Calendar
Explore our training calendar for not-for-profit leaders and board members.
Discover upcoming workshops, courses and events designed to enhance skills in governance, strategy and leadership. Find all upcoming training dates below and register for sessions that align with your goals.
October 2026
Directors and senior leaders of community organisations make important decisions every day—but when might those decisions, or a failure to act, expose them to personal liability?
Presented by Law Compliance in partnership with the Institute of Community Directors Australia, this practical webinar will explore:
- how personal liability can arise;
- who may be considered an officer or senior manager;
- key case studies, penalties and statutory defences;
- the role and limitations of directors’ and officers’ insurance; and
- practical steps community organisations and their leaders can take to reduce their exposure.
Designed for board members, executives, senior managers, and governance, risk and compliance professionals across the not-for-profit and community sectors, the webinar will explain how effective oversight, compliance systems, training and record-keeping can help manage personal and organisational risk.
Key details
Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm AEST
Location: Online | Recorded
Price: FREE!
Community Sector Secretaries is a three-session program designed to help company secretaries understand their role on the board, and the responsibilities to the board.
The sessions will cover the secretary's role in:
- Regulatory and legislative compliance, decision-making and ethical obligations (session 1)
- Keeping the board on track with responsibilities and timelines (session 2)
- Supporting inclusion and accessibility and ensuring effective induction and onboarding of new board members (session 3)
Participants will learn alongside other community sector secretaries, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their peers. This training takes place online.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate in Community Sector Secretaryship, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Key Details
Session 1: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Session 2: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Session 3: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
A proven program designed to equip not-for-profit CEOs, Chairs, and Board Directors with the tools, confidence, and strategies to secure critical funding and build sustainable partnerships.
Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money. It's about demonstrating value, building trust, and inspiring action. In today’s competitive philanthropic landscape, funders expect more than passion; they want evidence of impact, alignment with their goals, and confidence that their support will deliver measurable results.
Does this sound familiar?
- You’ve made multiple approaches to funders with little response.
- You feel uncertain about what funders really want and how to attract core funding.
- You’re juggling competing priorities, unsure how to balance strategic fundraising with operational demands.
Our Pitch to Impact program will change the way you approach fundraising, and help you secure the funds you need to achieve your mission.
By the end of this program, you’ll have:
- A Compelling Funder-Ready Pitch: Learn how to communicate your organisation’s mission with clarity, evidence, and emotional resonance.
- Confidence to Make the Ask: Walk into every funding conversation prepared and self-assured.
- An Actionable Fundraising Roadmap: Develop a clear, step-by-step plan to secure funding in 2025 and beyond.
What's included?
- Three Immersive Masterclasses: Interactive sessions with expert guidance and real-world applications.
- One Live Coaching Session: Personalised feedback to refine your pitch and delivery.
- Exclusive Resources and Templates: Tailored guides, pitch frameworks, and storytelling tools.
- Actionable Roadmaps: Create a fundraising roadmap designed for measurable results.
Fees
This course costs $995.00 to attend. Places are strictly limited. To register to attend please click below.
Community Sector Treasurers is a three-session program which equips NFP and community treasurers with the knowledge and skills to manage financial responsibilities effectively.
Delivered over three 2-hour sessions, this course will cover core topics, tools, and strategies to ensure compliance, reporting accuracy, and financial planning.
- Foundations of the treasurer’s role and financial administration (session 1)
- Reporting and financial strategy (session 2)
- Strategic planning and collaboration (session 3)
The three sessions will take place online and have been designed to support connection and networking amongst participants.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate in Community Treasury, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Key Details:
Session 1: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Session 2: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Session 3: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Register now.
Join Community Directors and Axelo for a practical, board-focused webinar exploring cyber risk and emerging AI governance challenges in the not-for-profit sector.
Cyber threats continue to evolve, and the rapid uptake of AI tools is introducing new governance considerations for boards. At the same time, many NFPs operate without dedicated IT or HR teams, relying on lean staffing and external support. This session is designed with that reality in mind.
