Student Experience Network

WEBINAR - The Secretary's Relationship with the Board
2026-05-12 13:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Board secretaries face unique challenges, from ensuring transparency to keeping accurate records—all while maintaining confidentiality.
As a result, secretaries may find themselves in a difficult position, caught between board members fighting over what should be shared with the wider public, and what should not.
This webinar equips secretaries with essential strategies for maintaining healthy relationships with the rest of the board. Attendees will leave with enhanced confidence in navigating boardroom dynamics, and gain a better understanding of how to effectively communicate with fellow board members.
This webinar will cover:

The secretary role
Interaction with the chair
Writing the minutes
Building an agenda
Confidentiality

This webinar will take place live on:
Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra: 1pm to 2pm
Adelaide, Darwin: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Perth: 11am to noon.

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $99 (inc GST)
Non-member price: $120 (inc GST)
Not an ICDA member? Sign up today! ICDA membership is completely free.

WEBINAR - Turn AI From a Buzzword Into a Practical Everyday Advantage Across Your Team
2026-05-13 11:00 - 12:00
Learn the AI Breakthroughs Associations Are Already Using (And Start Applying Them Now)
Most AI conversations are stuck in the past — still circling prompts, shortcuts, and the same predictable examples. Meanwhile, the real breakthroughs are happening quietly inside organisations that are experimenting, building, and transforming the way their teams work.
This session brings those breakthroughs out into the open.
With Chief AI Consultant – Julian Moore, you’ll dive into what’s emerging beyond the basics and see real examples from associations that have already taken bold steps forward. You’ll hear what’s working, what’s failing, and what’s about to become the new normal — not in theory, but in practice.
Julian will walk you through the workflows, tools, and experiments that are giving teams hours back every week, improving decision making, lifting content quality, and reinventing the way associations deliver value. You’ll see behind the curtain of projects we’ve already built with clients across the sector, and learn how to apply the same principles inside your own organisation.
This session isn’t about the AI everyone else is talking about. It’s about the AI that’s actually changing work.
📅 Date: Wednesday 13 May 2026
🕓 Time: 11.00am – 11.45am AEST / 1.00pm – 1.45pm NZDT
📍 Zoom
You’ll walk away able to:
· Understand the emerging AI shifts reshaping association operations
· See real examples of AI in action from organisations just like yours
· Identify practical workflows you can implement immediately
· Experiment with new capabilities without intimidating your team
· Move beyond prompts into meaningful, strategic, everyday impact
By the end, you won’t just know what’s possible, you’ll have seen it, felt it, and be ready to act on it.

WEBINAR - Embracing Change
2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Leading and managing change is an ongoing challenge as it can be ever-changing and leaders are required to embrace the change themselves, as well as guide their teams effectively through it.
This workshop will assist leaders in examining the current changes in their working environment and build some tools and strategies to more effectively lead and influence change back at work.
Learning outcomes
Following the program, participants will be able to:

Identify their reactions to change
Apply a GROWTH and can-do mindset
Logically approach change and embrace the benefits, encouraging others along on the journey
Set objectives and goals to implement strategies and tools covered during the session

WEBINAR - Understanding the Finances (Interactive)
2026-05-27 13:00 - 16:00
Overseeing the finances is probably one of the most important tasks you have as a board member. Financial literacy will put your organisation in the best position to promote and fulfil your organisation’s mission. If you don’t understand how the finances work, you’ll be at risk of getting caught up if anything goes wrong.
How well do you understand the financial performance and position of your organisation?
Join ICDA for this training course which will cover:

Why you need to understand your organisation’s finances
Financial roles and responsibilities
Legal duties of board directors
Key elements of a board financial report
Profit and Loss Statements
Budgets
Balance Sheets
Cash flow statements
Reg flags to look out for
Oversight and monitoring

Key details:
Date: Wednesday, 27 May, 2026

This session is not recorded.
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra: 1pm to 4pm
Adelaide, Darwin: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Perth: 11am to 2pm
Location: Online (Our online interactive sessions are not recorded. Participants must be available at the live broadcast time.

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $185 (inc GST)
Non-member price: $249 (inc GST)
Not an ICDA member? Sign up today! ICDA membership is completely free.

