Real board decisions

Work through realistic Australian association cases where the answer depends on evidence, authority and judgement, with feedback that explains the reasoning behind every choice.

Tools your board can use

Thirteen interactive tools, including a board charter builder, skills and composition matrix, reserves and liquidity calculator and governance self-assessment, plus registers and templates to tailor.

Assessed, not just watched

Each module ends with an assessed task applied to your own board and a knowledge check, so you can show what you can do, not just what you have read.

About the course

Good boards are made by directors who ask for evidence, test assumptions and follow through. Across 13 modules, this course builds that judgement: governing at the right altitude, duties in hard cases, shaping the board, leading strategy, stewarding the finances, governing risk, the CEO lifecycle, conflicts and related parties, meetings that decide well, members and democracy, AI and technology oversight, when things go wrong, and evaluating and renewing the board. It is designed to follow the Association Board Director Induction, and works on its own for experienced directors. This course is general education for Australian associations, not legal or financial advice, and the certificate records course completion only.

Monthly live Q&A with Annie

Your enrolment includes a live online Q&A with me once a month. Bring your questions, test your thinking on a real situation and hear how other learners are applying the course. When: every third Tuesday of the month, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sydney time. How to attend: after you enrol, you will find the registration link in the course and in your welcome email. Register once and Zoom emails you a personal join link and calendar invitation for every session. Attending is optional. The sessions are general education, not advice for your circumstances.

Annie Gibbins

Annie Gibbins is the founder of Nexus Leadership and a five-time CEO. She is currently CEO of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society and has previously led Glaucoma Australia, the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and the Australian Institute of Ultrasound. As co-founder and a board director of the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing, she knows the board table from both sides. Annie began her career as a registered and psychiatric nurse, holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Health Science, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She won a 2023 Grand Stevie Award for Women in Business, is the author of AI for Association Leaders and The Association CEO, hosts the Lead with Annie podcast and writes the weekly Lead with Annie newsletter.

Curriculum

14 Chapters · 218 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome and how this course works

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Board Registers spreadsheet

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Legal framework reference

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading the financial statements: an annotated example

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Governance glossary

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Templates: committee charter and director code

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Board study guide

    8. Course prospectus (free preview) Free preview
    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Monthly live Q&A with Annie

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. Lesson 1.1 Match governance to your board's model Free preview
    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 1.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1.2 Represent members, not factions

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 1.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1.3 Write the board's role down

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      Practice questions: Lesson 1.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 1 Govern at the right altitude

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 1)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Board Charter Builder

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2.1 Make defensible business judgements

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 2.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2.2 Rely and delegate without abdicating

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      Practice questions: Lesson 2.2

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      Lesson 2.3 Map personal liability and protection

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      Practice questions: Lesson 2.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 2 Duties in hard cases

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 2)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3.1 Map skills, experience and diversity

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 3.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3.2 Design committees and use advisers

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      Practice questions: Lesson 3.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3.3 Plan terms, rotation and renewal

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      Practice questions: Lesson 3.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 3 Shape the board

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 3)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Board Skills and Composition Matrix

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4.1 Set direction with management

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 4.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4.2 Test strategic choices

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 4.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4.3 Monitor outcomes and member value

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 4.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 4 Lead strategy as a board

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 4)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Board Strategy Oversight Questions

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5.1 Read for sustainability

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 5.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5.2 Set a reserves and investment policy

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 5.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5.3 Oversee audit, controls and fraud risk

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 5.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 5 Steward the finances

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 5)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 5 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Reserves and Liquidity Calculator

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6.1 Set and use risk appetite

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 6.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6.2 Get assurance, not just reports

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 6.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6.3 Lead a risk deep dive

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 6.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 6 Govern risk

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 6)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 6 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Risk Appetite Statement Builder

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7.1 Recruit, renew or appoint a CEO

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 7.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7.2 Set delegations and expectations

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 7.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7.3 Review, reward, support and plan succession

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 7.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 7 Govern the CEO lifecycle

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 7 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 7)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 7 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 7 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: CEO Performance Review Framework

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8.1 Manage standing conflicts

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 8.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8.2 Test related party dealings and director payments

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 8.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8.3 Gifts, hospitality, sponsorship and influence

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 8.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 8 Conflicts, related parties and benefits

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 8)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 8 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 9.1 Design the board year and agenda

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 9.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 9.2 Chair and contribute to sound decisions

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 9.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 9.3 Set standards for papers, minutes and resolutions

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 9.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 9 Meetings that decide well

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 9 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 9)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 9 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 9 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Board Meeting Preparation Checklist

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 10.1 Govern member engagement and value

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 10.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 10.2 Run AGMs, elections and constitutional change properly

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 10.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 10.3 Handle complaints and discipline fairly

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 10.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 10 Members and democracy

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 10 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 10)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 10 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 10 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: AGM Preparation Checklist

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Member Code of Conduct Builder

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Complaints-Handling Policy Builder

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 11.1 Know where AI and data sit

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 11.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 11.2 Approve guardrails

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 11.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 11.3 Oversee major technology investments

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 11.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 11 AI and technology oversight

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 11 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 11)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 11 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 11 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 12.1 Lead the board in a crisis

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 12.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 12.2 Build a whistleblower system people trust

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 12.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 12.3 Respond to insolvency warnings and regulator action

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 12.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 12 When things go wrong

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 12 assessment

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 12)

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 12 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 12 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Board Crisis Governance Checklist

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Whistleblower Policy Builder

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson pack (PDF download)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 13.1 Run a board evaluation that changes something

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 13.1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 13.2 Plan chair and director succession

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice questions: Lesson 13.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 13.3 Build your governance improvement plan

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive workbook: Module 13 Evaluate and renew the board

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Workbook (Word and PDF download)

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Capstone: WCN board meeting, November 2027

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit your assessed task (Module 13)

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 13 assessment

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 13 knowledge check

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 13 knowledge check (second attempt)

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module wrap-up and readiness card

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interactive tool: Board Governance Self-Assessment

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Talk it through with Annie (optional)

Ready for your next board meeting?

Start with Module 1 and test your board against the practices that matter most.

Enrol now Free preview