The Not For Profit Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Not For Profit Podcast
There are many not for profit organisations in the world, all with different goals and objectives. Some of them succeed while some don’t. Running or setting up a not for profit is rife with challenges and responsibilities.
That's why The Not For Profit Podcast exists. This podcast will guide you through all things not for profit. You have questions, you say? We have the answers—anything from the basics of setting up one to finance and board compliance.
There are no limits to what this show will cover. So for all not for profit organisations, sit back and take in all the great insights we’ve got for you.
You may find yourself getting lost in your job and forgetting about yourself and your family in the process. When this happens, it also affects how you interact and work with others. By learning how to draw the line between being doing good work and overworking yourself, you can positively affect your relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and your coworkers.
In today’s episode, we will be talking with Brett Ryan, CEO of Focus on the Family, about three main points: 1) having work and life balance, 2) taking care of yourself, and 3) keeping your tasks in line with the NFP’s mission.
Tune in and know more about how you can become a better person for yourself, your family and your company.
About Brett Ryan (2:44) He has been a husband for 30 years and a father of three sons. He is also a former critical care nurse. Brett was a children’s and family pastor in Melbourne for 12 and a half years. He is currently the CEO of Focus on the Family for six and a half years.
Work and Life Balance (5:01) Set some parameters. Learn how to delegate tasks. Learn to prioritize. Spend time with your family. Treat your special someone like a bank account: deposit quality time before making withdrawals.
Taking Care of Yourself (10:38) Self-care is vital. Let other people care for you. Have someone to talk with about yourself. Avoid taking all the burden and let yourself share it with others.
Being a Team Builder (15:06) Teach by modelling what needs to be done. Delegate tasks. Do not micromanage. Empower your people. Learn how to take care of others. Do not be afraid to take charge. Learn from others. Work hard.
Avoiding AnalysisParalysis (17:06) Know who to listen to. Older people have more experience and have old school thinking. Look for people who are more cutting edge and innovative. Learn to discern what is best for your people in the long-term.
Keeping Yourself on Track (18:42) Stay true to your foundations. Uphold your core values. Focus on your specialty and expand it.
Dealing with Negative Feedback (22:57) Embrace the antagonistic feedback. Negative feedback means interactivity. You can use this as an opportunity to explain and expound on your thoughts about the issue.
Who is Brett Ryan?
Brett Ryan is the current CEO of Focus on the Family Australia. Before becoming a CEO, he worked as a critical care nurse in an intensive care unit, and then he became a children’s and family pastor in a church in Melbourne. He helped people with their physical and spiritual needs. Now, Brett helps them with their social problems with their families. He has been married for 30 years and has been blessed with three sons and a grandson.
Contact Brett Ryan:
Focus On The Family Australia
If you have any questions, you may email me at matt@thenotforprofitpodcast.com.au. You can also visit our Facebook page for more details.
Thanks for listening!
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One of the most challenging parts of running an NFP is accounting. It can be overwhelming to keep track of your cashflow manually. Additionally, it can take much of your time to send out invoices and double-check the numbers.
In today’s episode, we will talk about the Xero Accounting Package and its features. I’ll give you an overview of what Xero looks like, and I’ll teach you how easy it is to use.
Check out the highlights of the episode below and make sure to tune in!
Xero Accounting Package (0:04) Before you log in, there is a two-factor authentication to ensure security. Once logged out, everything will reset.
Dashboard Screen (1:06) It gives us a glance at what is happening in your account. You can change what it can display according to your preferences. The main screen area has two columns. The left side consists of your bank accounts and credit cards, while the right side includes invoices, bills to be paid, and expense claims.
Bank Reconciliations (2:22) Matching items with your bank statement is simple with Xero. You can visit Xero’s videos and watch the step-by-step guide on how to manage your bank account in your profile. Anything green on the information indicates that Xero has found a match with the bank statement line. By clicking “okay” to match the records, it has added a transaction to the bank line. At the end of the month or when the company receives a bank statement, they can print out a reconciliation report.
Invoices (8:17) The right side of the column is the information a company has sent out. You can create new invoices directly in Xero.
Conversion Balances (10:28) Conversion Balance allows a company to bring information from another package or from a new system, which the company sets up to open balances and do reports. You can easily add and remove accounts in this portion. You can also set your conversion date whenever you want it to be.
Payroll Account (14:11) It shows information about your payroll: your previous payment and when the next would be. Team members can apply for their leave directly from their log-in.
If you have any questions, you may email me at matt@thenotforprofitpodcast.com.au. You can also visit our Facebook page for more details.
Thanks for listening!
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After fourteen episodes of inviting guests to talk about their experience in the Not for Profit sector, I decided to do something different. The Not for Profit sector is not for everyone, you need to have passion, compassion, and commitment. It’s hard to be in the NFP sector if you weren’t made for it.
So for today’s episode, I‘m handing the reins over to someone I trust enough to interview me about myself and what I do in the Not For Profit space. Charley Valher, Chief Podcast Officer at Valher Media will be asking me some questions which will help you understand more about me and what I do.
This is going to be an interesting episode so be sure to tune in and stay with us until the end!
Matt’s NFP Story
How Matt Ended Up In The Not For Profit Sector 18 years ago, Matt was in a place where he had no idea where to settle in life, with no real desire to go anywhere or do anything. Matt started working for his father in law in their auditing business and loved what he was doing. Most of their clients were from the NFP sector, and that’s what got him in. Matt continued working in the NFP sector because of his love for the industry and the people. Matt believes that God has put a mandate in his heart to help people, churches, and the NFP sector.