WEBINAR - Leading a Multi-Generational Workplace
2026-05-29 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
In 2025, Gen Z makes up about 27% of Australia’s workforce. By 2030, this will climb to 33% making them the single largest generational cohort in the workforce. Leaders are increasingly required to navigate teams with five generations from Boomers to Gen Alpha working side by side.
In this workshop, participants will explore the changes and challenges of leading mixed generations in their workplace.
Learning outcomes
Following the program, participants will be able to:

Identify key characteristics of current generations in the workplace
Reflect on their own unconscious bias with different generations
Build strategies to connect and work with the diversity and strengths of different generations in a single workplace.
Develop action steps to overcome challenges and build an inclusive workplace that values all team members

WEBINAR - Influencing Without Authority
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
There are many occasions in today’s workplace where we are required to influence without authority.
This could be influencing peers or project team members, managing up, customers or clients across a variety of situations. Having the courage and confidence to be assertive and get your messages across to influence stakeholders at all levels is a critical skill in today’s business environment.
This session will look at practical strategies to engage and influence in situations where you do not have line authority.
Learning Outcomes:
Following the program, participants will be able to:

Identify their blockers when influencing without authority or managing up
Reframe their blockers and lean into the discomfort of these conversations
Develop a toolkit of strategies to influence and engage
Confidently present your ideas in a logical, convincing way

WEBINAR - Cut Through Digital Noise With Communication That Gets Read, Gets Noticed and Gets Action
2026-06-10 11:00 - 12:00
Communicate Your Impact in a Way People Actually Hear
Most association communication disappears the second it’s sent. Not because the issue isn’t important — but because it sounds exactly like everything else your audience scrolls past every day.
And here’s the uncomfortable truth: You’re not competing with other associations.
You’re competing with an entire attention economy engineered to steal focus in seconds — ministers, journalists, CEOs, members… they’re all drowning in noise.
If your advocacy messages don’t cut through, decision makers move on.
If your members don’t hear the impact you’re creating, they assume nothing is happening. In both cases, silence wins — not because you’re not doing the work, but because the message didn’t land. This session shows you how to change that.
📅 Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
🕓 Time: 11.00am – 11.45am AEST / 1.00pm – 1.45pm NZST
📍 Zoom
We’ll unpack why so much association communication fails to get traction — and what you need to do to create messaging that people actually notice, understand and act on. You’ll explore how to communicate your advocacy in a way that influences power, and how to translate that same work back to members so they feel informed, represented and connected to your mission.
From storytelling and clarity to timing, segmentation and strategy, you’ll learn how to craft messages that break through the noise and earn attention in a world where attention is the most scarce resource.

WEBINAR - Project management for community organisations
2026-06-16 13:00 - 16:00
Community boards often receive funding for specific one-off projects that are within scope of their strategic objectives but may not fall under the annual operational plan or budget. Boards may also develop projects to investigate an area of concern or solve a problem in the organisation. In these situations, it’s important for organisations to be able to understand the roles of the board and of management in ensuring the project is managed appropriately in terms of inputs, outcomes and compliance.
Project management is different from day-to-day operations because projects involve multiple stakeholders, are temporary, and have measurable outcomes.

This session will cover:

The role of the board in project management

Strategic planning
Strategic alignment
Risk analysis
Budget
Monitoring
Impact evaluation
Compliance

The role of management in project management

Day-to-day management
Risk management
Delivery
Reporting

Key details:
Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
This session is not recorded
Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane: 1pm to 4pm
Adelaide, Darwin: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Perth: 11am to 2pm
Location: Online (live broadcast only. No recording is available for this session)

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $185 (inc GST)
Non-member price: $249 (inc GST)
Not an ICDA member? Sign up today! ICDA membership is completely free.

WEBINAR - Coaching Strategies / Coaching Your People
2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Coaching can be a great way to develop your people and accelerate their performance.
In this workshop, start to build your toolkit to help you coach and develop your team to build capability and help them reach their potential.
Learning outcomes
Following the program participants will be able to:

Describe what an effective coach looks like
Identify when and where coaching is the best solution
Uncover coaching opportunities in your workplace
Build a toolkit for effective coaching

WEBINAR - Financial Reporting Update
2026-06-23 13:00 - 14:00
Community Directors and Moore come together to provide an update on everything you need to know before reporting your organisation’s finances at the end of the financial year.
We’ll cover:

new requirements for 30 June
update on AASB NFP project
Current economical and regulatory environment

This Webinar will take place live on:
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra: 1pm to 2pm
Adelaide, Darwin: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Perth: 11am to noon.

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $99 (inc GST)
Non-members: $120 (inc GST)
Not an ICDA member? Sign up today! ICDA membership is completely free.

