Governance and Investment 2017
 

Course Module Information

Sector Orientation for Community Trust trustees (Half Day Training)
Tuesday 12 September

Philanthropy New Zealand will be running a half day orientation for new community trust trustees. This session will give the new trustees the opportunity to meet each other prior to the start of our Introduction to Governance session on September 13th and to have Community Trust specific orientation.

Our speaker are Ken Whitney will cover a range of topics to walk your new trustees through the early days of their roles on a community trust.

Topics covered will be:
  • The history of Community Trusts in NZ; how they came about and what is their purpose.
  • Governing documents (The Community Trusts Act 1999, The Trustee Act 1956 and the trust deed for each trust).
  • Strategic plans and granting policies – why we have them and what are they for?
  • Evaluation and monitoring.
  • A trustee’s role and responsibilities.
  • Investment oversight.
  • Governance issues such as risk management, conflicts of interest, public meetings, audits, board conduct, etc

We recommend taking this orientation in conjunction with Governance Level One on Wednesday 13 September. You are welcome to also take Governance Level Two or Investment Level One on Thursday 14 September and make the most of your time in Wellington over the three days.


Governance for Chairs
Tuesday 12 September

Governance for Chairs has been designed specifically for Chairs of trusts and foundations by our governance expert Graeme Nahkies who will also facilitate the day. It can be taken as a stand-alone module or as a two-day workshop in conjunction with the Investment Level 2 module.

In this workshop you will;

  • Explore the various dimensions of the Chair’s role
  • Help you to understand what makes a Chair successful and explore some of the tools that will help you achieve success
  • Share and learn from participants’ experience
Session 1
  • Introductions
  • What kind of leadership does a board need?
  • The challenges of group leadership and collective decision making

Session 2

  • Defining and organising the board's work
  • Using high leverage tools to ensure the board adds value
  • Defining reality; achieving 'good'; keeping focused on results

Session 3

  • Helping the board to get its work done – leading effective meetings
  • Managing board dynamics (culture, behaviour, status differences etc.)
  • Stakeholder engagement

Session 4

  • Supporting the Board/CE/staff relationships
  • Management reporting to the board
  • Wrap-up discussion

Governance Level 1
Wednesday 13 September

This one-day workshop has been designed specifically by our governance expert Graeme Nahkies for new board members and trustees. Graeme will also facilitate the workshop. The workshop can be taken as a stand-alone module or as a two-day workshop in conjunction with either of the following modules which take place the next day (Thursday 14 September):

  • Investment Level 1
  • Governance Level 2

Governance Level 1 will cover the following topics:

  • Emerging trends in philanthropy and grantmaking
  • Concepts and principles of corporate governance and consequent expectations of trustees
  • Ensuring that boards do the right work
  • Key elements in effective collective leadership (including trust, boardroom discourse)
  • Making the best use of the board’s time
  • Why the board should be oriented to outcomes
  • Leveraging effort and gaining control – the board’s policy-making role
  • Keeping track – the board’s monitoring role.
  • Historical evolution and statutory framework of community trusts

Governance Level 2 - Cancelled
Thursday 14 September

Please note that this option is no longer available due to low registration numbers.  Governance level one and Governance for Chairs are still available, as are the Investment sessions.

This one-day workshop has been designed by our governance expert Graeme Nahkies for trustees and board members who already have an understanding of Governance and who wish to explore the subject in more detail. The workshop can be taken as a stand-alone module or as a two-day workshop in conjunction with either of the following modules which take place the previous day (Wednesday 13 September):

  • Governance Level 1
  • Investment Level 2

Governance Level 2 will cover the following topics:

  • Emerging trends in philanthropy and grantmaking
  • Concepts of ownership and why and how these relate to good governance
  • The board’s policy-making role and its application to gain leverage over organisational performance
  • Developing and maintaining an effective partnership with the Chief Executive
  • What it means to think in outcome terms and why it is central to board effectiveness
  • Encouraging positive boardroom dynamics and dealing with dysfunctionality
  • Boardroom decision making traps – how to spot and avoid them
  • The importance and characteristics of effective chairing of the board and its committees

Investment Level 1

Thursday 14 September

This one-day workshop has been designed by Russell Investments as an introduction to investment for all new board members and trustees. It will be facilitated by Russell Investment's Andrew Johnson and Julian Darby. This workshop can be taken as a stand-alone module or as a two-day workshop in conjunction with Governance Level 1 which takes place the previous day (Wednesday 13 September):

Investment Level 1 will cover the following topics:

  • The investment process
  • Strategic asset allocation
  • Traditional asset classes
  • Related considerations
  • Alternative asset classes

We are grateful for the support of Russell Investments in developing this workshop.



Investment Level 2
Wednesday 13 September

This one-day workshop has been designed for us by our key supporters AMP Capital for board members and trustees with some experience in managing investments and provider relationships. It will be facilitated by AMP Capital's Head of Distribution Rebekah Swan and Relationship Manager Greg McMaster. It can be taken as a stand-alone module or as a two-day workshop in conjunction with either of the following modules:

  • Governance for Chairs (Tuesday 12 September)
  • Governance Level Two (Thursday 14 September)

Investment Level 2 will cover the following topics:

  • Hiring and firing fund managers
  • Making your consultant relationship work for you

We are grateful for the support of AMP Capital in developing this workshop and for their longer-term commitment of support for Philanthropy New Zealand.