Phase 1 of refreshing our organisation’s governance framework ensures our Constitution meets current regulatory requirements.
Board Directors and a team of legal experts have undertaken a detailed review of our organisation’s governance framework focused on our Constitution. After consultation and feedback, as promised at the 2023 Annual General Meeting, Phase 1 has focused on changes to the constitution as they relate to legislative and statutory obligations, redundancies in the existing document or reflecting current practice.
The new draft appropriately modernises and is much clearer. The draft does not alter the basic structure of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd (Company).
Any further changes to the Constitution, in Phase 2, will only be undertaken after community consultation in 2024.
A constitution outlines the fundamental principles and current legislation that dictate how an organisation is governed.
Put simply, our constitutions, Mardi Gras Arts Ltd and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd, reference legislations that no longer exist or have been amended. These changes need to be incorporated to bring the constitutions in line with the modern governance standards for a charitable organisation.
It is also an opportunity to make suggestions that bring the Board’s responsibilities in line with best practices.
The existing constitution for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been reviewed and updated in collaboration with Board Directors and legal experts for market practice, and to reflect our purposes and governance arrangements.
The Constitution review table is available here.
ACNC’s Template Constitution
Benefiting from Diversity in the Boardroom
Board Composition AICD
Board Composition: The Road to Strategic Refreshment and Succession
Board’s Legal Environment AICD
CGC Governance Principles and Recommendations
Director Tenure – Effective Governance
NFP Governance Principles Report
Role of the Chair AICD
The Role of the Chairman
Our Governance Pyramid is available here.