Conflicts of Interest

The issue of conflicts of interest has been indicated as a hot topic in the arts community. These workshops addressed issues such as: How are conflicts of interest identified? Does the board have a plan in place for managing conflicts ethically?

• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 11th April 2011 - Cairns - Presented by David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)
• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 14 April 2011 - Townsville - Presented by David Grace (Partner, Corporate and Commercial, Cooper Grace Ward Brisbane) and David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)

Turning Strategy Into Action

When BoardConnect surveyed arts organisations in North Queensland, Strategy was one of the key areas of interest nominated for discussion. How do board members and senior staff of non-profit organisations use their strategic plan to propel the organisation forward?  These workshops focused on how the board can take the Strategic Plan off the shelf where all too often it tends to gather dust, review the strategic steps that are set out in it on a regular basis, mindful of how they can best be implemented by board, management and staff.

• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 12th April 2011 - Cairns - Presented by Dr Geraldine McGuire (Regional Development Australia), Mr Jim Bitomsky (Director, Kleinhardt Business Consultants), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)
• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 13th April 2011 - Townsville - Presented by Nita Vasilescu (Perc Tucker Gallery), David Kippin (Deputy Chair AFCM), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)

Developing Entrepreneurial Companies

“Entrepreneurship is neither a science nor an art. It is a practice.” Peter Drucker
These workshops looked at issues such as: What makes an entrepreneurial arts company?  How can the board work with the organisation on risk assessment and management? What is the balance between enterprise and fiscal caution?

• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 12th April 2011 - Cairns - Presented by Robin Maxwell (Indigenous Coordination Centre and board member, KickArts), Jeneve Frizzo (Solicitor, Farrellys Lawyers and board member, KickArts), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)
• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 14th April 2011 - Townsville - Presented by Craig Stack (immediate past President, Townsville Chamber of Commerce), Bernie Lanigan (Shakespeare Under the Stars), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)

Legal Compliance– how to ensure your organisation is meeting its obligations

Topics covered in these briefings included:
* Constitutional constraints
* Tax concession sequences
* Current employment and workplace challenges
* Intellectual Property considerations

• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 13th April 2011 - Cairns - Presented by Barbara Bogiatzis (McCullough Robertson Lawyers, Brisbane, specialising in services to the non-profit sector), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)
• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 15th April 2011 - Townsville - Presented by David Grace (Partner, Corporate and Commercial, Cooper Grace Ward Brisbane) and David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)

Talking About Art

David Fishel facilitated discussion regarding the role of the board in supporting and reviewing the quality and viability of an arts organisation’s artistic processes and output. What is the board’s role in considering the ‘art’ (the product)?  Is the board comfortable commenting on the quality of the product?  How does the board’s role differ between a large, well-established company and a younger, smaller company?  What is the best way to build trust amongst board members and CEO/AD in order to create a working relationship conducive to questioning and learning?

• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 11th April 2011 - Cairns - Presented by Suellen Maunder (Artistic Director, JUTE), Shelley Evans Wild (Board member, JUTE), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)
• Download Workshop Summary Notes: 13th April 2011 - Townsville - Presented by Connie Hoedt (visual artist and past board member, Queensland Art Gallery), Lorna Hempstead (James Cook University and founding General Manager of Dancenorth), David Fishel (Director, Positive Solutions and BoardConnect)