Congratulations to our Governance Essentials participants who graduated last week.

The program aimed to equip participants with a better understanding of management committee duties and responsibilities, boost their confidence, and enhance their leadership abilities as part of an ongoing effort to build resilient communities.

On the program, graduating participant Aimee Smith said, “This was the first formal governance training I’ve participated in after already being on management committees. As I was working through the course, I thought this is really useful when questions have come up in board meetings, especially to do with conflicts of interests and how to manage that in small communities.”

Aimee said, “Once you learn a bit more about how to do a job properly then you can actually fulfill that role better. So, I’m looking forward to taking what I know into our club governance training and then see where it goes personally and professionally later on.”

The 11 participants from across the state including Croydon, Hughenden, Mareeba and Camooweal actively engaged in the online lunch and learn sessions which were held over an 8-week period and covered Management Committee roles, duties, and responsibilities, as well as the rights and qualities of effective committee members. They also retain access to program resources, aiding them in their current or future committee roles.

Lisa Cook, Founder and Managing Director of Get On Board Australia who delivered the program said, “After participants complete the course, everyone feels a bit more confident they know how to do the role and it can make being a committee member more interesting, fun and less overwhelming.”

TNQ Drought Hub Program Lead Dr Jane Oorschot who facilitated the program alongside Lisa said “It was great to see a mixed group of participants involved in different things. In one of the early sessions there was a participant that was looking to return to work and this program was a part of their training to rebuild their confidence.”

The program emphasised the importance of good governance for successful community organizations and the development of capable leaders to enhance community outcomes.