Expo and workshop for Rockhampton community organisations

Community-based organisations in the Rockhampton area will explore the best ways to manage operations within the not-for-profit sector at a combined expo and workshop tomorrow.

Communities and Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said the event, at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Conference Centre, would cover activities and topics to promote the importance of good governance within organisations.

“Good governance practices are the foundation for sustainability and success in all organisations, whatever their services and operations,” Mr Pitt said.

“Governance is about setting a clear vision and direction for an organisation, and establishing managerial structures and systems that enable it to achieve its immediate and long-term goals.”

Mr Pitt said the expo and workshop were targeted at senior staff, management committees and boards of local community-based organisations.

“There will be sessions on topics such as risk management, accountability and recruiting skilled committee members,” he said.

“A stall featuring a ‘governance doctor’ stall will also be available for organisations to seek confidential and expert advice about specific governance issues.”

The expo and workshop are being conducted by consultants Pamela Spall and Associates and the Bradfield Nyland Group as part of a governance pilot program currently underway in the Rockhampton area.

An initiative of the Queensland Government’s Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy, this program involves trialling capacity-building strategies for the boards and committees of community-based organisations and evaluating them for wider application across the state.

The program is jointly funded by the Department of Communities, Disability Services Queensland and Queensland Health.

Mr Pitt said community-based leaders and managers played a vital role in building the capacity of their organisations, maintaining their viability, and ensuring local needs were met.

“The expo and workshop offer them important opportunities to examine current governance issues facing non-government organisations and to expand their leadership and management skills.”

The expo and workshop will be held on Friday 10 August at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Conference Centre, corner of Bruce Highway and Yeppoon Road, Rockhampton, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280