Dealing with Misinformation in the NFP Sector A lot of people don’t know where to find information. Matt says it’s his job to help newcomers in the NFP sector navigate their way around. The website for NFPs is a minefield and Matt helps people find information quicker and easier, making the process simpler all-in-all.
The Ever-Evolving Not For Profit NFPs have become more complicated over time since Matt’s involvement. Confusion arose together with the involvement of a few different departments. People were having trouble with who they were supposed to report to or not. Finances are a bit of a problem for most NFPs. Legal terms and jargons add to the confusion and that’s where Matt’s expertise comes in.
NFPs in 2020 The biggest change in 2020 for NFPs is the fundraising side of things. It’s going to be both a good and bad year for all NFPs. Bad—because most NFPs will be required to do regulated reporting particularly to the ACNC. Good—because it’s a good time to build and take up a relationship with an accountant or auditor, making this an opportunity to grow. Matt believes that working with people who are professionals when it comes to their calling, it’s going to make your job easier.
Why Matt Chose Podcasting About NFP Matt says he wants to cover all things NFP but at the same time, he also wants to ensure the growth of startups and smaller NFPs. Matt wants to get all the information about NFP across. For one-man bands that wish to grow from $100,000 to a million dollars, Matt wants to address their need for information on such an important topic. Matt chose podcasting as an avenue to get information out to as many people as he quickly can.
Future Topics for The Not For Profit Podcast The difference between Xero and MYOB Matt wants to talk about the numbers, believing that this information will allow NFPs to make informed decisions. How to set up fringe benefits for pastors in the different packages using Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks, etc. Matt wants to talk about the accounting stuff because that’s his passion and strength, How to do stuff with ACNC Where do you go to get help in starting/raising funds for your NFP? Are there different rules for NFPs in different states? Matt wants NFPs to think big—setting up how big they want to be and how they can achieve those goals.
Common Things that Catch People Out in the Financial Side of the NFP Space Three biggest things that Matt finds common with his clients in the previous 18 years:
1: They don’t put enough effort into accounting.
2: Reporting and compliance—there are fines in place if you don’t do these.
3: Relationships—building relationships is important in the NFP sector.
Tips that will help in solving the abovementioned problems: Tip #1: Enroll in programs that will help with your accounting. Tip #2: Comply with the standards set by ACNC to avoid fines. Tip #3: Get on NFP groups, community groups, and/or Facebook pages that talk about NFP so you don’t feel alone. Compliance helps business owners in a sense where the government is able to remove dodgy operators. The second component is business owners are compelled to level up and take things more seriously.
Common Traits of Successful NFPs Every NFP is different, but one thing common is their well-systematized business. Most people don’t realize that they have to run their NFP as a business. You need to have a good system in place, you cannot make a good decision based on bad information. Successful NFPs focus on their core beliefs and they don’t waver from them. “You do good things, good things happen.”—It’s a universal law that is common and that works, not just for NFPs but even in business.
If you want to know more about Matt Williams and what he does in the NFP sector, you may visit his website: Platinum Audits. If you have any ideas about any topics you would like to hear us talk about, or want to see and hear any guests come on the show, don’t hesitate to send me an email at matt@thenotforprofitpodcast.com or reach out to us at Facebook and LinkedIn.
For more information on Charley Valher, you may visit his website: Valher Media.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to leave your comments below. Until the next episode!
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Empowering children in the age of human trafficking is no easy feat. Efforts made to combat this must not end with one-time acts of charity. We must strive for long-term generational change.
In today’s episode, we will be talking to Rikky Murphy, the International Director of Project Justice International (PJI). He will share with us how they achieve their mission by 1) maintaining and measuring effectiveness in their organization, 2) collaborating with other institutions for their advocacy, and 3) focusing on one village instead of focusing on many.
Find out how YOU can make a change by tuning in!
Beginnings of Project Justice International (3:34) Rikky Murphy visited Thailand to see his parents, and the humanitarian work they do for the children inspired him. Later on, he moved to Thailand with his wife and started different community projects to donate money to those in need. He eventually met Somkiat, founder and executive director of PJI, and was invited to help start the foundation.
Getting Involved with the Community (5:36) Rikky felt a genuine passion and care for the children who weren’t going to school, but he does admit feeling overwhelmed. Rather than moving to Thailand right away, he went back to Australia to teach for one more year to save up money. When he returned, he learned more about prevention work and decided he wanted to pursue it.
Challenges Faced (7:57) PJI heavily emphasizes the role of education in preventing child trafficking. Their team often deals with risk factors affecting the community, such as children being out of school, presence of drug and alcohol abuse, and lack of emphasis on education. Aside from this, children in Thailand are not automatically granted citizenship in their own country, making it difficult for them to enrol in government schools.
The Solution (9:29) Focus on one village at a time and go deeper into this in the long term. Rikky talks about the importance of understanding the village, communities, and hierarchy in Thailand. They focused on building relationships with the community from the ground up. They also create a position of authority so that they are respected in the community. The important thing is to be consistent.
Focusing on One Village (13:05) How do they focus on one village and say no to others? Rikky observed that groups who didn’t invest in the long term didn’t lead to generational change. No impact was seen in the communities months later. Despite it being difficult to say no to other communities, their team saw change after years of focusing on a single community, such as improved family structures.
