Dan Saunders, Senior Associate contributes to the latest edition of the Better Boards Conference Magazine.
We’re pleased to share that Dan Saunders has been published in the April 2026 Better Boards Conference Magazine, contributing a timely article on Membership and Governance Design. The piece examines how governance reform and evolving community engagement are reshaping the way not‑for‑profit organisations structure their boards and memberships.
Dan explores how recent reforms to Australia’s deductible gift recipient (DGR) regime have sparked a broader rethink of membership and governance design across the not‑for‑profit sector. Writing for the Better Boards Conference Magazine, Dan examines the shift away from complex, community‑based membership structures toward a streamlined director/member governance model - a model that prioritises efficiency, clearer accountability and reduced administrative burden. With the repeal of the long‑standing “50‑member rule” for environmental organisations, the article asks an important question: if strong governance can be achieved with fewer members, should more NFPs be doing more with less?
Drawing on sector research, case law and governance best practice, Dan outlines the practical advantages, and risks, of removing member classes, including how organisations can manage change carefully to avoid claims of unfairness or oppression. The article offers clear, step‑by‑step guidance on consultation, constitutional reform and stakeholder engagement, showing how good governance decisions can strengthen organisations without leaving communities behind. A must‑read for boards and executives navigating modern governance challenges, this article provides timely insight into how thoughtful design can deliver stability, transparency and agility.
Read the full article in the Better Boards Conference Magazine.
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