1. Easy to Understand Governance - Side By Side Advocacy 1. Easy to Understand Governance - Side By Side Advocacy

1. Easy to Understand Governance

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Side by Side Advocacy

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Course Overview

Welcome to the course.

This training is about governance. Governance is the work boards do, and how they make sure organisations run well.
It is written in Easy Read and plain English. It is written to help people with intellectual disability understand how boards work. It may also help anyone who finds reading English hard.

It is good to ask someone to support you to do this training. They can help you understand the information. You can also talk to them about it.

Disclaimer:

This training has been created to help people with intellectual disability understand the most important parts of organisational governance and being a Board member—so they can participate, contribute, and carry out their responsibilities with confidence.

This training is not intended to replace full governance training. The content is based on governance information that is already publicly available, with key governance topics explained in plain English. It is also not a substitute for professional advice, legal advice, financial advice, or formal Board training.

Every organisation is different. Board members should also follow their organisation’s constitution, policies, and any relevant laws, and seek support when needed.

What You'll Learn?

  • What governance means
  • How an organisation is run
  • What a board member does
  • How board meetings work
  • How to check that organization is managing their money
  • About rules and laws that organisations have to follow
  • About risk, how to prepare for risk and what could go wrong
  • About your rights as a board member

Course Content

  • Start here

    • Introduction

    • Instructions - For PowerPoint slides

  • Module 1 - Understanding governance

    • Module 1 - Introduction

    • What is Governance

    • Your main role as a Board member

    • Why is it important to join a Board

    • Other ways to contribute

    • Module 1 - Quiz - Understanding Governance

    • Module 1 - Downloadable Resources

    • Module 1 - Words to know (Understanding Governance)

  • Module 2 - Board member legal duties

    • Module 2 - Introduction

    • Duty 1 - Do you job properly

    • Duty 2 - Do the right thing for the organisation

    • Duty 3 - Don’t use your role for your benefit

    • Duty 4 - Organisation interest above personal interest

    • Duty 5 - Look after money well

    • Duty 6 - Do not operate if insolvent.

    • Module 2 - Quiz (Legal duties)

    • Module 2 - Downloadable Resources (Roles & Responsibilities)

    • Module 2 — Words to know (Roles & Responsibilities)

  • Module 3 - How Board meetings work

    • Module 3 - Introduction

    • 3.1 Pre-meeting Preparation

    • 3.2 Understanding Board Papers

    • 3.3 What Happens in a Board Meeting

    • 3.4 How Decisions are Made

    • 3.5 Boardroom Etiquette

    • Module 3 — Words to know (Board meetings)

  • Module 4 - Reading and understanding financial statements

    • Module 4 - Introduction

    • Importance of financial understanding

    • Understanding financial reports

    • Treasurer's report

    • Profit and Loss report

    • Balance sheet

    • The budget

    • Cash flow statement

    • Module 4 — Words to know (Financial reports)

  • Module 5 - Following the laws

    • Module 5 - Introduction

    • Being a not-for-profit or charity

    • Funding agreements

    • Employment

    • Workplace Health and Safety

    • Module 5 — Words to know (Legal responsibilities)

  • Module 6 - Risk Management

    • 6.1 Types of risk and examples

    • 6.2 How the Board Manages Risk

    • 6.3 Questions to ask to understand risks

    • Module 6 — Words to know (Risk management)

  • Module 7 - Your Rights as a Board Member

    • 7.1 Right to Information

    • 7.2 Right to Safe and Accessible Meetings

    • 7.3 Right to Training and Support

    • 7.4 Right to Ask Questions

    • Module 7 — Words to know (Your rights)

  • Module 8 - Things to think about before going on a Board

    • 8.1 Conflict of Interest

    • 8.2 Potential liability

    • 8.3 Time and effort needed

    • 8.4 Getting ready for a board position

    • Module 8 — Words to know (Before joining a Board)

  • Module - Insolvent trading

    • What “insolvent” means

    • Your governance duty

    • Common warning signs of insolvency

    • What to do if your organisation is at risk of insolvent

Free
  • Course Level Experts
  • Lessons 58
  • Enrolled 3
  • Additional Resource 0
  • Last Update July 27, 2026