Becoming a Charity Board Member: What You Should Know

Find out how to evaluate a charity before you commit to being a board member

Joining a charity board can be a fantastic way to channel your specific skills and connections into a worthy cause. Before you commit, it’s helpful to do a little research to check out what’s involved and if the charity is a good fit for you.

This two-week course is presented by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and will help you understand your duties as a board member and evaluate whether a registered charity is a good fit for you.

Unpack the obligations and responsibilities of a charity board

On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of an Australian charity including what a board must do. You’ll also get clear insights into the significance of an organisation’s reputation and the importance of managing conflicts of interest.

Learn how to investigate charities to see if they’re the right fit for you

Once you understand how a board’s roles and responsibilities work, and the impact that reputation has in the viability of of a charity, you’re ready to investigate these issues in real-life registered charities.

You’ll see how to evaluate key indicators that show you how a charity is performing.

Get expert advice from the Australian charity regulator

The Australian Charities and Not-for Profits Commission (ACNC) has years of experience in the charity sector, understands current laws, and provides guidance to registered charities on meeting their legal obligations. With all its insights, this course by the ACNC will give you invaluable guidance on what to look at before committing to join a charity board.

This course is designed for anyone who wants to use their passions, skills, and connections to do good. Whether you’re starting out your charitable career or are an existing board member, this course will help you assess if a charity is the right fit for you.

• Find out about the charity
• Welcome and introduction to researching a charity
• Get to know the charity's rules
• Check the charity's financial health
• Find out about the role and if it suits you
• Check if you have a conflict of interest
• Reputation matters
• Handling complaints properly
• Deciding whether to join the charity's board
• Next steps