Enrol now · Self-paced · Certificate included
What Every Board Director Needs to Know
The complete practical governance course for new and aspiring association and NFP board directors in Australia. Built on 15+ years of frontline experience — more practical, more association-specific.
55
Lessons
13
Modules
34
Templates
10h+
CPD Hours
The curriculum — 13 modules, 55 lessons
0
Welcome & Orientation
Why this course exists, your learning roadmap, and the fillable course workbook.
FreeGovernance Self-AssessmentToolCourse Workbook
1
The Director Mindset
From manager to director, the three core governance functions, and the failure modes to avoid.
ToolNew Director Pre-Meeting Checklist
2
Your Legal Duties
The four core duties under ss 180–184, personal liability, conflicts, and insolvent trading.
ToolAustralian Legal Framework Cheat Sheet
3
How Boards Actually Work
Board roles, the annual governance calendar, and reading board papers with a governance eye.
ToolAnnual Board Governance Calendar
4
Strategy — Your Most Important Job
What strategy means at board level, the ten oversight questions, and monitoring without micromanaging.
ToolBoard Strategy Oversight Questions
5
Reading the Financials
The three financial statements, the five health indicators, and reserves and concentration risk.
ToolFive Financial Health IndicatorsToolAssociation P&L Example
6
Risk — What You're Really Responsible For
Risk oversight versus management, setting risk appetite, and the questions that separate oversight from rubber-stamping.
ToolBoard Risk Register Template
7
The CEO Relationship Unique
The delegations framework, the governance lifecycle of hiring and evaluating the CEO, and the performance review.
ToolCEO Performance Review FrameworkToolCEO Delegations Framework
8
Conflicts of Interest
What a conflict really is, the four-step management process under s 191, and the association-specific grey areas.
ToolConflict of Interest Declaration
9
Meetings, Minutes & Board Papers
Preparation discipline, the legal function of minutes under s 251A, and designing governance agendas.
ToolBoard Meeting Preparation ChecklistToolMinutes Quality Checklist
10
Membership & Member Value Unique
The member accountability chain, the board’s role in membership strategy, and the AGM done properly.
ToolAGM Preparation Checklist
11
AI & the Modern Board Unique
AI governance for directors now, your oversight duties under the Privacy Act, and starting the board conversation.
ToolBoard AI Governance Checklist
12
When Things Go Wrong
Governance-failure warning signs, financial crisis under s 588G, the reputational response, and whistleblower protections.
ToolCrisis Governance Checklist
13
Your First 90 Days
Your first ninety days on the board — what to read, who to meet, and how to add value from your very first meeting.
ToolDirector First 90 Days Plan
✓
End of Course — Assessment & Certificate
A short end-of-course assessment, then your CPD-eligible Certificate of Completion — with lifetime access to revisit any module.