Measuring Effectiveness (15:05) Setting a strong foundation is the first step to becoming effective. PJI rates their effectiveness by monitoring the number of days children in the village attend school every week. Other means of measurement include organizational policies and having key indicators and outcomes for their programs. Best way to measure effectiveness: be on the ground and see the impact firsthand. That way, they can make adjustments as they go along.
The Role of Collaboration (18:46) PJI also does rescue operations by working with the police to provide prosecution assistance. It sends a message that those who will continue with these kinds of operations will be prosecuted.
Tools to Combat Trafficking in Social Media (21:23) Rikky discusses common misconceptions about human trafficking. Adult trafficking is also present in the form of false job advertisements on social media. The investigation team from PJI scours through social media for commonly used words and phrases used by traffickers. Rikky discusses their collaboration with the police and NGOs to prosecute perpetrators.
Who is Rikky Murphy?
Rikky Murphy is the International Director of Project Justice International. He spent his earlier years teaching in Australia. After discovering his passion for the Thailand community, he and his wife moved to Thailand and eventually dedicated their lives to empowering children in South East Asia.
Contact Rikky Murphy or donate to PJI:
Project Justice International
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It’s crucial to have values of your own. Values that you stand on and firmly believe in. These values will keep your integrity intact no matter where you go.
In today’s episode, we will be talking to Ben Naitoko—Senior Pastor of King’s Church, Gold Coast about three main topics: 1) The alignment of values of the Church and the Pastor that takes over, 2) Being an itinerant pastor to full-time pastor (the changes and adjustment period), and 3) The external perception and what he did to push across with it.
Lots of insight in this episode so tune in and enjoy!
About Ben Naitoko (3:01) Ben Naitoko is the Senior Pastor of King’s Church, Gold Coast. Ben started running King’s Church in 2018. He’s been in the ministry for 20 years.
Adapting and Adjusting (4:10) From itinerant pastor to full-time pastor, how did Ben adjust? Ben shares that being an itinerant pastor for the longest time has prepared him for his role today as a Senior Pastor. The church was already established so there needs to be a level of flexibility in taking over. Ben applies some of the dos and don’ts of his previous ministry to his present ministry. Ben allowed the people in leadership positions to adjust and think if they wanted to continue the journey with him.
Values (8:18) Ben took over the church in a troubled state, so more than vision, he brought his values in. Values were the most important thing during that time, rather than vision. Ben received advice when he revealed his desire to take over a church: “Write down six top values he has and never take a church that doesn’t have four of them.” Values are like glue—they are the sticking point that keeps everything together. Ben makes sure that the people in every leadership position represents their values.
The Church and The School (13:45) Being the largest independent Christian school in Australia, it was not ideal for the senior pastor to handle being chairman of both school and church board. About branching out Ben is committed to doing campus ministries.
About Building Schools (18:01) Are there future plans for building a school elsewhere? Ben talks about the numbers. Ben discusses the advantages of running a private school. Building a brand—Christian schools are known for Christian values. In a broad sweeping statement, for a Christian school to do well, they need to offer a strong quality education.
Branding (21:31) Branding sounds a bit too secular to be called as it is for a church. The reality is everyone has a brand. For the church, it’s the external perception of the church. Ben did a rebranding to the external perception of their church. The rebranding brought about a change.
Who is Ben Naitoko?
Ben Naitoko is the Senior Pastor of King’s Church–Gold Coast. Ben has been doing the ministry for 20 years now. He started as an itinerant pastor, going from place to place to speak about the message of Christianity. In 2018, he became the Senior Pastor of King’s Church and has since done a wonderful job at making a good name for their church. Ben is married to Trish, his partner both in life and ministry, and they have three sons.
Contact Ben Naitoko:
King’s Church-Gold Coast
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Goals play a large part in any organisation—they serve as the driving force in moving forward. Having a goal makes it easy to see where a company is headed. However, what happens when the goals you’ve set turn out to be unachievable and quite unrealistic?
Our guest for today, Scott Watkins, Chairman of the Board for Pollinate Group Australia will answer the question we’ve mentioned above. Along with that, we will be discussing two more things: 1) Mergers of NFPs, and 2) Having effective communication tools within the board and volunteers.
This is going to be an interesting and valuable conversation so make sure to tune in until the end.
About Pollinate Group Australia (2:44) What is the Pollinate Group? What does the Pollinate Group do? Pollinate Group focuses on training women to be entrepreneurs. Scott talks about the main focus of Pollinate Group and the story behind why they do what they do. Scott shares the spark that led to the decision of an NFP merger.
Merger (5:48) The controversy behind a very rare NFP merger. What were some of the challenges and stereotypes they had to face and breakthrough when the merger started? Seeing the merger as an opportunity to scale and accelerate growth. What NFP did Pollinate Group merge with? Stepping away and sacrificing to make room for better operations. Scott talks about the benefits they gained from merging two NFPs. Lessons—things that they could have done before the merger.
Adjustments and Challenges (12:43) Scott reveals that the Pollinate Group gladly accepted the changes that the merger brought about. Acceptance came easily because the board could see clearer options ahead. Being understanding about the changes made it easier for everyone to move forward. Language and cultural barriers.
Overcoming the Challenges (14:41) Technology made working with different cultures a success. Maximising digital platforms for all sorts of communication—project planning, record keeping, documentation meetings. Tech-savvy board members have played a huge part in making it all work together. What happens to members who are not very tech-savvy?
Scope of Work (18:00) Who mediates between the board and the ground personnel? Board members are involved in specific aspects of the operation. Scott shares the different functions of each member of the organisation. Board members at the Pollinate Group participate largely in the organisation’s operations.
