Key Takeaways from Session #1

1. Know what your organisation’s purposes are- Your purposes are the foundation and your organisation exists to advance those purposes.

2. The purposes can be located in the organisation’s founding document and can generally be found in the early clauses.

3. Centre back to why your organisation was set up and what it is here for

4. The organisation’s founding document will often inform on how to amend the purposes – Some old documents will not include an amendment clause and a new document will need to be made – It is best practise not to completely alter your purposes – Get legal input if you do decide to alter the organisation’s purposes – All legal documents should be updated to be modern, accurate and reflect what the organisation does

5. The board is responsible for ensuring the organisations rules are up to date with the law. The board is the brain that leads the organisation to the future

6. Consider having an induction pack for new members so that they are aware of the organisation’s rules and purposes. Also consider having the purpose statement front and centre (e.g. in your organisation’s agenda)

7. Be friends with you rules- stay familiar. Know where they are, what they say and operate consistently with them.