WEBINAR - Positive Workplace Behaviour
2026-06-26 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
Positive workplace behaviour is critical for an effective workplace culture. workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination are issues that can erode a positive, productive culture and create serious risks for all, yet too often we avoid dealing with these behaviours or allegations only to see them escalate.
This workshop will explore the impact of workplace behaviour on workplace culture, provide practical strategies for managing inappropriate or unlawful behaviour, and building a positive workplace culture.
Learning outcomes
Following the program participants will be able to:

Identify key behaviours that contribute to a positive workplace culture
Call our below-the-line behaviour
Describe the meaning of bullying and harassment and the impact it can have on the workplace
Build a toolkit to be able to be an active bystander where required

WEBINAR - Impact evaluation, on a shoe string (Interactive)
2026-06-29 13:00 - 16:00
An organisation which can use its data effectively will be able to tell a compelling story of relevance and success to potential funders, supporters and stakeholders. Impact evaluation does not have to be expensive and can be done on a shoestring by putting a few systems in place. Every organisation collects information, and often, an evaluation can be carried out, using just the information you are collecting anyway.

What data do you currently collect?
What is an outcome versus an output?
What are you trying to impact?
How will you ascertain how impactful your activities are?
Who oversees collecting the data?
Who oversees interpreting the data?
What data might you need, to answer the questions you have got about your impact?

Key details:
Date: Monday, 29 June, 2026
This session is not recorded.
Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Canberra: 1pm to 4pm
Adelaide: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Brisbane: 12pm to 3pm
Darwin: 11.30am to 2.30pm
Perth: 10am to 1pm
Location: Online (live broadcast only. No recording is available for this session.)

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $185 (inc GST)
Non-member price: $249 (inc GST)
Not an ICDA member? Sign up today! ICDA membership is completely free.

WEBINAR - Taking Minutes
2026-06-30 13:00 - 14:00
The prospect of taking minutes at your organisation’s board meetings may make you feel a little overwhelmed, but there’s no need to worry. If you’re well prepared, know what needs to be recorded and know what you need to do with the minutes after the meeting, then you have nothing to worry about. Join us at this webinar to learn everything you need to know to become an expert at taking minutes.

This Webinar will take place live on:
Tuesday, June 30, 2025
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra: 1pm to 2pm
Adelaide, Darwin: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Perth: 11am to 12 noon

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $99 (inc GST)
Non-member price: $120 (inc GST)
Not an ICDA member? Sign up today! ICDA membership is completely free.

WEBINAR - Organising a Great AGM
2026-07-28 13:00 - 14:00
The AGM is an important event for every organisation. It gives its members, the general public and the committee a broad overview of the organisation’s current directions and financial health, and confirms its purpose. To run a great AGM, you need to be prepared. Join us at this webinar and start getting ready for your next AGM.
At this training, you’ll learn:

Prepare thoroughly for a successful AGM
Understand and deliver the key components of AGM planning and execution
Meet your organisation’s compliance and governance requirements
Engage your members and stakeholders effectively

This 1 hour webinar costs $99 (member price) and will be held live on Tuesday 28 July from 1:00pm to 2:00pm AEST. This session is recorded.

WEBINAR - Practical Strategic Planning Your Team Will Actually Use
2026-08-06 11:00 - 12:00
Most strategic plans fail for one simple reason.
The people expected to deliver them were never truly part of the process.
This session is for association leaders who want a strategic plan that empowers the whole organisation, builds shared understanding, and gives everyone clarity on how their work connects to the bigger picture.
Belinda Moore from SMS will share practical insights from working with associations to design strategic planning processes that people understand, trust, and act on. She will walk you through a clear, usable approach that moves beyond leadership only planning and creates ownership across the organisation.
This is not a passive webinar.
You will be encouraged to reflect on how your current planning process shows up in day to day work, where alignment breaks down, and what needs to shift so strategy becomes something your whole organisation can engage with.
📅 Thursday 6 August
🕘 11.00am – 11.45am AEST / 1.00pm – 1.45pm NZST
📍 Zoom
In this session, you will:

Learn a practical strategic planning process that empowers the whole organisation
Identify the enablers that help strategy translate into action
Understand how to build clarity and confidence across teams
Ask better questions about what is really being prioritised
Leave with clearer thinking about how to make strategy usable, not theoretical

This session is about creating a plan people can see themselves in and contribute to with confidence.

