Course Title: Contribute to effective governance in the community sector

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: BUSM7831C

Course Title: Contribute to effective governance in the community sector

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C0044 - Vocational Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management

Course Contact : Bronwyn Tanti

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9079

Course Contact Email:bronwyn.tanti@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required to support, guide and maintain effective governance of community sector organisation/s.
The knowledge and skills of this course should be used by workers involved in higher level practice and/or management in the community sector.
The course reflects specific requirements in relation to high level leadership in organisations or government departments in the community sector, where one individual may have comprehensive leadership responsibilities, including providing support and guidance in relation to governance issues.
Governance essentially refers to ’the systems and processes concerned with ensuring the overall direction, effectiveness, supervision and accountability of an organisation’ and may involve government or privately appointed Boards, trustees or other type of governing body.

This course is delivered and assessed with the course - BSBRSK501B: Manage risk


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCMGT601B Contribute to effective governance in the community sector

Element:

2.Maintain compliance of organisation

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Monitor organisation's performance and address any issues relating to compliance with own governing document, financial solvency, legislative/regulatory and, where appropriate licensing/accreditation requirements
2.2 Monitor and review organisation policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance, especially in relation to changing requirements
2.3 Monitor any fund raising activities and donations to ensure compliance with relevant requirements
2.4 Review changing trends in the community sector to ensure organisation's ongoing adherence to and leadership in promoting and applying underpinning philosophy and approaches
 

Element:

6.Contribute to maintaining functional governing body

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Contribute to regular review of effectiveness of governing body
6.2 Contribute to recruitment and selection of new members of governing body
6.3 Contribute to ongoing strategic review of organisation's work as a basis for constructive change and innovation
6.4 Ensure all staff, volunteers and agents have clear and sufficient delegated authority to discharge their duties effectively, where necessary within clearly identified limits relating to budgetary and/or other matters
 

Element:

1.Ensure clarity of role and responsibilities of governing body

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify governing body role and responsibilities in relation to organisation's compliance with own objectives and legislative/regulatory requirements, financial performance and solvency, policy development and/or ratification, risk management and internal management
1.2 Focus on strategic direction to maintain integrity of organisation's purpose and activities
1.3 At all times act reasonably, in the interests of the organisation and its stakeholders, independently of any other group or organisation
1.4 Maintain equal responsibility for the actions and decisions of the governing body
1.5 Where involved in operation decisions and matters, maintain clear distinction between role at strategic and operational levels
1.6 Where appropriate, contribute to definition of roles, responsibilities and terms of reference of sub-committees and individual members of governing body
 

Element:

3.Review and maintain organisation systems, policies and procedures

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Set and maintain relevant systems of financial control, internal control, performance reporting and policies and procedures
3.2 Put in place and ensure implementation of system for regular review of organisation's internal policies, systems and controls to ensure their effectiveness
3.3 Where appropriate set up quality assurance/audit practices, processes and personnel
 

Element:

4.Manage risk

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Identify and assess risks facing the organisation, staff, users and other stakeholders, and take appropriate steps to minimise exposure to risk
4.2 Avoid undertaking activities which may place at undue risk organisation's users, beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, property, assets or reputation
4.3 Obtain advice from appropriate authorities if required in relation to matters where there may be material risk to the organisation or where trustees may be in breach of their duties
4.4 As a member of the governing body, take ultimate responsibility for dealing with and managing conflicts that may arise within or on behalf of the organisation
4.5 Put in place policy and procedures to enable confidential reporting of matters of concern, such as misconduct, misuse of funds, mis-management and risks to the organisation or its stakeholders
 

Element:

5.Ensure principles of access, equity and inclusion are promoted and applied

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Set strategies and action plans to support organisation's achievement of access, equity and inclusion objectives
5.2 Monitor and review organisation's application of principles of access, equity and inclusion in relation to:
• identification and assessment of needs to be met
• allocation of resources and provision of services
• membership of governing body and any asub-committees
• staff recruitment, selection, training and conditions of service
• communication with stakeholders and public
• accessibility of meetings and communications
• purchase/procurement of goods and services
5.3 Where organisation is set up to service a specific section of the community, ensure this is clear and that principles of access, equity and inclusion are interpreted and applied in a manner appropriate to organisation objectives
 

Element:

7.Maintain integrity of governance

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Ensure any benefit from involvement in governance of the organisation is within what is allowable by law and in the interests of the organisation
7.2 Identify and promptly declare any actual or potential conflict of interest and, if necessary, offer to resign from position of governance
7.3 Follow organisation guidelines for declaration of personal gifts or hospitality received in relation to organisation's business or from personnel or organisations connected with the organisation
7.4 Maintain open communication and consultation between the organisation and its stakeholders to ensure:
• key stakeholders are encouraged to engage in planning and decision-making processes
• stakeholder views are taken into account in decision-making
• stakeholders are informed and consulted on relevant plans and proposed developments
• feedback and complaints from stakeholders are processed appropriately
• organisation governance, performance, impacts and outcomes are openly reported to stakeholders
 

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities


Essential learning activities will take place during a series of 1 day workshops. You will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are:
• analysis of current case studies
• self-reflection exercises
• discussion groups relating to theoretical and practice-based topics
• Problem-based activities
All courses and learning activities will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool "Blackboard". You will be required to participate in on line learning activities each month using the discussion board forum.
 


Teaching Schedule

There are 10 workshops scheduled for this program.  This unit is taught and assessed together with BSBRSK501B: Manage Risk and will be covered in detail in  workshops 2 and 3.

Workshop           Date                                                 Class content                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Unit(s) of Competency and Elements
2                           March 2014                                    1: Roles and responsibilities of governing body/ies in community sector organisations, including but not restricted to;                                 CHCMGT601B: Contribute to effective governance
                                                                                           • Organisation’s strategic direction as described in its vision, mission and values 
3                           April 2014                                           • Organisation’s policies, procedures                                                                                                                                                                              BSBRSK501B: Manage risk

                                                                                      2: Principles and practices of effective governance, including;
                                                                                           • Governance functions and integrity 
                                                                                           • Principles of access, equity and inclusion
                                                                                           • Compliance

                                                                                      3: Risks facing an organisation and associated risk assessment and management policies, procedures and measures.

                                                                                      4: Relevant risk legislation, codes of practice and national standards.

 

 While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of guest speakers and resources.

 
 


 


 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, Coulter; Management 6, Pearson


References


Other Resources

Additional resources will also be available in the learning management tool ‘Blackboard’. A set of readings will be made available to you prior to each workshop. A list of Program Specific resources, including journals and texts that may support you in the program, can also be found on the link to the RMIT Library in ’Blackboard’.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will include an in class case study, and written assessment focusing on the Governance structure of your organisation and a review of the "Code of Governance for the Australian Community Sector".


Assessment Tasks

This Unit is assessed by completion of the following tasks:

  • A case study (completed in class)
  • Read  the "Code of Governance for the Australian Community Sector", look at how your organisation manages each area and present your findings as a report.
  • A report on the structure and composition of your Board of Management and your role within this structure.

 Full details of these assessment tasks can be found on the Blackboard shell for the program.

 

 

 

   


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency.  These are available from the program co-ordinator.

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The Student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview