News4Leaders Governance Corner

The end of the year is always a great time to reﬂect on how we have fared over the year. Sometimes in the business of work and life we lose sight of all that has been accomplished and where we have come from, so standing back and reﬂecting is always a good chance to take in all that has happened over the past 12 months.

Good governance calls boards to review their performance regularly to ensure that it is working effectively and to make sure that the organisation is on track to achieve its agreed strategic intentions. I also feel that it is important to ensure that the culture of the board is strong and in line with the vision, mission and values it has set out to achieve as well. “Culture begins from the top” so it is crucial that a board’s culture reﬂects these intentions.

LESNW have been incredibly busy and proactive this past year with some great outcomes being achieved for the wider family of learning communities. A great deal of work is being done to realise the 5 strategic intentions developed and agreed on by the learning communities. It has been a privilege to be part of these groups and to see the dedication and passion of those involved; All wanting LESNW and its members to be the best they can be.

Some of the highlights for me over the past 12 months are:

Endorsing loans in excess of $45 million to learning communities to grow and improve facilities and services
Working with the LCA on streamlining the loan approval process to create greater clarity and efﬁciency
Seeing the formation of a Women in Leadership working group as a direct result of the strategic intentions goals
Hearing of the great connections and sharing of ideas through leadership groups in the region
Seeing the strategic intention goal working groups develop strategies to implement & realise the goals set out
The Business Planning Framework being rolled out to learning communities to better equip them with their own strategic planning
The FRAC working together to ensure that LESNW is a vibrant and sustainable business through risk management
The LESNW regional team members sharing with the board during the year on the initiatives and programs that are happening

It is truly exciting to be part of such a dynamic and committed organisation! I commend John Proeve and his team for their passion and drive.

As a board, we are mindful of the ever-changing landscape and the challenges this creates for learning communities. Strategy and risk go hand in hand and so we will be constantly reviewing key risks we all face and aligning our strategy to ensure that we continue to be a vibrant, dynamic and relevant organisation.

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Everything we do is grounded and founded in our love and service to our God who loves us and gives us a hope and future in Him. And at this time of year we are particularly reminded of the love he has and gave for us through the birth of his son Jesus Christ.

May you be truly blessed and be a blessing to others as 2021 comes to a close and look forward to the year ahead in 2022.

Yours in His service
Paul Bert