Governance always takes place in context. To govern well requires us to understand what sector trends, changes and challenges are facing our organisation. Scottie will offer his perspective on the unique season the Church finds itself in. Scottie will be joined by James Stewart who will introduce the “State of the Church” report that offers us a data-driven lens for the Christian charitable sector.

This session will give you the core pillars of what good governance looks like and the responsibilities you take on when accepting a role as an elder, trustee, director or officer. KP will deliver an easy-to-understand introduction to governance for those new to the role, but serve up a challenge to ‘old hands’ to keep engaged with changing expectations in today’s environment.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is sure to land heavily for churches, schools and other charitable institutions involved in care for vulnerable people. We will be hearing from leading experts who will walk us through the lessons for those in governance and what the Report can teach us.

A core responsibility for those in governance is to keep its organisation accountable to its mission. But how do you monitor this, and how do you measure success? Hear from someone who has devoted her Master’s thesis to this very question. Be sure to be challenged and informed about the questions you are asking at the board table.

Churches and charities are increasingly becoming concerned about where the leaders of tomorrow will come from. With declining rates of voluntarism and increasing financial pressure on charities, those in governance must act strategically to avoid a leadership crisis. Dr Roshan Allpress will walk us through the general state of leadership development in New Zealand and what those in governance must do to set their organisation up for the long term.

Advocating for Diversity in the boardroom is a key part of Jade’s role with the Wilberforce Foundation as Māori Strategic Partnership Lead. She works with 125x charitable trusts who are hungry to engage iwi, make space for Pasifika and raise up female and next generation leaders in decision-making contexts. Diversity in the boardroom can create better understanding, compassion, impact, offers cross-cultural insights and good representation can lead to effective and sustainable solutions and outcomes.

The assets of the Church continue to appreciate in value at a rate faster than congregation growth. In some parts of our ecumenical landscape, huge assets are surplus to Sunday requirements and therein lies a significant opportunity for Gospel-inspired stewardship. How should we be stewarding assets and what questions should we be asking about property at our board tables? We take a look at some green shoots popping up across the country.

Experience an engaging and dynamic evening as we delve into the world of governance through a captivating mock board meeting. Explore the intricacies of effective and ineffective governance firsthand, drawing from the day's themes. Whether you're a newcomer to governance or a seasoned professional, this interactive session promises to sharpen your skills and provide invaluable practical insights for building stronger organisations in the Christian sector.