NEW GUIDE OFFERS GOVERNANCE HELP TAILORED FOR INDIGENOUS BOARD MEMBERS

BY JULIENNE PRICE, HEAD OF SCHOOLS AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR BANKING, COMMONWEALTH BANK

I often talk about the importance of partnerships and the way they enable us to share experiences and information to better help others. This is not a new concept, especially for the not-for-profit sector, which leads the way in highlighting the benefits that flow when organisations work to support one another.

This partnership approach has been very much at the heart of the development of a new guide, Now You’re a Board Member: A practical guide for Indigenous board members, which forms part of the Community Smart series produced by Our Community, the Institute of Community Directors Australia and the Commonwealth Bank. Increasing board participation

Over the past few years we’ve seen a steady and welcome increase across Australia in the number of Indigenous-owned and -run businesses and organisations.

Now you’re a Board Member: A practical guide for Indigenous board members is intended as a starting point to support new or inexperienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander board members who are navigating the legally complex and at times culturally conflicting world of board membership. By community, for community The development of this guide would not have been possible without close consultation with and guidance from those Elders, Indigenous business leaders and community leaders who have all so generously shared their knowledge and insights into the complexities and challenges Indigenous board members can face.

The artwork in Now You’re a Board Member is based on an original design by artist Daikota Nelson, a proud Dja Dja Wurrung woman from Castlemaine, central Victoria.

its Indigenous legal team for their support, guidance and assistance.

I hope this guide serves as a practical and useful resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples serving on boards across Australia, and encourages more First Nations people to take up board positions.

Until next time.