Governance – Page 4 – LARSEN

Palestine governance resources in The Commons

The rushed and fumbled public statements made by Australian arts and cultural organisations in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine have made failure the status quo on matters of risk and crisis management, financial sustainability and duty of care – including the statements many have made with their silence.

A collection of my provocations on Palestine as a governance issue have been collated and republished The Commons Social Change Library.

And another thing: governance and menopause

For International Women’s Day 2024, my ‘and another thing’ vlog talked about menstruation and menopause in the context of governance and duty of care, as well as a logical extension of occupational health and safety.

Dear arts organisations

Amongst everything else, the last several months have been a crash course for boards, leaders and organisations in risk and reputation management, crisis communications and duty of care from the pointy intersection of arts and human rights advocacy.

Inspired by my recent vlog series on why boards need to talk about Palestine (but applicable more broadly), here’s my attempt at framing the sorts of conversations going on amidst the hurt and panic, best and battered intentions, solidarity and silences right now.

My 2023 writing year

In a nothing-short-of-extraordinary writing year, 2023 included the launch of my debut poetry collection, completion of the next edition of The Relationship is the Project, self-publication of my grandmother’s memoir, neiphling’s picture book and family musical, articles in three literary journals, new poems in print and online, and more.

Board members, we need to talk about Palestine

Like everyone else at the moment, Australian arts and cultural organisations have been making headlines for what they are or are not saying or doing about the daily and devastating breaches of international law and human rights happening in Palestine and Israel right now.

And another thing: duty of care

Our arts, cultural and other for-purpose sectors are designed to put others first – but we’re much better at doing so for our audiences and constituents than we are for ourselves.

This month’s ‘and another thing’ vlog for my Patreon followers uses the examples of the Voice to Parliament referendum, ethical fundraising and our ‘post’-pandemic workforce crisis to talk about Board members’ duty of care to their organisations, teams and each other.

Beyond the governance gaps

Past and present board members and those who support our boards—I want to thank you. In the machine of arts, cultural and not-for-profit governance you are one of our most necessary cogs: legislated, expected and required. From statutory authorities to volunteer-run collectives, you underpin all of our work.

The skills you must wield are varied and plentiful, yet your presence, consideration and time receive little or no remuneration—and often little thanks. But your work is a literal gift, an extraordinary, mandated generosity—without which our organisations would not be allowed to exist.

Category: Governance