Key details:
Date: Thursday 8 October, 2026
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm AEDT
Location: Online | Recorded
Member price: FREE
AI & Innovation Readiness is a practical three-part program designed to help NFP boards and executive teams build the foundations for thoughtful, effective AI adoption.
The program will help you to build a pathway at your organisation, to ensure that you are ready to innovate, to intentional experimentation, to a scoped use case ready for implementation.
You’ll learn how to set clear organisational goals and KPIs, identify the expertise and resources you need, and put appropriate policies and governance in place.
Dates: October 15, 29 and November 12 from 1PM to 2.30PM AEDT.
You can view the entire course outline or register here.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate, make decisions, and manage risk. Yet while AI adoption is accelerating, many boards and leadership teams are still determining how to govern its use effectively.
Join BoardPro, in association with the Institute of Community Directors Australia and governance partners, for a special seminar designed to help directors, executives, and governance professionals confidently navigate the opportunities and responsibilities of AI.
Be among the first to experience BoardPro's new AI suite, hear the latest insights from our AI Governance Pulse research, and learn practical approaches for governing with impact in an AI-enabled world.
This event is designed for leaders, executives, and decision-makers who want to shape the AI future for their organisations – CEOs, COOs, and senior managers from across small businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools.
Key details:
Friday, October 16th, 2026
10am - 5:30pm AEST
Karstens – 111 Harrington Street, The Rocks, Sydney
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate, make decisions, and manage risk. Yet while AI adoption is accelerating, many boards and leadership teams are still determining how to govern its use effectively.
Join BoardPro, in association with the Institute of Community Directors Australia and governance partners, for a special seminar designed to help directors, executives, and governance professionals confidently navigate the opportunities and responsibilities of AI.
Be among the first to experience BoardPro's new AI suite, hear the latest insights from our AI Governance Pulse research, and learn practical approaches for governing with impact in an AI-enabled world.
This event is designed for leaders, executives, and decision-makers who want to shape the AI future for their organisations – CEOs, COOs, and senior managers from across small businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools.
Key details:
Monday, October 19th, 2026
10am - 5:30pm
Karstens – 215 Adelaide St, Brisbane
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate, make decisions, and manage risk. Yet while AI adoption is accelerating, many boards and leadership teams are still determining how to govern its use effectively.
Join BoardPro, in association with the Institute of Community Directors Australia and governance partners, for a special seminar designed to help directors, executives, and governance professionals confidently navigate the opportunities and responsibilities of AI.
Be among the first to experience BoardPro's new AI suite, hear the latest insights from our AI Governance Pulse research, and learn practical approaches for governing with impact in an AI-enabled world.
This event is designed for leaders, executives, and decision-makers who want to shape the AI future for their organisations – CEOs, COOs, and senior managers from across small businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools.
Key details:
Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
10am - 5:30pm
Karstens – 111 St George's Terrace, Perth
Fundraising is the lifeblood of most community organisations, yet it’s an often-neglected task. Most organisations draw the majority of their income from just one or two sources. That’s a dangerous strategy. If one of those sources dries up, you could quickly face a budget black hole.
At this training, you'll learn about the seven pillars of fundraising.
- Grants
- Donations
- Crowdfunding
- Membership
- Events
- Sales
- Sponsorship
With around $125 billion given out in grants across Australia each year, this session will take an in-depth look at writing a proposal to ensure your organisation is getting its share of the money on offer.
This course is designed for grassroots community groups that want to find out where to find funding, and how to win it.
This 3-hour online session costs $189 (member price) and will be held Wednesday, 21 October 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This session is not recorded. Live attendance is required.
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh, Member for Fenner and Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition and Treasury, overseeing the ACNC and charities sector, will be delivering the 2026 Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration.
Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard, having graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours in Arts and Law. Andrew is a past recipient of the Economic Society of Australia's Young Economist Award and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences.