Who is Scott Watkins?
Scott Watkins is the Chairman of the Board for Pollinate Group. Pollinate Group is a Not For Profit organisation that focuses on empowering women and improving the lives of people who live in India and Nepal. Their aim is to develop women into becoming the leaders of their communities. The Pollinate Group is one of the rare NFP organisations that merged with another NFP to scale and accelerate their growth. Scott is also involved with another NFP organisation namely Parkrun.
Contact Scott Watkins:
Pollinate Group
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Finance is such a big word. In every business, organisation, and community, it is vital. With our guest for today, financial sponsorships are essential. However, along with that need must come the consideration of whether or not the sponsors are aligned with the same vision as the organisation.
Today, we’re joined by Tim Oberg once again, the strategic director of Asia Pacific Parkrun. We’ll be talking mainly about how important it is to find the right alliances and sponsors for an NFP. In addition to that, we’ll also be talking about strategic partnerships and how you can coordinate them.
This episode is for everyone so please make sure you join us and enjoy!
Setting up Alliances (1:47) How did Tim find alliances and sponsors for Parkrun? How did Tim align these sponsors with the Parkrun ethos? Finding partners is easy but finding the GOOD ones is what’s challenging. The mission and vision is the standard for selecting appropriate partners. One of the components is money—having the right budget to support Parkrun. Sponsorships are similar all over the Parkrun network.
Time Management (7:38) Tim is the strategic director of Parkrun for the Asia Pacific region. Tim maximises strong volunteer support to be able to manage Asia Pacific Parkrun efficiently. What are ambassador roles? How do they help in the management of Parkrun?
Team Management (9:47) Managing Parkrun on a global scale. Communication is the key factor in resolving misunderstandings.
Individualism: Being different while being the same (12:06) How does Parkrun preserve its integrity all around the globe? What do you mean by being different but being the same? Setting non-negotiable factors. What makes every Parkrun unique?
More About Parkrun (14:37) What are the support branches of Parkrun? Parkrun’s mission is overall health and happiness. The community connections make Parkrun unique. Don’t think of Parkrun as JUST a 5k run—think of it as a way to feel good and be happy.
Finding Help and Volunteers (17:11) Never say no to anyone who wants to volunteer. Parkrun has never run out of volunteers. The benefits one can get from volunteering for events like Parkrun. Volunteerism should not be seen as a sacrifice.
Managing Finances (19:21) “A dollar out is one dollar out of your pocket and a dollar in is one dollar in your pocket.” Operate an NFP as if it was your business. Just because it’s an NFP, doesn’t mean you can’t earn a profit. Generate as much revenue as possible.
Who is Tim Oberg?
Tim Oberg is the Strategic Director of Parkrun. He is a self-motivated, energetic leader who possesses the unique ability to build rapport with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Tim is highly organised and is capable of managing multiple projects at once. Tim is an inspiring educator and speaker.
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Poverty is a huge problem all around the world. It’s a pressing issue that governments and communities need to deal with. Our guest for today is set on helping people get out of this critical situation.
Rosie Kendall, the CEO of Christians Against Poverty has been at it since the year 2013. First as a Centre Development Manager and then recently as Chief Executive Officer. Today, we will be discussing three main points: 1) What are the common factors among most people that Rosie’s organisation reaches out to; 2) Are there common factors that put a person in this financial situation? And 3) How do Rosie and her organisation reach out?
How do you make people understand that they are not alone in their situation? How do you let them know that there is help out there? To answer more of these questions, be sure to tune into today’s episode!
About Christians Against Poverty (2:52) When did it start? What does CAP do? What are their goals? How the founder started raising funds for the organisation when they first started
Rosie’s Story (5:38) How Rosie got involved with CAP What was Rosie’s first job at CAP? What brought Rosie to CAP Australia?
The Poverty Factor(s) (10:54) Rosie talks about the multi-layer of factors that lead to a person’s poverty situation. Rosie shares a story of one particular situation where the scales finally tip and the breaking point is reached. CAP’s pride is its service to the people they were designed to help. Rosie gives a quick overview of CAP’s process in helping people get out of their poverty situation.
The Gap (13:50) The gap between the people CAP has helped and those who haven’t been helped yet. The reasons behind the massive gap between “helped” and “not helped” YET.
More about CAP (15:55) The church runs CAP, but it’s for everybody. The church as CAP’s resource centre. CAP does not look at a person’s religious views, they help everybody. CAP is completely FREE.
Being Debt-Free (18:00) Reaching out is the hardest step. Rosie gives a quick walk-through of what happens when people finally make the call and reach out to CAP. Being debt-free versus being there: What stands out and what do people in need find more significant? The milestone of becoming debt-free.
Who is Rosie Kendall?
Rosie Kendall is the Chief Executive Officer of Christians Against Poverty-Australia. Rosie has been in the organisation since the year 2006. She started as a volunteer and eventually became the CEO in 2017. Christians Against Poverty helps people alleviate their financial burdens by guiding them and walking with them hand-in-hand on their journey to becoming debt-free.
If you’re listening to this podcast and realise that you need help or know someone who does, don’t hesitate to call the Christians Against Poverty hotline: 1-300-227-000
For other concerns, you can reach CAP through their website: Christians Against Poverty.
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"Two is better than one." With any goal, business, or anything we do, it's always easier when we are not alone. I'm sure a lot of you will agree with me on this, that's why we're bringing in our guest to talk about collaboration. Why is it important, especially for NFPs?
