Online Forum to Engage NFPs in Code Consultation
7 November 2012 at 9:17 am
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Not for Profits are being urged to join an Online Forum as part of the development of a Consultation Code to underpin the National Compact.
The Code is being developed by the Office for the Not-for-Profit Sector and the NFP Sector Reform Council’s and aims to be a practical and operational guide to establishing a more effective standard of consultation between the Government and the NFP sector.
Workshops have already been held around Australia in capital cities and emphasis now is turning to an online forum that is running online here.
A spokesperson for the Office for the Not-for-Profit Sector says the forum mirrors the face-to-face workshops and is open to anyone who would like to be involved.
The spokesperson says the key points to discuss in the forum are what are the barriers to good consultation (i.e what does both Government and the NFP sector do poorly) and/or what should good consultation look like.
As an example, some of the issues raised by the NFP sector in a survey that was undertaken in March 2012 and the first workshops have been:
• The right people are often not engaged during the consultation process. For example, Government should be clear about what type of people (ie financial manager, CEO, service delivery staff, etc) it would like to hear from.
• The scope and timelines of the consultation process is not made clear from the start. For example, Government will make it clear whether it is genuine consultation where the differing views will be taken into account or whether it is an information session.
• The NFP sector does not understand how much influence they (could) have. For example, peak bodies should take more of a role in ensuring Government is aware of its views/vision before policies are set.
• The NFP sector is good at advocating on their clients behalf, but not as good with advocating on their own behalf. Government should encourage the NFP sector to advocate on behalf of the organisations and their staff.
A second forum is also available for the NFP sector to discuss ideas on appropriate governance arrangements, ahead of the commencement of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
The forums will close on 16 November.
