Below is the link to a free resource on the newly launched Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which Third Sector has developed thanks to the support of Ansvar Insurance, Moores Legal, Professional Association Management Services and Third Sector Services. This resource has been developed to ensure you are aware of key implications of the ACNC, important dates and how regulatory changes will affect your not-for-profit organisation. Third Sector worked with the ACNC on this free resource and we trust it will assist your organisation in upholding the highest levels of compliance.Click here to get your copy.

 

Sourced From:ThirdSectorMagazine

The Not-for-profit Sector Tax Concession Working Group (Working Group) has released a consultation paper on tax concessions for the not-for-profit (NFP) sector. The Working Group is seeking feedback on how tax concessions for the NFP sector could be made fairer, simpler and more effective. For More Information

 

Sourced from: Australian Government 

The Australian Government’s introduction of the Fair Work Act provided a new broader test for equal pay that is based on equal or comparable work. The Australian Government supported the case of social and community sector workers before Fair Work Australia. FWA’s decision is the first ever successful pay equity claim in the national system, and a significant advance for equal pay for women. The Australian Government will pay supplementation to organisations that deliver in-scope Commonwealth programs. The Australian Government will also pay its share of the increases to organisations who deliver in-scope programs through Commonwealth-State Agreements. For More information

 

Sourced from: fahcsia

If you join or renew before December 21, 2012, you will receive a free copy of 2011-2012 Membership Benchmarking Report (by Sue Froggatt). Retailing at $90 AUD ($115 NZD), this report shows recent retention rates achieved, predicted forecasts for the next 12 months, highlights why members join and renew and much more. This fascinating report is essential reading for association executives. If you would like more information please contact us.

Members of AuSAE will notice this site looking substantially different from previously. This rebrand is part of a comprehensive suite of changes implemented as a result of a recent member survey taken to better understand the needs of our members.

 

We were overwhelmed with the response and truly appreciated the significant number of members who took the time to respond. Thank you to all those who responded.

 

We listened to what was said and understood that some significant changes would be required to ensure your membership delivers value far in excess of the membership fees charged..

 

Exciting changes at AuSAE

 

I am pleased to report that these changes are well underway including:

• Launching a new website that is structured to provide you with access to the resources you said you wanted.
• Increasing the number of events running in each region. We have already scheduled three networking lunches in each major city with more events on their way.
• Adding new membership categories to provide greater flexibility to members including Young Association Professional and Temporary Sabbatical (for those temporarily leaving the professional for family, study or other reasons).

A new management company

 

There are still more enhancements to come and we will keep you informed as these happen. To assist us to make these changes we have engaged the services of a new management company. The team at Strategic Membership Solutions are coordinating the implementation of a range of strategies designed to assist you to be more successful in your career.

 

Questions, Comments or Suggestions

 

Please feel free to contact myself or the team at SMS with any questions, comments or suggestions on 1300 764 576 (Australia and New Zealand) or at info@ausae.org.au.

 

Regards,

Tony Steven

President

The Federal Government has objected to applications from two international venture capital companies to own and operate the global internet domain name, DOT charity. (.charity) The Government’s objections cover two applications for the global top-level domain DOT.charity via ICAAN, the US based international body that oversees the top-level domain process, in its latest Government Advisory Committee (GAC) Early Warning notice. Dr Bruce Tonkin, the chief strategy officer at Melbourne IT says the Australian objections state that there is the potential to misuse the domain name in any ongoing fundraising efforts. For More Information

 

Sourced From:probonoaustralia

The call for papers for the 7th Australasian Better Boards Conference is now open. Submissions are now being accepted for original papers and presentations from experts, leaders and practitioners in the fields of governance and leadership in the non-profit sector. The theme for the 2013 Better Boards Conference is “Ideas to Solutions”. This year’s theme focuses on the practical and successful implementation of innovative solutions, systems, models, practices,tools, processes and frameworks at the board, chief executive and senior management levels of non-profit organisations. The conference will take place on the 5th, 6th & 7th of July 2013 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia. All presentations must focus on the board and/or CEO level and provide actionable outcomes for delegate. For More Information

 

Sourced from:Better Boards

Small and medium-sized charities reported a combined deficit of more than £300m in 2011 compared with a surplus of £325m in 2007, according to new figures.

 

Data compiled by the Charities Aid Foundation based on charities’ annual returns to the Charity Commission show that those with incomes of less than £1m a year had a combined income of £8.4bn in 2011 and an expenditure of £8.7bn.

 

In 2007, the combined income of charities in the same income bracket was £6.9bn against an expenditure of £6.6bn.

Small and medium-sized charities represent more than 130,000 of Britain’s 162,000 registered charities, CAF said. For More Information

 

Sourced from:Third Sector

The Not-for-profit Sector Tax Concession Working Group (Working Group) has released a discussion paper on tax concessions for the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, 'Fairer, simpler and more effective tax concessions for the not-for-profit sector'. The discussion paper can be accessed here.

The stated purpose of the discussion paper is to stimulate debate and feedback on federal tax concessions available to not-for-profit entities. The discussion paper is not intended as a position paper and does not make any recommendations to Government.

 

What is the discussion paper about?

 

The Discussion Paper seeks feedback on 57 specific questions about existing tax concessions, including:

• the categories of and eligibility criteria for income tax exemption (including for State owned entities) and entitlements to refundable franking credits;
• the deductible gift recipient categories and criteria, and asks whether the current system should be replaced by alternative options such as a fixed tax offset system or clearing house linked to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission;
• eligibility for Fringe Benefits Tax concessions and the extent to which they should be available (for example, whether the concessions should be limited to non-remuneration benefits);
• Goods and Services Tax concessions; and

· the common law principle of mutuality and whether it should be replaced with legislative rules.

The questions are broad and sweeping. They require careful consideration, as any review raises the potential for a reduction of benefits, particularly in an era of fiscal tightening. The review also provides an opportunity to iron out arbitrary anomalies in the current law.

 

For example, some organisations with varied activities may currently not qualify for DGR status under any one DGR category due to the strictness with which those categories are currently applied. As a result, they are forced to establish multiple entities to achieve their purposes if they wish to access DGR benefits. It is arguable that such entities should be able to combine their activities and operate through a single entity without jeopardising their DGR status. There are many other anomalies in the current law that are begging to be fixed.

 

The discussion paper does not discuss other announced reform measures, such as the proposal to tax earnings from the unrelated commercial activities of not-for-profits and the proposed statutory definition of charity.

 

What is next?

 

Interested parties are invited to comment on the discussion paper. Written submissions are requested by 10 am on Monday 17 December 2012. The Working Group is due to provide a report to the Government by March 2013.

 

Sourced from: Minterellison