Andrea Watkins — the Humanitarian Hub Coordinator of NSW Humanitarian Hub will be talking to us about these three main points: 1) Going in-depth about collaboration; 2) Managing collaboration and keeping it simple; and 3) Volunteer training and its impact to the organisations.
Andrea's Introduction (2:39) What is the humanitarian hub? The reason behind the Humanitarian Hub's existence Andrea gives a quick backstory of her previous experiences before going into NFPs
Finding Volunteers (6:24) Volunteers are dwindling a bit — how hard is it to find volunteers? Andrea tells us how she finds volunteers. Collaboration includes supporting one another and sharing volunteer resources.
Volunteer Database (8:13) What does a volunteer database look like? How does the database work? An overview of the database's functions
Being Collaborative in Spite of the Differences (9:41) The four organisations in the hub have different functions. How do they come together and collaborate? Andrea talks about making collaboration work in spite of the differences. The main ingredient in making organisations collaborative. Being COMMITTED and HONEST – two factors that are essential in making collaboration efforts successful. Why it's important always to keep communication lines OPEN?
Funding (12:19) How does the hub get funds? Andrea names the three philanthropic organisations who fund the hub. How far has the funding allowed the humanitarian hub to go? Working together equates to the easier accomplishment of tasks.
Into the Future (14:14) What are the hub's plans for the following years? Andrea tells us how speaking at different events has allowed her to promote the power of collaboration.
Collaboration (15:37) Starting with collaboration Trust and respect — two important values that allow collaboration to happen. Having similar values, same objectives, and core purposes — why do these things matter? The hub is strictly for volunteers NOT fundraising — how does this help in achieving the hub's goals more easily? Keep collaboration simple.
Volunteer Training (18:23) What is the bespoke training for volunteers? What are the topics included in the bespoke training? How many volunteers join each session? How has bespoke training helped the volunteers so far?
Who is Andrea Watkins?
Andrea Watkins is the coordinator at the New South Wales Humanitarian Hub. Not for Profits have always been her passion. Today, as the hub's coordinator, she helps volunteers understand their functions and roles by offering training. Andrea also helps more people understand the power of collaboration by speaking at events.
If you wish to contact her, you may go to the New South Wales Humanitarian Hub website by clicking here.
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To succeed in a certain niche, you have to be passionate about what you’re doing. You have to be motivated enough to stay in the game. Passion ignites the flame—at least that’s what most people say. And Not for Profits are no exception.
Today, I will be talking to Nic Marchesi—one of the most famous personalities in Australia when it comes to Not for Profits. We will be discussing three main things that he sees necessary in an NFP, namely: 1) Being passionate; 2) Structuring a business to share it with others; and 3) Helping others.
To learn a lot more about NFPs, go ahead and tune in to this episode.
Nic’s Introduction (2:05) Orange Sky is Australia’s first-ever mobile laundry service that started in October 2014. Orange Sky’s initial mission statement was to improve the hygiene standards of people who were having a hard time. Eventually, Orange Sky’s mission statement evolved as they got in touch with the community. Orange Sky’s current mission is to connect communities by sitting down and having great conversations.
The Growth of Orange Sky (3:13) Orange Sky now has 29 vans operating all around Australia. Orange Sky also has two vans in New Zealand.
The Birth of Orange Sky (4:01) Lucas and Nic had the opportunity to see the harsh reality of tough living when they were in high school. After high school, they wanted to find a way to continue helping the community. An encounter with a homeless man named Harry encouraged Orange Sky to go out and help more people.
Getting More People Involved (5:22) Community service providers add value to Orange Sky’s operations. Orange Sky currently has 1800 volunteers in Australia, 200 in New Zealand. Nic says the only reason Orange Sky still exists is because of the generosity of people who are donating to their cause. Orange Sky has a team in Brisbane and all around Australia who do everything from building vans to fundraising and admin support.
Passion (6:53) Everyone who runs an NFP has to have passion. Otherwise no one would do it. Passion aligned with purpose is essential.
An In-depth Look Inside Orange Sky (7:37) Looking back, Nic understands the importance of the decisions they made. The YESes and the NOs were all essential to get them to where they are now. Nic shares their experience when they were starting until they became a company.
Challenges and Solutions (12:51) When Orange Sky just started, Nic and Lucas understood the need to empower more volunteers to operate safely and sustainably. The challenge: No tools, no processes, no software to help Orange Sky achieve their goals. The solution: Creating their own software. The plus factor: Orange Sky now helps organizations with similar challenges making it a revenue stream for their cause. Nic says that challenges are a part of the Orange Sky ecosystem, and it’s something they’ve learned to embrace. From getting machines to work in the back of their vans to supporting people More challenges include branching out into a different country, growing in remote indigenous communities.
The Numbers (17:10) Orange Sky didn’t look at social impact or revenue targets at the beginning. The realization of the financial situation came about with their growth. Having clear objectives gives a sense of direction. Orange Sky has a 26% ROI increase from their previous financial year.
Who is Nic Marchesi?
Nicholas Marchesi, who they fondly call Nic, is one of the co-founders of one of the biggest NFPs in Australia—Orange Sky. At first glance, you may see it as JUST a mobile laundry service, but it’s the first-ever of its kind. Orange Sky reaches out to the community by helping people who are having a tough time—from making laundry accessible to them to sitting down and having conversations. Orange Sky goes beyond providing basic needs, such as laundry. It touches lives by offering additional support morally and emotionally.
