Clarifying Roles Between Boards and Managers in Small NZ Charities Blurred lines between governance and management remain one of the most common and least openly addressed sources of tension and inefficiency in small NZ charities, particularly as organisations grow beyond purely volunteer-led models. In many small charities, the question of Read more
When “Good Practice” Becomes Too Much: Managing Compliance Overload in Small NZ Charities Running a small non-profit (“charity”) in New Zealand has never been simple—but in recent years, many organisations have found the burden quietly slipping from “doing good” to “keeping up.” What used to be a manageable set of Read more
Q. I am a member of an incorporated society. I have asked both the secretary and the president, at various times, for the opportunity to speak at a general meeting of the society. Each time, this has been denied. what are (in general) my rights? A. Under the Incorporated Societies Read more
We are grateful to our friends at GRANT THORNTON NEW ZEALAND who have alerted us to an IRD discussion document which could potentially have major ramifications for a wide variety of “mutual associations” including incorporated societies that are not also registered NZ charities. -o0o- Inland Revenue has just released a 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
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
ImpactLab have published a report with insights into the Charitable sector in New Zealand. The report explores the “Social Return” on investment in the sector across NZ. The Executive Summary of the Report starts: “Funders and charities across Aotearoa have diverse interests, backgrounds and approaches. But they share a common Read more
The Charities Act 2005 has been amended by the Charities Amendment Bill, which came into force on 5 July 2023. There are a wide range of changes for charities to be aware of. DIA Charities advise that they will keep updating their website with information about the changes and when they will affect Read more
Inspiring and motivating a non-profit team to achieve a shared vision requires a combination of effective leadership, clear communication, fostering a positive work environment, and recognising and appreciating their contribution. Inspiring and motivating a team is an ongoing process. Regularly assess the effectiveness of your strategies, listen to your team’s Read more
In a recent post, Barry Baker advised that non-profit organisations should periodically review their policy documents. Following that post, we received a question about how policies should be presented. There is no right way to present a policy document and each organisation will have its own procedures. An organisation’s policy Read more
“Starting a charity is an act of generosity that can bring hope, comfort, and joy to those in need.” Introduction Are you considering starting your own charity? It is important to recognize that this can be a highly rewarding and impactful experience. However, it is also crucial to understand the Read more