The 2026 Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration will be streamed live and free at 6.15pm AEDT on Wednesday, 21 October.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate, make decisions, and manage risk. Yet while AI adoption is accelerating, many boards and leadership teams are still determining how to govern its use effectively.
Join BoardPro, in association with the Institute of Community Directors Australia and governance partners, for a special seminar designed to help directors, executives, and governance professionals confidently navigate the opportunities and responsibilities of AI.
Be among the first to experience BoardPro's new AI suite, hear the latest insights from our AI Governance Pulse research, and learn practical approaches for governing with impact in an AI-enabled world.
This event is designed for leaders, executives, and decision-makers who want to shape the AI future for their organisations – CEOs, COOs, and senior managers from across small businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools.
Key details:
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
10am - 5:30pm
Karstens – 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
Good governance is the backbone of every effective not-for-profit - but it's often the area boards feel least confident about.
Here's something that might surprise you: every group that makes decisions together is already doing governance. Many people don't realise they've been part of a governance group until years down the track. Whether that's a committee, a board, or a working group: if you're making decisions collectively, governance applies to you!
At this training, you'll learn:
- Legal responsibilities for board members
- Distinguishing governance vs management: roles and boundaries
- Identifying, disclosing, and managing conflicts of interest:
- Healthy decision-making frameworks
- Board solidarity and fiduciary duty
This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held Tuesday 27 October 2026 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
The sessions will cover the CEO's role in:
- Leading with strategy and governance (session 1)
- Leading people and performance (session 2)
- Leading innovation and sustainability (session 3)
Participants will learn alongside other community sector CEOs, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their peers. This training takes place online.
This course is designed for CEOs of organisations with management teams. It is best suited to organisations with annual revenue of approximately $1 million–$3 million.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion.
This course is perfect for new CEOs or those about to step into the role.
Hosted by Community Directors journalist Matthew Schulz, the next edition will feature special guest Violet Roumeliotis, the chief executive of Settlement Services International (SSI), a powerhouse organisation that supports more than 56,000 people a year.
This session will cover:
Maree Sidey of Philanthropy Australia on how community organisations can adjust their fundraising strategies to take advantage of generosity
- Andrew Leigh, Charities Minister, on strengthening community in an “age of outrage”
Dylan Smith from Community Foundations Australia on the billion-dollar community-driven funding reboot for the not-for-profit sector
Jess Scully of the RadicalXchange Foundation about the opportunities for not-for-profits to take charge of the AI revolution
Melissa Smith, chief executive of She Gives, on the growing power of women in giving
Nathaniel Diong, chief executive of Future Minds Network, on how the new generation of philanthropists thinks
David Michell from the Tough Guy Book Club on the club’s mission to put “real decent conversations” for men back into pubs
Rachel Power, Deloitte economist, on research that shows social enterprises how to prove they’re helping people to get jobs.
The Not-for-profit Agenda, airing at 12.30pm AEDT on Thursday, October 29, is Community Directors’ free one-hour lunchtime show broadcast online via Zoom.
November 2026
Your voice matters - and it deserves to be heard. This workshop helps people in community settings build confidence and clarity when speaking in public. Whether you're presenting, advocating, or storytelling, Playful Thinking's Daniel Teitelbaum will help you find your voice and share it in a way that resonates.
From this webinar, you’ll gain:
- Confidence in any room - learn how to speak with clarity, presence, and purpose in any situation.
- Tools to calm the nerves - practice playful, science-backed techniques to overcome fear and trepidation.
- Authentic connection - discover how to engage audiences by bringing more of your natural style into how you present.
- Persuasive storytelling - build your skill in crafting narratives that move, motivate, and make meaning.
- A repeatable process you can build on - walk away with a flexible framework for preparing and delivering talks that you can refine and make your own over time.
This 1 hour webinar is free to attend and will be held live on Wednesday 4 November 2026 | 1.00PM–2.00PM AEDT.
