resourcesHow good are your legal resources?

The previous post discussed a number of issues associated with being a board member and briefly touched on some obligations and responsibilities.  One of the challenges facing small organisations in not only the ability to access or find current up to date information but to try and do it in a timely and cost effective manner as often obtaining legal advice and support can be very costly.

An organisation that helps to address this issue is Justice Connect who provides a range of pro bono legal services and resources for people experiencing disadvantage and the community organisations that support them.  In addition, they also provide legal advice and a wide range of resources for not for profit organisations.  Follow this link to the Justice Connect Not for Profit Law web portal to access these resources.

Once you open the link you will see a wide range of topics that include resources on the following:

  • Setting up your organisation and the type of structure you should use, whether you should be incorporated and the different types of incorporation.
  • The roles and responsibilities of the people who run your organisation and the difference between governance and management roles.
  • Raising income through promotions, events as well as fundraising activities often requires legal compliance such as licences or permits and this sections discusses these obligations in more detail.
  • Depending on the nature of your organisation there are a number of taxation requirements that can apply to your organisation. This section provides information as well as links in relation to the goods and services tax, fringe benefits tax, income tax as well as deductible gift recipient status.
  • Whether you are the treasurer or a board member there are a number of statutory financial reporting requirements that you must understand and comply with.  Furthermore, this section also includes information in relation to what to do if things start to go wrong and you may be heading towards insolvency.   

These are just some of the resources and information that the Justice Connect Not for Profit Law web portal contains but there is so much more.  As a board member you should take the time to review this information and where necessary identify areas that may need to be improved or changed in relation to how your organisation is governed.