If you’d like to connect with Nic Marchesi, you can reach him through Orange Sky’s website: orangesky.org.au You can also connect with him through LinkedIn if you wish to learn more about their cause and how you can help.
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In life, there are different phases and stages we go through. No matter what phase or stage you are in, you will always look forward to that “one step higher”. But getting there is not by chance. You have to think strategically and be passionate about what you’re doing.
Today, Julie Mckenna, Owner and Chief Financial Officer of Friends with Dignity will tell us about her story. She will share with us how passion and sacrifice brought her to where she is right now. Furthermore, Julie will reveal to us what it truly takes to build something for the next level.
If you’re at a point where you’re ready to take the next step higher—listen and tune in to today’s episode.
Julie’s Backstory(1:45) Julie recounts starting as a volunteer in the NFP sector. Julie used to belong to the corporate industry as an international investment banker. Julie explains that Friends with Dignity is an NFP that assists men, women and/or children who have been victims of domestic violence. What experience did Julie go through that made her stand strongly for an NFP such as Friends with Dignity? How Julie managed to take the leap of faith from a well-paying sector(the corporate world) to the NFP sector Julie gives a little insight about how passion and sacrifice both come together for the sake of pursuing advocacy in the NFP sector.
The Hardest Role in Being the Founding Director and CFO of Friends with Dignity (8:44) The difference of working in the corporate world in contrast to Julie’s role at Friends with Dignity. What are some of the hurdles a volunteer-based NFP has to face, especially when talking about availability and time? Julie shares the struggles they are currently facing—the transition of one person taking on multiple roles to bringing in a team that will take on individual roles. Identifying the tipping point—Julie talks about what made her decide to bring more people in to do the individual tasks.
The Startup Stage: How did Julie coordinate with her co-directors? (13:49) Tailoring one’s skills and capabilities according to the needs of the different sectors in the business. Julie emphasizes the importance of auditing in the startup. Transparency and excellent communication was and still is the vital element that allowed Friends with Dignity to work and grow.
Time Machine: If Julie was to go back, would she change anything? (17:19) Hiring more specialists. Having an in-depth understanding of their NFP organization. Taking the AICD course earlier—Julie recommends it.
Julie’s Piece of Advice (19:16) Take the AICD course. Think more strategically about who you have on the board.
Who is Julie Mckenna?
Julie Mckenna is the Owner and Chief Financial Officer of Friends with Dignity. For Julie, NFPs have been her passion ever since. After experiencing a tragic loss because of domestic violence, Julie pushed for assisting men, women, and children who have been victims of domestic violence.
Contact Julie Mckenna:
Website
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Everybody knows that for a business to succeed, you need to have a plan — systems and preparations you need to put in place to fail-proof your business. For a Not For Profit, what are the factors you need to consider in structuring your business plan?
In today’s episode, I’ll be speaking to Neil Drury, former managing director of Genesis Management Consulting; who is now an NFP consultant. We will be dealing with three essential points in today’s podcast, particularly: 1) How not to have a token business plan and its effect on an organization including the values and organizational structures; 2) How a business plan can be used as a tool to avoid or address risk management; and 3) How a business plan can be used as part of a collaboration between other entities.
As we go deeper into the discussion, we will also be tapping topics regarding boards, and everything essential for business planning, down to board training. So make sure to tune in for a lot of invaluable information.
Brief History of Neil’s Experience in the NFP Sector (2:16) Former Managing Director of Genesis Management Consulting Working for the Arts and Community Organizations Working for Faith Groups Working for the Government Organizing Leadership and Training Programs Being a Board Member for NFP Organizations and Churches
Two Areas in Business Planning Where Most Businesses Fail (4:04) Token Planning — The BIGGEST mistake in business planning What is token planning? Why is token planning disadvantageous? Using business planning to identify potential risks for an organization Fear of Change — The second biggest mistake in business planning Avoiding the same failures as a result of the same processes “If you’re not moving forward, you’re sliding backwards as an organization.”
Differentiating the Culture of Token Planners and Opportunity Seekers (8:54) Token planners refuse to change Opportunity seekers embrace change People who see the opportunities impact the organization through involvement and membership Seeing the opportunities in business planning gives members a sense of direction, therefore, giving them a sense of purpose.
Recommended Timeframe for Reviewing Business Plans (10:21) The recommendation depends on how quickly change happens Twelve months is a good period to stand back and take a look at where things currently are and where things are going. Having a plan is better than not having one and just wandering around.
Training (11:57) How much training is required? Do you need KPIs to measure the success of the training? KPIs are seemingly a trend nowadays and are considered important for funding requirements. Board training is important to make sure that everybody knows their responsibilities and what they need to do legally. Training helps board members be proactive and effective in their services to the organization. Create a dashboard to have a look at how things are progressing. Effective leadership creates effective organizations filled with passionate members who follow their leaders as role models.
The Role of The Board in Business Planning (14:33) The Board sets the strategic direction for an organization. A Board that looks at the future and looks at how the members are going to be engaged is crucial. The enthusiasm starts with the Board, they set the tone within the organization. Some suggestions on things to do during board meetings.
Board Structure: What works best? (16:27) How many members should a board have? The magical mystery of seven Consider location, gender, and age The nightmare of having too many people Have a board that’s willing to work together. Argumentative or compliant: What type of board should you go with?
How The Board Communicates With The Members (20:29) Communicate the decisions made by the Board. Get the members involved and engaged.