The NFP Leadership Certificate is an online program that will equip leaders with the skills, knowledge, tools and connections required to take the next big step in their leadership journey.
Leaders who want to get more done need to start doing less.
But when you're so used to doing the doing, it can be difficult to take a step back and start leading.
ICDA's NFP Leadership Certificate provides space for middle and senior managers to lift their gaze and look at the big picture.
Taking place each Monday across 4 weeks, we'll be bringing together leaders from across Australia, via Zoom, to hone their leadership skills and explore what it truly means to lead.
Key Details
Session 1: Thursday, 5 November 2026. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Session 2: Thursday, 12 November 2026. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Session 3: Thursday, 19 November2026. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Session 4: Thursday, 26 November 2026. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Community Sector Chairs is a three-session program designed to help new and aspiring Board Chairs understand their role on the board, and their responsibilities to the board.
The sessions will cover the Chair's role in:
- The Chair’s role in governance and leadership
- Making healthy decisions in the board room
- Leading an organisation beyond meetings
Participants will learn alongside other community sector chairs, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their peers. This training takes place online.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate in Chairs Leadership, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Key Details
Session 1: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Session 2: Tuesday, 17 November 2026
Session 3: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
Survey data shows that 64% of NFP employees stay in their roles to make a difference, but financial wellbeing is a growing pressure point and a common reason employees leave. Boost your chances of retaining staff by helping them get more from their salary packaging benefits.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
- What salary packaging is
- The link between salary packaging, financial wellbeing and job satisfaction
- Which staff members are less likely to be maximising their salary packaging benefits
- How you, as a leader, can help point them in the right direction
- Why advocating for salary packaging could help improve staff retention.
This 1 hour webinar is free to attend and will be held live on Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 1.00PM–2.00PM AEDT.
Too many nonprofits are unseen, unheard & underfunded. Only one in 1,000 nonprofits will grow beyond a small business. But more fundraising itself can’t fix your fundraising. You must be fundable and findable. First.
Join us for a conversation between author and Mighty Ally CEO Kevin L. Brown and Equitable Philanthropy’s Catherine Brooks.
At this training, we'll discuss:
- The findable/fundable framework
- How to build a clear, compelling not-for-profit brand that maximises your funding and advances social justice
- The 20 laws of fundraising in Kevin L. Brown’s Fundable and Findable
- How to improve your pitch to funders
- What the board’s role is (and isn’t) in fundraising
This 1 hour webinar is FREE and will be held on Tuesday 17 November 2026 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm AEDT. This session is recorded.
Register now.
Overseeing the finances is probably one of the most important tasks you have as a board member. Financial literacy will put your organisation in the best position to promote and fulfil your organisation’s mission. If you don’t understand how the finances work, you’ll be at risk of getting caught up if anything goes wrong.
How well do you understand the financial performance and position of your organisation?
At this training, we'll cover:
- Why you need to understand your organisation’s finances
- Financial roles and responsibilities
- Legal duties of board directors
- Key elements of a board financial report
- Profit and Loss Statements
- Budgets
- Balance Sheets
- Cash flow statements
- Reg flags to look out for
- Oversight and monitoring
Key details
Date: Wednesday 18th November 2026
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
Reach the most people at the lowest cost (free!) with the least effort (a phone call!) and the most influence (big audiences) - by gaining media coverage.
Nonprofit PR specialist Brett de Hoedt of Hootville Communications has helped community groups and not-for-profits land 1000+ media hits on a range of issues. He knows how to get coverage for complex, unsexy stories.
At this training, you'll learn:
- why media coverage is worth the effort
- knowing what media wants from you
- identifying and creating catalysts for media coverage
- how to prepare your organisation to be shameless media tarts
- building media relationships without wining nor dining
- dealing with journalists from first contact to warm afterglow
- writing media releases - and why they hardly matter
- story packaging – supplying media the various elements of your story
- pitching your story to journalists (the moment of truth)
This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held Tuesday 24 November 2026 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
Register now.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the community sector, whether they’re sizzling sausages at the local fair, coordinating vital fundraisers, or providing vision and leadership in the boardroom. Without them, many organisations would be unable to keep the doors open.
