Board Scholarships Awarded to Charity Directors

Eight directors of charitable organisations from across Australia have been awarded scholarships to attend director and board development programs, from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Australian Scholarships Foundation (ASF).

The training programs awarded to the eight charity directors include: two full scholarships for the Company Directors Course; two full scholarships for the Foundations of Directorship suite; and four full scholarships for The Not-for-Profit Board (an In-Focusprogram). 

Amy Lyden, Chief Executive Officer of ASF says the governance of charities is complex, however, and developing the knowledge required to address the challenges confronting charity boards (such as balancing stakeholder interests and understanding legal risks) is a necessity. 

Lyden says that the scholarships awarded supported ASF’s mission to build the capacity of Not for Profit organisations and were an important expansion of ASF’s portfolio of scholarships.  

John Colvin, Chief Executive Officer of AICD and Chairman of CanAssist, says the directors of Australia’s charitable organisations play a vital role in our community and AICD is committed to supporting them.
      
The successful scholarship applicants come from a variety of backgrounds, including community health and welfare, provision of support for disadvantaged people, as well as international aid & development and sustainability.  

Recipients will participate in their respective programs between August and November 2009.   
The scholarships have been funded equally by AICD and ASF; they range in value from $870 for The Not-for-Profit Board one-day program to $8,200 for the five-day Company Directors Course.   

The recipients are:

AICD’s comprehensive five-day program, leading to a qualification recognised by the director community both in Australia and overseas.
 Vernon Fettke MAICD (VIC)
Director, Mambourin Enterprises, Wyndham Community Foundation; promotes independent living to the disabled.
 Tim Curran (NSW)
CEO, Carewest Inc; Director, Compass Housing; provides support services to disadvantaged people in regional NSW.
 Valued at $8,200

A suite of six AICD orientation courses for directors (6 half-days or 3 full days), 
 Lincoln Hopper (NSW)
Executive Leader, Community Services, Mission Australia; a nationwide community services organisation with particular focus on homelessness, unemployment and youth. 
 Lyn Jones (WA)
General Manager, Strategy, Silver Chain Nursing Association; Director, People Who Care; provider of community, residential and health services.
 Valued at $2,610

An AICD In-Focus program, conducted over one full-day. 
 Darren Lomman (WA)
CEO, Dreamfit Foundation; designs innovative recreational equipment for people with disabilities.
 Phillip Kingston (VIC)
Vice Chairman, Centre for Sustainability Leadership; empowers young people through education to make their communities more sustainable. 
Theresa Fischer (QLD)
Director, Aliamos; humanitarian NGO, empowering communities globally. 
Lisa Grinham (NSW)
Chair, Daystar Foundation; works with children to help increase their connection to school. 
Valued at $870