The Committee Companion
Your head start on good governance
Checklists, frameworks and exemplars for not-for-profit committees and associations. 11 sections covering everything your committee needs to govern well.
Sound familiar?
Running a not-for-profit committee is rewarding work — but nobody hands you a manual when you take the role. Suddenly you’re responsible for governance, compliance, finances and meetings, often with no formal training and very little time. The Committee Companion is the resource that should have been there from day one.
What's inside
Fourteen practical sections. Every one built around what real committees need.
What's Inside
The Companion covers fourteen sections — the full landscape of governance for an incorporated not-for-profit association.
| # | Section | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | Introduction and Overview | Contents, contacts and how to use this guide — your orientation to the Companion before you dive into the sections. |
| 01 | Constitutions | Your founding document — what it must contain, how to keep it fit for purpose, and when and how to change it. |
| 02 | Compliance | Your ongoing legal obligations — the Compliance Calendar and how to stay on top of what's due and when. |
| 03 | The Committee | People, roles and how the governing body operates — the Committee Checklist, legal duties, office bearer job descriptions and Code of Conduct. |
| 03b | Building the Committee | Elections, induction and committee structures — the election process, induction, subcommittees, the Skills Matrix and Terms of Reference. |
| 03c | Delegations | Who can do what — and up to what limit. The four-area Delegations Register, templates and a worked exemplar. |
| 03d | Committee Renewal | Performance review, succession and managed exits — the annual review cycle, succession planning, and graceful departures. |
| 04 | Meetings | Agendas, minutes and decisions — the four-section structure, reports, motions, and the official record. |
| 05 | Finance | Reading and planning the numbers — the three reports, budgeting, delegations and financial governance essentials. |
| 06 | Planning | Strategic and operational planning — vision, mission, values, pillars, and the annual operational plan. |
| 07 | Risk Management | Identifying, managing and responding to risk — the five categories, the risk matrix, and the Risk Register. |
| 08 | Policies | Developing, managing and using your policy framework — templates, the Policy Register, and a worked exemplar. |
| 09 | Members | Knowing, managing and engaging your membership — the register, categories, AGM, and the member lifecycle. |
| 10 | Volunteers | Recruiting, managing and retaining your volunteer workforce — lifecycle, screening, induction and recognition. |
| 11 | Stakeholders | Identifying and engaging the people who matter — power/interest analysis, engagement planning and funding agreements. |
Who is it for?
The Committee Companion is written for anyone who serves on a not-for-profit committee — whether you’re brand new to the role or have been around the table for years. If you’re a President, Secretary, Treasurer, or general committee member of a club, association, or community organisation, this is for you.
New committee members · Incoming office bearers · Established committees doing a governance refresh · Managers supporting volunteer boards · Anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re doing it right
Get your copy
Instant digital download. 11 sections, checklists, frameworks and exemplars — everything your committee needs to govern well, in one practical resource.
$180
PDF download · Instant delivery · Single user licence
Secure checkout via WooCommerce. Download link delivered instantly by email.
Coming soon – the Template Library. All unbranded templates in fully editable Word format.
FAQs
What format is the Companion?
The Committee Companion is presented as 16 PDF downloads. Designed to be read on screen or printed — whichever suits you best. There are the 15 sections for easy reference and also the complete Companion in one larger document.
How do I get it after purchase?
You’ll receive an email immediately after purchase with a secure download link. No account required.
Is it specific to South Australia?
The governance principles apply to not-for-profit committees everywhere. Where legislation is referenced it reflects South Australian law, but the frameworks, checklists and exemplars are relevant wherever you are.
Can I share it with my Committee?
The Companion is sold as a single user licence. If your whole committee would benefit — and they will — we’d love them to grab their own copy.
What if I have a question after reading it?
Get in touch via the contact page. Kate is always happy to help.