Despite this, many organisations aren’t properly set up to effectively manage their volunteers.
At this training, you'll learn:
- Proper record keeping
- How to communicate with volunteers
- What policies you'll need
- What legal checks you should expect from volunteers
- How to keep your volunteers
This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held Tuesday 24 November 2026 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
Register now.
December 2026
This session is a practical, hands-on masterclass focused on how AI can be used today to support impact strategy, measurement and storytelling without losing rigour, judgement or human insight.
At this training, you'll learn:
- How AI interacts (and doesn’t) with human-centred, high-stakes work
- What organisations can reasonably do on their own using off-the-shelf AI tools
- Where structured tools, systems and specialist support can dramatically accelerate progress
This 90 min webinar is FREE and will be held Tuesday 1 December 2026 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
Register now.
Your voice matters - and it deserves to be heard. This workshop helps people in community settings build confidence and clarity when speaking in public. Whether you're presenting, advocating, or storytelling, Playful Thinking's Daniel Teitelbaum will help you find your voice and share it in a way that resonates.
At this webinar, we’ll cover:
- Privacy changes: New requirements around AI and automated decision-making.
- Payday super: What boards should be checking six months after the changes took effect.
- Preventing sexual harassment: Understanding your organisation's positive duty and what it means for staff and volunteers.
- Card surcharge ban: What the new rules mean for NFP payments and pricing.
This 30-minute lunch and learn session is free to attend and will be held live on Thursday 3 December 2026 from 12.00PM–12.30PM AEDT.
February 2027
If you’re new to a not-for-profit board or committee, or you’ve joined but still feel unsure of your role, Board Boot Camp is for you. This online program, delivered over three practical 2-hour sessions, will build your confidence and sharpen your governance skills so you can step up and contribute effectively.
You’ll learn what good governance really means and what your legal and ethical duties are, so you can participate fully and make sound decisions that protect your organisation. You’ll discover how to read key documents, ask the right questions, and understand your board’s financials, risks, and responsibilities.
Board Boot Camp goes beyond the basics, helping you navigate tricky areas like conflict of interest, board culture, and group dynamics. You’ll explore how to handle disagreement with respect, how to contribute meaningfully during meetings, and how to bring your best self to the board table.
By the end of the program, you’ll feel clear about your responsibilities, more confident in your role, and ready to play your part in building a healthy, productive board. Join us to grow your governance muscles and become the board member your community needs!
February 2027
Session 1: Wednesday, 3 February 2027. 9am-11am AEDT
Session 2: Wednesday, 10 February 2027. 9am-11am AEDT
Session 3: Wednesday, 17 February 2027. 9am-11am AEDT
All sessions take place online via Zoom. These sessions are not recorded. Live attendance is required.
Price
ICDA members: $499
Non-members: $599
All prices include GST.
Master the key principles of risk management, compliance, and governance resilience in the not-for-profit sector.
This course equips board members and senior leaders with practical strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate risks while ensuring compliance with regulatory, financial, and governance obligations. Learn how to develop and implement risk frameworks, safeguard your organisation’s reputation, and navigate crisis scenarios. You’ll gain insights into the latest legal and compliance requirements, ensuring your NFP meets industry standards and operates effectively.
At this training, we'll cover:
- Legal obligations for directors
- Risk management frameworks
- Cybersecurity for NFPs
- Climate related emergencies
- Crisis response and reputation management
- Climate related emergencies
Key details
Date: Thursday 11th February 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
The course consists of five sessions of two hours each that have been designed to build knowledge, skills and confidence in the chairs of community organisations. It is suitable for leaders who are already serving in the role of chair, as well as those who aspire to the position.
