornerstone of organisational success and sustainability. Many well-meaning individuals step into trustee or officer roles in non-profits driven by a genuine desire to make a difference or to assist a friend or family Read more
Dr John Godfrey publishes a periodic blog, principally on fundraising matters. After an introduction, a recent blog starts: “The Third Sector in Aotearoa has significant size. It represents around 4% of GDP and about the same percent of the workforce. The workforce is larger than either Agriculture or Tourism, two Read more
With a number of charities struggling to survive, and news recently of a number closing down or seriously considering it (see note below), it was good to see some financial advice for charities recently posted from Andrew Austin of Jarden Wealth. The article starts: “Charities play a crucial role in Read more
A recent newsletter from RAINEY COLLINS LAWYERS discussed the above topic. The article starts: “There are some key differences between charitable trusts and incorporated societies. Which entity works best for you will depend on the type and goals of your organisation. Incorporated society An incorporated society is a membership-based organisation. Read more
In a recent newsletter, RAINEY COLLINS LAWYERS published an article with the above title. The article commences: “A Society, which was a registered charity, held an AGM for the purposes of voting on new officers as the term of some of the current officers had expired. A member was nominated Read more
Non-profit boards play a critical role in advancing the mission of the organisation and serving its constituents. To achieve these goals, board meetings need to be productive and effective. Here are some tips on how to run successful non-profit board meetings: Other Resources: What are the elements of a good Read more
Q. A member of our committee has suggested that we should take out D&O Insurance . We are a small charity with limited funds. Is such insurance worth it? A. Please note that we are not legal or financial experts but we would suggest that all insurance is a waste Read more
From the Charities Services Newsletter June 2024 Good governance and the Charities Act The Charities Act changed in 2023 and now there is a new requirement related to the governance of your charity. Charities will now need to review their governance every three years. When you come to file your Read more
Updated: 11 May 2024 Q: What is the difference between a Charitable Trust and an Incorporated Society? Which is best for me? The differences are clearly explained on the Registrar of Incorporated Societies website and on this very helpful blog post on the DIA Charities website. The Community Net Aotearoa Read more
(Note: In this article, the term “rules” is used in a general sense to refer to an organisation’s governing document – ie its rules, constitution, bylaws, trust deed etc and the term ‘charity/ies’ denotes any form of incorporated/registered non-profit)) Q: Can you give us guidance on winding up a charity Read more
BoardWorks website recently published a review of ” A Board Member’s Handbook for Small (and Very Small) Nonprofits” by Erik Handberg The review starts: “Aotearoa New Zealand has around 28,000 charities and another 24,000 incorporated societies. Many fit into the small or very small category consistent with this book’s title. Read more
Meetings – is moving and seconding legally required?