01

Start with authority

The first governance question is not 'What do we want to do?' but 'Who has authority to decide this?' The Act, registered rules, prior resolutions, delegations and management contracts may place the decision with the full corporation, the committee, an office holder or a delegated manager.

A committee should understand the limits of its delegation and escalate reserved matters to a general meeting. Individual committee members should not present personal instructions as corporation decisions.

02

Use a disciplined decision process

A good agenda states the question to be decided and provides the relevant quote, report, rule, budget impact and recommendation before the meeting. The minutes should record the motion, result, material conflict declarations and any authority delegated for implementation.

After the meeting, convert the resolution into an accountable action: name the owner, due date, approval boundary, expected evidence and communication required. Minutes without follow-through create a record of intention, not a completed outcome.

03

Manage conflicts and information carefully

Committee members should disclose personal or financial interests and follow the applicable conflict process. Confidential records, owner information and dispute material should be shared only with people who have a legitimate role and lawful access.

Transparency does not mean publishing everything. It means owners can understand how funds, authority and decisions are being managed, while privacy and procedural fairness are respected.

04

Seven habits of a well-run committee

  1. 01

    Maintain an annual governance calendar.

  2. 02

    Send decision-ready agendas.

  3. 03

    Keep a current register of contracts, insurance, risks and delegations.

  4. 04

    Reconcile financial reports to supporting records.

  5. 05

    Record conflicts and abstentions.

  6. 06

    Track resolutions through to completion.

  7. 07

    Prepare a structured handover for incoming office holders.

Technology can help organise the record and prepare next steps, but it should not make committee decisions, conceal the source of information or bypass required human approval.

Sources

Official sources and further reading