The sessions will cover:
- Ethical board leadership
- The chair’s relationship with the CEO
- Backstage and front of house: using both to make good decisions
- Strategic funding: Developing your case for support
- Visionary leadership - ensuring your vision and purpose are at the centre of governance
Participants will learn alongside other community sector leaders, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their community sector peers.
Participants who complete all five sessions will receive a Certificate in Advanced Leadership for Community Chairs, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
This course costs $719.00 inc GST (member price).
August 2026
Session 1: Tuesday, 23 February 2027
Session 2: Tuesday, 2 March 2027
Session 3: Tuesday, 9 March 2027
Session 4: Tuesday, 16 March 2027
Session 5: Tuesday, 23 March 2027
All times 5pm to 7pm AEST. Each session takes place live on Zoom.
The NFP Executive Leadership Program is designed for experienced not-for-profit leaders who are ready to move beyond operational management and strengthen their capacity to lead organisations strategically, ethically and publicly.
Today’s nonprofit executives are navigating increasingly complex challenges.
From advocacy and stakeholder pressure to crisis management, ethical decision-making and funder engagement, leaders are expected to respond thoughtfully, communicate clearly and guide their organisations with integrity.
Over four interactive sessions, participants will explore the realities of executive leadership in the not-for-profit sector, while building practical tools, frameworks and strategies they can immediately apply in their organisations. Through guided reflection, discussion and real-world examples, leaders will deepen their understanding of themselves, their organisations and the broader systems they work within.
This program is ideal for senior managers, executives, CEOs, board directors and experienced leaders seeking to strengthen their strategic leadership capability and lead with greater clarity, confidence and impact. Participants will join a cohort of not-for-profit leaders from across Australia to examine some of the sector’s biggest leadership challenges, including:
- Advocacy and influence
- Leading through crisis
- Strategic funder engagement
- Ethical leadership and organisational culture
- AI and emerging leadership risks.
Key Details
Session 1: Thursday, 25 February 2027. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Session 2: Thursday, 4 March 2027. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Session 3: Thursday, 11 March 2027. 9am-Midday AEDT.
Session 4: Thursday, 18 March 2027. 9am-Midday AEDT.
March 2027
Who really has time for strategic planning? There is so much going on within our organisations that demands our attention. It's tempting to leave strategic planning languishing on the back burner.
But strategic planning shouldn't be an afterthought. Decisions we make in today's board meetings will reach well into our future. In the absence of a clear strategic plan, its unlikely to be a well-informed decision-making process. If you're not forward planning, the future may not thank you!
At this training, we'll cover:
- components of an effective strategic plan
- the interplay between board strategic planning and day-to-day operations
- strategic planning in the context of organisational effectiveness
- establishing SMART objectives with measurable metrics
- environment scanning for better strategic planning
Key details
Date: Wednesday 10th March 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
Artificial intelligence has enormous potential to benefit community organisations - but it also brings real risks. Your board is responsible for managing these risks, both in your own decision-making and across your organisation's use of AI.
At this training, you'll learn:
- Make ethical decisions when using AI tools
- Identify and mitigate risks to your organisation and stakeholders
- Establish clear, practical guidelines for AI use
- Put human oversight and fact-checking procedures in place
- Build trust through transparency.
This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held Tuesday 23 March 2027 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
April 2027
The NFP Leadership Certificate is an online program that will equip leaders with the skills, knowledge, tools and connections required to take the next big step in their leadership journey.
Leaders who want to get more done need to start doing less.
But when you're so used to doing the doing, it can be difficult to take a step back and start leading.
ICDA's NFP Leadership Certificate provides space for middle and senior managers to lift their gaze and look at the big picture.
Taking place each Monday across 4 weeks, we'll be bringing together leaders from across Australia, via Zoom, to hone their leadership skills and explore what it truly means to lead.
Key Details
Session 1: Wednesday, 7 April 2027. 9am-Midday AEST.
Session 2: Wednesday, 14 April 2027. 9am-Midday AEST.
