Publications currently available on this topic:
Governance Kit No 1-
Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit Board Members, and self-appraisal of their performance (Jean Roberts, 2006)

Governance Kit No.2–
Partnership Relationships – linking policies with improved work practices at governance, management and operational levels of activity (Jean Roberts, 2007)

Managing Governance in Nonprofit Organisations in Australia Book/CD ROM (Jean Roberts, 2004)

Jean Roberts Governance Framework© (The Framework) - what is it?

The emphasis in The Framework is not just the Board (or Committee of Management) – it is the total organisation, the legal entity as a whole. The governance role and function of the Board is to:
a) endorse the strategic and policy framework for the organisation
b) ensure financial viability of the organisation, and
c) ensure compliance with all legislative, statutory and contractual duties, obligations, terms and conditions

The Framework presents 29 Building Blocks with 44 Units to create and maintain an effective, efficient and humane organisation. The underlying principle of The Framework is that the role and function of governance is focused on the total organisation. If the Board is operating effectively and monitoring its own performance, then the total organisation will benefit. To put this in academic language, the Board is then adding value to the organisation.

The objective of The Framework is to ensure an effective, efficient and humane nonprofit organisation. Each of the 29 Building Blocks are of equal importance and value. These are listed in alphabetical order in Table 1, which is featured in both the book and CD ROM "Managing Governance in Nonprofit Organisation in Australia", with numbers allocated for ease of reference.

Table 1:

29 Building Blocks

1.	©RMC Organisational Framework
2.	AGM & Annual report, complete with audited financial statements that provide evidence of an effective efficient and humane organisation
3.	Appraisal process that leads into an internal training and development program
4.	Board is guided by ©RMC 5-levels of Governance Maturity in Board Performance
5.	Board policies and procedures on reporting and decision-making at governance, management and operational level
6.	Board roles and responsibilities clearly documented for Board office bearers and members
7.	Board-endorsed 3-5 year Strategy Plan and Year 1 Business Plan
8.	Board-endorsed annual budget with cashflow projections as a basis for financial reporting
9.	Board-endorsed policy framework to ensure a consistent level of quality in all of the organisation’s affairs and activities
10.	Board-endorsed quality system ensuring continuous quality improvement
11.	Broad funding and financial base
12.	Clear employment procedure and volunteer recruiting procedure
13.	Collaborative alliances and networks
14.	Constitution that is up-to-date, used as a working document and supports organisational growth
15.	Endorsed service model that directs all service design, delivery and evaluation
16.	New Board Member recruitment, orientation and induction procedure
17.	Official Board Minute Book
18.	Open and transparent communication and information flow
19.	Policy and procedure for establishing sub-committees, portfolios and working groups
20.	Position descriptions for every position at management and operational levels
21.	Procedure to ensure compliance with all legislative, statutory and contractual duties, obligations and requirements
22.	Register of members of the legal entity - up-to-date, providing evidence of eligibility to exercise the rights and privileges of membership
23.	Regular Service-user, Staff and Volunteer satisfaction surveys
24.	Responsibilities, accountabilities, authority and reporting procedures from Board through to points of service delivery
25.	Risk avoidance and risk management strategy
26.	Sound financial methods and administrative systems
27.	Succession planning strategy and practice in place
28.	Training program that leads to improved work practices
29.	Up-to-date and accurate promotional and marketing information

Together, these 29 Building Blocks provide evidence that:

a)	people using or accessing the services provided receive a high quality of service in a consistent manner
b)	staff, volunteers and Board members experience a high level of job satisfaction
c)	Association/Company members or Cooperative shareholders are confident that the organisation is using its available resources effectively and efficiently to achieve or address the purpose for which the organization exists
d)	funding bodies are confident that the organization is able to meet and maintain the terms and conditions of funding and service agreements, and quality/service standards
e)	communities experience a positive and practical impact and benefit from the activities of the organization in building a strong and supportive geographic community or community of interest Together with the 29 Building Blocks, The Framework presents 44 Units that fit within one or more of the Building Blocks. The 44 Units are listed in Table 2 – as featured in the book and CD ROM "Managing Governance in Nonprofit Organisations in Australia". The Units present a basis for quality assurance, while the 29 Building Blocks provide an easy reference to appreciate the components of the Framework.

Table 2:

44 Units

1.	© RMC 5 levels of Quality Maturity in Board Performance
2.	AGM and Annual Report Checklists
3.	Amalgamation in the Nonprofit Sector
4.	Auspice – what is it and how does it work?
5.	Board Member recruitment and orientation
6.	Board Minutes and Agenda Checklist
7.	Board Reporting, including Financial Reporting
8.	Building and Nurturing a Strong and Active Membership Base in a Nonprofit Organization
9.	Compliance
10.	Constitution checklist
11.	Consultation and Decision Making
12.	Delegation of authority
13.	Financial Management and Monitoring
14.	Financial Viability
15.	Joint initiatives between non-profit and for-profit organisations
16.	Linking Policies with Improved Work Practices
17.	Managing information
18.	Managing Projects
19.	Managing workplace relationships
20.	Marketing of Nonprofit Organisations
21.	Measurable Consumer Outcomes
22.	Member-based Associations and Clubs
23.	Organisational structure and structural options
24.	Outsourcing
25.	Performance Indicators, Measures and Targets
26.	Planning a Community Needs Assessment
27.	Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation
28.	Quality Assurance and Improvement
29.	Recruiting and Retaining Service Club Members
30.	Representative Board Membership
31.	Risk Avoidance and Risk Management
32.	RMC Organisational framework
33.	Role of the CEO/senior staff position
34.	Role of the Patron
35.	Service Model
36.	Stakeholder analysis and survey
37.	Strategic Alliances, Network, Consortium
38.	Strategic and Business Planning Checklists
39.	Structuring for Mergers and Amalgamations
40.	Submission Writing Checklists
41.	Succession Planning
42.	Traps in Tendering and Outsourcing
43.	What’s the Difference between Governance and Management
44.	Why Incorporate?