WEBINAR - NFP Risk Management and Compliance Essentials (Interactive)
2026-08-18 13:00 - 16:00
Master the key principles of risk management, compliance, and governance resilience in the not-for-profit sector.
This course equips board members and senior leaders with practical strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate risks while ensuring compliance with regulatory, financial, and governance obligations. Learn how to develop and implement risk frameworks, safeguard your organisation’s reputation, and navigate crisis scenarios. You’ll gain insights into the latest legal and compliance requirements, ensuring your NFP meets industry standards and operates effectively.
At this training, we’ll cover:

Legal obligations for directors
Risk management frameworks
Cybersecurity for NFPs
Climate related emergencies
Crisis response and reputation management
Climate related emergencies

This 3-hour online session costs $185 (member price) and will be held Tuesday, 18 August 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This session is not recorded. Live attendance is required.

WEBINAR - Running a successful meeting
2026-09-07 13:00 - 16:00
If the board can be considered the mind of a community group, the meetings are the heart. This is where all the major decisions are made and the board comes together as a group to steer the organisation towards its mission. Running a successful board meeting takes work, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Join us for this interactive session which will give you the top tips and tools for running a successful board meeting.
At this training, you’ll learn:

How to prepare meetings that are practical, strategic and focused.
How to ensure all participants have the information and support they need to make informed decisions
How to shape agendas that support clear discussion and good decisions
How to lead and facilitate meetings with confidence, fairness and focus
How to manage tension, differing views and difficult dynamics
How to support a positive and productive culture within and outside meetings.

This 3-hour online session costs $185 (member price) and will be held Monday, 7 September 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This session is not recorded. Live attendance is required.

WEBINAR - Integrate AI Into Your Organisation With Strategies That Boost Efficiency, Improve Member Experience and Reduce Manual Work
2026-09-16 11:00 - 12:00
Build the AI Foundations Your Members Will Expect Next
Most associations are experimenting with AI in pockets — a tool here, a workflow there — but very few have stepped back and asked the bigger question:
What does it look like when AI genuinely becomes part of how our organisation works?
This session with Dawid Naude from Pathfindr moves beyond tools and tips and into the structural decisions that will shape the next era of association performance. You’ll explore how AI shifts from “something we use” to something that underpins your delivery, your operations, and your value to the industry you serve.
We’ll look at what organisation-wide adoption really requires – the systems, the data, the workflows, the governance, the sequencing, and the thinking that separates early adopters from those who get left behind. You’ll also hear how these shifts translate directly to your members — and how the associations leading the way are already rewriting expectations across their industries.
This isn’t a technical session. It’s an organisational one — designed for leaders who want to build AI capability with intention, clarity, and confidence.
📅 Date: Wednesday 16 September 2026
🕓 Time: 11.00am – 11.45am AEST / 1.00pm – 1.45pm NZDT
📍 Zoom
You’ll walk away able to:

Understand what true organisation-wide AI adoption looks like
Identify the structural changes that matter most right now
Translate AI capability into improved service delivery and industry impact
Prioritise the right projects instead of chasing shiny tools
Build a roadmap your whole organisation can follow
Move from experimentation to true transformation

Your industry is changing — fast. This session shows you how to ensure your organisation changes with it.

WEBINAR - Good Governance and Understanding Your Constitution (Interactive)
2026-09-22 13:00 - 16:00
This workshop has been designed to help directors understand their roles and responsibilities as a board member, and how to review and apply the organisation’s constitution.

At this training, you’ll learn to:
Undertake the roles and responsibilities of a board member

Working within the structure of the organisation
Managing competing roles and responsibilities
Following legal requirements when carrying out board duties
Monitoring operations
Receiving and acting on community and stakeholder feedback
Participating in successful meetings

Review and apply the organisation’s constitution

Linking the purpose of the organisation to the constitution
Identifying legislation that can impact on provisions of the constitution
Formulating and updating the constitution
Making sure everyone in your organisation understands and uses the constitution

This 3-hour online session costs $185 (member price) and will be held Tuesday, 22 September 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This session is not recorded. Live attendance is required.

WEBINAR - Finding Funding and Winning Grants (Interactive)
2026-10-21 13:00 - 16:00
Fundraising is the lifeblood of most community organisations, yet it’s an often-neglected task. Most organisations draw the majority of their income from just one or two sources. That’s a dangerous strategy. If one of those sources dries up, you could quickly face a budget black hole.
At this training, you’ll learn about the seven pillars of fundraising.

Grants
Donations
Crowdfunding
Membership
Events
Sales
Sponsorship

With around $125 billion given out in grants across Australia each year, this session will take an in-depth look at writing a proposal to ensure your organisation is getting its share of the money on offer.
This course is designed for grassroots community groups that want to find out where to find funding, and how to win it.
This 3-hour online session costs $185 (member price) and will be held Wednesday, 21 October 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This session is not recorded. Live attendance is required.