Session 3: Wednesday, 21 April 2027. 9am-Midday AEST.
Session 4: Wednesday, 28 April 2027. 9am-Midday AEST.
Community Sector Treasurers is a three-session program which equips NFP and community treasurers with the knowledge and skills to manage financial responsibilities effectively.
Delivered over three 2-hour sessions, this course will cover core topics, tools, and strategies to ensure compliance, reporting accuracy, and financial planning.
- Foundations of the treasurer’s role and financial administration (session 1)
- Reporting and financial strategy (session 2)
- Strategic planning and collaboration (session 3)
The three sessions will take place online and have been designed to support connection and networking amongst participants.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate in Community Treasury, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Key Details:
Session 1: Tuesday, April 13, 2027
Session 2: Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Session 3: Tuesday, April 27, 2027
Register now.
Community boards are often tasked with overseeing one-off projects that align with strategic objectives but sit outside the annual plan or budget. Sometimes these projects are created to address a specific issue or explore a new opportunity. In either case, the success of the project depends on the board and management understanding their distinct roles and how to work together effectively.
At this training, you'll learn:
- Clarify roles: Distinguish the responsibilities of the board versus management in project oversight and delivery.
- Think strategically: Align projects with long-term goals to maximise impact and value for your organisation.
- Assess risks: Identify potential challenges early and build strategies to mitigate them.
- Manage resources: Understand how to budget and allocate resources effectively for temporary, outcome-focused projects.
- Monitor progress: Track performance and ensure compliance without slipping into operational detail.
- Measure success: Evaluate impact and outcomes to ensure projects deliver meaningful results.
Key details
Date: Thursday 15th April 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
Is your organisation’s CEO review process as effective as it should be? Is it fully aligned with your organisation's values? Ensuring your CEO meets expectations and steers your organisation in the right direction is crucial for success. But how do you plan and conduct a truly meaningful CEO performance review?
At this training, you'll learn:
- Build a strong, productive partnership with your CEO
- Identify the right participants for the review — and who to leave out
- Include the key elements that make a review effective (and avoid common pitfalls)
- Set an appropriate and realistic timeframe for the review process
- Structure the review for clarity, fairness, and maximum impact
- Align the review process with the CEO’s job description, organisational objectives, and values
This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held Tuesday 27 April 2027 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
This workshop has been designed to help directors understand their roles and responsibilities as a board member, and how to review and apply the organisation’s constitution.
At this training, you'll learn:
- Working within the structure of the organisation
- Managing competing roles and responsibilities
- Following legal requirements when carrying out board duties
- Monitoring operations
- Receiving and acting on community and stakeholder feedback
- Participating in successful meetings
- Linking the purpose of the organisation to the constitution
- Identifying legislation that can impact on provisions of the constitution
- Formulating and updating the constitution
- Making sure everyone in your organisation understands and uses the constitution
Key details
Date: Wednesday 28th April 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
May 2027
Community Sector Secretaries is a three-session program designed to help company secretaries understand their role on the board, and the responsibilities to the board.
The sessions will cover the secretary's role in:
- Regulatory and legislative compliance, decision-making and ethical obligations (session 1)
- Keeping the board on track with responsibilities and timelines (session 2)
- Supporting inclusion and accessibility and ensuring effective induction and onboarding of new board members (session 3)
Participants will learn alongside other community sector secretaries, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their peers. This training takes place online.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate in Community Sector Secretaryship, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Key Details
Session 1: Wednesday, May 5, 2027
Session 2: Wednesday, May 12, 2027
Session 3: Wednesday, May 19, 2027
Overseeing the finances is probably one of the most important tasks you have as a board member. Financial literacy will put your organisation in the best position to promote and fulfil your organisation’s mission. If you don’t understand how the finances work, you’ll be at risk of getting caught up if anything goes wrong.
How well do you understand the financial performance and position of your organisation?