Who is Neil Drury?
Neil Drury is the former managing director of Genesis Management Consulting, and is currently an NFP consultant. Neil has over 20 years of experience enabling change, business transformation, organisational development and shaping the capability of public and private sector organisations. He is a strategist and an implementer, which is why many organisations hire him to develop strategies and plans, and then guide the implementation.
Contact Neil Drury:
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The only constant thing in this world is change. And when change comes, we have to be prepared for it. Especially in the world of not-for-profits where we can be unsure of what lies ahead.
In today’s episode of The Not For Profit Podcast, I will be talking to Brett Mcleod, an experienced general manager who is skilled in handling large Not For Profit organizations. If you want to learn what it REALLY takes to deal with larger Not For Profits, and all the strategies (however heartbreaking they may be at times) to ensure success and longevity in the industry, in spite of the ever-changing trends, then this is for you.
Tune in and stay with us until the end.
Brett’s History And Involvement With NFPs (1:14)
What got Brett involved in NFPs
What Brett had been doing before NFPs What got Brett involved in the board Brett’s first exposure to NFPs The biggest hurdle Brett had to encounter in transitioning from board to CEO
Myth: NFPs Can’t Make Profit (7:10) Terminologies You have to make profit in an NFP world for sustainability and growth Brett’s biggest financial challenge Marriage between pragmatism and faith?
How Brett Moved On From His Biggest Financial Challenge (10:26) Prayer Life How a magazine turned his financial management skills around Faith and Pragmatism had to go together Restructuring: Two restructures Brett implemented in the organization Brett’s advice to organizations going through the same financial ordeal
Restructuring: Brett’s Implementations To Make The Restructure Work (16:13) What are the non-negotiable elements of the organization that HAVE to continue? What are the roles and functions we need to fulfil on a scaled-down version? What are the skill sets we need to fulfil those roles and functions? The importance of scaling back to move forward
Brett’s Realizations After His NFP Experience (18:48) What is the critical aspect of an organization? The Carver Governance Model Governance VS Operational-minded How does the Carver Model affect relationships within the organization? In what way?
Who is Brett McLeod?
Brett McLeod is an experienced general manager who is very skilled in handling large Not For Profit organizations. He was once a board member for Focus On The Family Australia, until he ultimately became the CEO. Brett has vast experience in business planning, coaching and entrepreneurship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science focused on Civil Engineering, but has always had a heart, a passion for Not For Profits.
Contact Brett McLeod:
This podcast is brought to you by Platinum Audits. Your “go-to” for all your auditing needs and concerns.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a devastating loss, what will it take for you to rise up? In today’s episode of the Not For Profit Podcast, I will be speaking with someone who has had to deal with the pain of the tragic loss of loved ones, and how she got on top of that to make a change.
Kerrie Keepa, our guest for today, is the founder of SOS F.A.S.T. who shares with us three invaluable lessons for not only running a Not For Profit, but also for life, namely: 1) Don’t let the loss fall by the wayside; 2) Remember, you are never alone; and 3) If you want to make a change, do it one change at a time.
So if you’re someone who is passionate about instigating change, then tune in to this episode.
Brief History of SOS F.A.S.T. (2:49) Meaning of SOS F.A.S.T. The tragedy of a devastating loss The story of the Facebook page The story of change.org petitions Going to parliament
The Drive: What kept you going? (8:21) The responsibility The passion of pursuing an issue that needs to be addressed
Expansions: What are the plans so far? (12:14) Other states are looking into it Recognizing the existence of the issue not only in Queensland but worldwide “It takes one person to change the world.” Prevalence comes faster when all NFPs work together to achieve a common goal
NFPs being prevalent: Drive from the government or from the private sector? (17:53) Don’t force anything or anyone, just plant a seed How to achieve better outcomes Work on the more important things first
Advice for others in the same situation (19:38) Know what you want to change Know your expectations Go for ONE thing that matters to be more realistic
Who is Kerrie Keepa?
Kerrie Keepa started the SOS F.A.S.T. and is really passionate about suicide prevention and awareness for a good reason. After losing her brother, two sisters, nephew and own son to suicide, Kerrie has worked closely with the Queensland government and other local politicians to implement change in training doctors, nurses, and other staff to better manage health issues when presented at emergency departments.
Contact Kerrie Keepa:
Website
This podcast is brought to you by Platinum Audits. Your “go-to” for all your auditing needs and concerns.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What are the do’s and don’ts of getting a Not for Profit up and running? Is there any unique formula to being successful at it? If you’re looking to start a Not for Profit and have the same questions, we have the answers for you.
Today, I will be speaking with Paul Geerling, the senior pastor of iSEE Church and former national director of Youth Alive. We will be talking about everything you need to have in mind when setting up a Not for Profit. In this episode, we will focus on establishing a church.
If you want to learn more, be sure to tune in to our whole episode.
ACNC’s Level of Compliance and Small Organizations Coming Into Line: Is it getting better? (5:30) What are the things you need to carefully look at to make your organization better? What are the biggest challenges small groups encounter during improvement? The solution to the biggest challenge that small groups usually face, especially when starting. The evolution of small organizations that Paul has been able to observe over the last couple of years.
What are the essential things you need before starting a Not for Profit Organization? (9:03) The different levels you need to take note of to build a strong foundation. The biggest “don’t” you need to remember to stay away from potential challenges. People you need to consult before starting. The wisest decision Paul made that got him to where he is now.
