committee management

Whether you’re looking to take on the role of Secretary at your local kindergarten or become a Board member, our Committee Management Program will give you the skills to pursue these roles with confidence.

The Committee Management Program is an online professional development course that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to undertake the diverse roles and responsibilities of the executive committee and board members.

In this online course, you will develop your administrative skills and gain an understanding of the broader context in which committees and boards operate.

On completion of this online course, you will have acquired the skills and competencies required to operate effectively as a committee member or as part of a board member.

Learning Outcomes 

In this committee management course, you’ll discover the foundations of managing a committee with professionalism and ease. 

• Organising schedules 
• Meeting management 
• Write, design and produce documents 
• Legislation
• Organisational values and beliefs
• What does the board do?
• Role descriptions
• Legal responsibilities
• Organisation function and board roles
• Corporations law
• Corporate governance
• Relationships and conduct
• Ethics
• Shareholders
• Charters policies and procedures
• Reports and operations
• Boards meetings
• Reviewing the board
• Companies
• Constitutions
• Components of a constitution
• Incorporated organisations
• Publicly listed organisations
• Funding agreements
• Terms of agreement
• Key stakeholders and political issues
• STEEP analysis
• Economic trends
• Community and stakeholder needs
• Change
• Community feedback
• Board decisions

 

3 Benefits of Committee Management Experience 

If you’re ever considered joining a committee, you might wonder about the opportunity to learn new skills. Committee management can offer a fantastic experience to gain insight into how an organisation operates.

What is the Management Committee? 

First, you might wonder what you’re getting yourself into! A management committee is a group of people who operate on behalf of a company or organisation to ensure its smooth operation.

The main roles that a management committee performs include managing financial affairs, ensuring company objects and purpose are met and adhering to compliance with legal requirements.

So, Why Join a Management Committee? 

People join management committees for many different personal or professional reasons, such as supporting a charity they’re passionate about, gaining valuable professional development skills or increasing their professional network.

1. Championing a Cause 

What are you passionate about? If you have a passion for an issue in the community or feel strongly about raising money for a charity, then becoming a member of a committee is rewarding.

2. Professional Development 

As part of a management committee, you’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills – particularly in leadership.

You can start in smaller community groups, sporting clubs or associations to gain confidence and experience and then set you sights even high as you learn important professional development skills.

3. Networking 

Management committees meet regularly and offer the opportunity to expand your professional and personal network. It’s an excellent way to meet like-minded people who share your passion and desire to improve professionally. 

 

Roles & Responsibilities of a Management Committee 

A management committee (sometimes referred to as a Board) must have at least three members, including a president, Secretary (for associations) and a treasurer. The ultimate responsibility of a management committee is to direct the activity of an organisation or association to deliver on outcomes. 

An overview of the primary responsibilities of the management committee include:

Vision and Purpose 

It is the role of the committee to ensure that the vision, values and purpose of an organisation or association are upheld.  

Financial Management 

Ensuring the proper management of all monies, property and resources in the best interest on the organisation or association via suitable up-to-date systems is a critical role of the committee. 

Accountability 

Accountability for spending and all activities carried out by the organisation or association is an important role. The committee is accountable to members and key stakeholders, such as funders. 

Legal Responsibility  

Compliance with legal and regulatory bodies should be a principal responsibility, which includes conforming with an organisation or association’s governing documents. 

Managing Staff & Volunteers 

Committee members act as employers on behalf of an organisation or association and as such take responsibility for recruitment and management of staff and volunteers.

The following is a brief overview of the types of responsibilities expected of each management committee member. 

President 

The President plays a significant role in general meetings. They must chair every meeting that is scheduled or request that another member sits as acting chair.  

Secretary 

The Secretary’s duties include keeping a register of members; writing letters, emails or other essential documents; flagging urgent matters; taking nominations for committee members; scheduling meetings and taking the minutes. 

Treasurer 

The Treasurer is responsible for the financial matters of an association, such as keeping an asset register; managing petty cash; documenting payments such as receipts, invoices and statements; maintaining deposit and cheque books and keeping all financial records. 

 

Are you interested in becoming a committee member? Or do you plan on joining a Board? If so, study our Committee Management Program and gain foundation knowledge to develop skills in committee management.