At this training, we'll cover:
- Why you need to understand your organisation’s finances
- Financial roles and responsibilities
- Legal duties of board directors
- Key elements of a board financial report
- Profit and Loss Statements
- Budgets
- Balance Sheets
- Cash flow statements
- Reg flags to look out for
- Oversight and monitoring
Key details
Date: Thursday 13th May 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
Fundraising is the lifeblood of most community organisations, yet it’s an often-neglected task. Most organisations draw the majority of their income from just one or two sources. That’s a dangerous strategy. If one of those sources dries up, you could quickly face a budget black hole. With around $125 billion given out in grants across Australia each year, this session will take an in-depth look at writing a proposal to ensure your organisation is getting its share of the money on offer.
This course is designed for grassroots community groups that want to find out where to find funding, and how to win it.
At this training, we'll cover:
- Grants
- Donations
- Crowdfunding
- Membership
- Events
- Sales
- Sponsorship
Key details
Date: Tuesday 25th May 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
June 2027
The sessions will cover the CEO's role in:
- Leading with strategy and governance (session 1)
- Leading people and performance (session 2)
- Leading innovation and sustainability (session 3)
Participants will learn alongside other community sector CEOs, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their peers. This training takes place online.
This course is designed for CEOs of organisations with management teams. It is best suited to organisations with annual revenue of approximately $1 million–$3 million.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion.
This course is perfect for new CEOs or those about to step into the role.
Community Sector Chairs is a three-session program designed to help new and aspiring Board Chairs understand their role on the board, and their responsibilities to the board.
The sessions will cover the Chair's role in:
- The Chair’s role in governance and leadership
- Making healthy decisions in the board room
- Leading an organisation beyond meetings
Participants will learn alongside other community sector chairs, in sessions designed to enable them to connect and network with their peers. This training takes place online.
Those who complete all three sessions will receive a Certificate in Chairs Leadership, a micro-credential accredited by the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Key Details
Session 1: Thursday, 15 June 2027
Session 2: Thursday, 22 June 2027
Session 3: Thursday, 29 June 2027
The prospect of taking minutes at your organisation’s board meetings may make you feel a little overwhelmed, but there’s no need to worry. If you’re well prepared, know what needs to be recorded and know what you need to do with the minutes after the meeting, then you have nothing to worry about. Join us at this webinar to learn everything you need to know to become an expert at taking minutes.
At this training, you'll learn:
- Prepare effectively
- Know who should take minutes
- Understand what must be recorded
- Avoid common recording mistakes
- Maintain confidentiality
- Navigate AI & governance risks
- Action what comes next
This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held Wednesday 16 June 2027 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. This session is recorded.
Good performance management helps staff grow, keeps everyone on track, and supports a positive, productive workplace. This workshop will help board members understand their role in overseeing how staff performance is managed, supporting the CEO/General Manager, and what to do when things aren’t going well. It focuses on practical ways boards can make sure fair, consistent, and effective systems are in place.
At this training, we'll cover:
- The board’s role in managing staff
- How to build a fair and supportive performance culture that encourages improvement and accountability
- How to respond early and fairly when staff aren’t meeting expectations
- How to support the CEO to manage performance issues
- The policies, roles, and reporting processes needed for effective people management.
Key details
Date: Thursday 17th June 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249
An organisation which can use its data effectively will be able to tell a compelling story of relevance and success to potential funders, supporters and stakeholders. Impact evaluation does not have to be expensive and can be done on a shoestring by putting a few systems in place. Every organisation collects information, and often, an evaluation can be carried out, using just the information you are collecting anyway.
At this training, we'll cover:
- What data do you currently collect?
- What is an outcome versus an output?
- What are you trying to impact?
- How will you ascertain how impactful your activities are?
- Who oversees collecting the data?
- Who oversees interpreting the data?
- What data might you need, to answer the questions you have got about your impact
Key details
Date: Tuesday 29th June 2027
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm AEDT
Location: Online
Member price: $189
Non-member price: $249