Cash Flow and Financial Status for Church Organizations: How do you set it up? (12:30) Paul advises what you need to set up your cash flow. What are the essentials you need to invest in at the beginning of your not for profit journey? The kind of people you need to surround yourself with to help you make the right decisions. To make your goals happen, these are the essential things that are part of delivering effective service and/or ministry.
What are the things you’re supposed “to do” and “not do”? (14:25) Paul tells us about his experience and what he’s learned over the last few years. The one thing that Paul wishes he had done early on so that he could have avoided some painful mistakes. What good can you get from all these mistakes to move forward?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): How do you know you’re hitting your target? (16:00) Does finance speak about the growth and health of a church? What are the goals you need to set to help you identify the growth and health of the church? What are the factors that may affect the growth of the organization? One thing you need to change over the years to make sure it still makes sense for the church.
The Board: How important are they in strategic change? (19:06) The kind of involvement the board should have is dependent on several key factors. The evolution of an organization or a not for profit on any level. What to remember when fixing an organization.
The Biggest Hurdle in Moving Forward: What changes are we about to encounter? (21:05) The biggest challenge not for profits face is in their practices and the ability to connect. Obligations you need to ensure the continuity of work does not get hindered.
Who is Paul Geerling?
Paul Geerling is one of the Senior Pastors of iSEE Church. Before starting his own not for profit, he first joined the Air Force and then went off to Bible College where he found out that he had a heart for serving in churches. He first got involved in not for profits in 1992. Paul Geerling is also a former Queensland State and National Director of Youth Alive. Both iSEE Church and Youth Alive are significantly impacting lives of people across the nation and even beyond.
Contact Paul Geerling:
Website
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A Not for Profit can be hard to manage if you don’t have the right people to back you up. That is why we have volunteers to give us a hand. When it comes to a point that it seems like there’s no one else to turn to; remember that you’re not alone in this.
Today, I talk to Kim Miles, owner of Kim’s A-Counting bookkeeping business. We will be discussing three important points you need to consider when you’re in a club or association and you’re running with volunteers: Knowing that you’re helping people to get out there and get it done; Don’t feel like you’re in the NFP sector alone; and The need to run an NFP not as a business but with a business mindset.
Making mistakes: How do you learn from them? (6:01) Honesty is still the best policy You need to earn trust
The biggest mistake people who are in the “financial stretch” make (8:04) Relying solely on volunteers Not treating positions like a job Having the RIGHT people in NFP jobs is really important Find your niche Market your niche
Strategies implemented to increase the profitability of the club (10:57) Making tough decisions is essential every once in a while Getting back to the grassroots Understanding the core of being a not for profit organisation Review the primary expectations The importance of having a having a hard-working committee
Tips for NFPs in the financial aspect (14:09) Get a paid bookkeeper Get a good auditor Train volunteers Have direct processes with paid employees
Additional Tips for NFPs as a whole (19:05) As a volunteer, be in the NFP for all the right reasons Never stop enjoying what you’re doing Understand that being in an NFP requires passion
Recommendations on specialised reports (19:55) Reports on cash flow Making sure everybody knows everything Don’t bear all the weight of the issues on your shoulders
Who is Kim Miles?
Kim Miles has been a significant part of Capalaba Football Club, for almost two decades now. She’s had multiple roles over the years from volunteer to senior chairperson, to club secretary, to club president, to her current role as Football Queensland Administrator and NPLW Opens Team Manager. Kim is also the owner of Kim’s A-counting bookkeeping business and her experience in the Not For Profit sector has been running for more than 25 years now.
Contact Kim Miles:
Website
This podcast is brought to you by Platinum Audits. Your “go-to” for all your auditing needs and concerns.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you eager to know what it truly takes to manage a not-for-profit? For certain, a good NFP will go through growth stages, and that can mean growing pains. So how can you be ensured that the meaning and simplicity of a not-for-profit does not get lost whilst moving forward?
In today’s episode, we talk to Tim Oberg, Strategic Director of Parkrun. We’ll be talking about three main points: 1) The legal setup of the entity; 2) Consistent simplicity, and 3) Managing remote teams to get the best practices and resources.
All that in this episode of The Not for Profit Podcast, so be sure to join us until the end.
The Hurdles in Starting a Not for Profit (6:15) Documents and requirements for compliance Setting up a board Creating your own constitution Financial responsibility
If you were to go back, what advice would you give yourself? (7:53) Regarding legal structures Investigating about legalities of not for profits Pay for advice if you have to
Managing the satellites: How were you able to manage everything to be similar? (10:43) Simplicity is key Being consistent and confident with who you are and what you do Understand the do’s and don’ts Repetition of the right information is a big factor Values should align Always be thankful and polite
Moving forward: When do you bring new people in? (15:07) Consider the financial status Consider the growth acceleration Do you see your not for profit growing in the near future?
How do you manage your staff? (18:55) Meeting halfway Daily communication Trust is essential Empower your team
Common issues with remote staff: Does working from home work for everybody? (22:04) Social Isolation Communication
Key factors that matter when you’re in a not for profit (24:30) Passion is crucial Definitely NOT finances Work ethics Values
Important lessons to part with (27:09) Be able to answer the question, “Are you gaining satisfaction daily from this NFP?” “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Who is Tim Oberg?
Tim Oberg is the Strategic Director of Parkrun. He is a self-motivated, energetic leader who possesses the unique ability to build rapport with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Tim is highly organised and is capable of managing multiple projects at once. Tim is an inspiring educator and speaker.
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