- Thursday, 17 September 2026
For many community organisations, volunteers step into financial oversight and governance roles because they care deeply about their community, not because they have formal training in those areas.
Recognising this, Community Trust South delivered two workshops last week designed to make essential knowledge more accessible to the not-for-profit sector.
Community Trust South Strategy, Policy and Insights Manager Jess Domigan said the Trust recognises that capability support is just as valuable as financial support.
"We know that funding is only one piece of the puzzle. The people leading our community organisations carry enormous responsibility, often while volunteering their time and balancing many other commitments. By coordinating workshops that invest in their skills, knowledge and confidence, we strengthen the organisations they support and, ultimately, the communities that benefit from their mahi."
The first workshop, Financial Skills for Non-Financial Managers helped participants develop a greater understanding of financial information and how it can be used to support planning, decision making and organisational sustainability.
Attendees at the Financial Skills for Non-Financial Managers workshop
Manager for Citizens Advice Bureau Invercargill, Dianne Walker, who attended the workshop, said:
“The course was extremely useful for understanding business plans and the financial statements for a not for profit organisation and cleared up some misunderstandings I had about aspects of the process."
The Trust also partnered with the Institute of Directors to deliver a Governance Essentials for Not-for-Profits workshop, providing participants with practical guidance on governance responsibilities, leadership and accountability.
Domigan said good governance is often one of the most influential factors in an organisation's long-term success.
"Many community organisations are powered by passionate volunteers who care deeply about making a difference. Good governance gives those people the framework, tools and confidence to guide their organisations through change and make informed decisions.”
Brie Lepper, attending on behalf of Surrey Park Early Learning Centre where she is the treasurer, said making professional development opportunities accessible to community organisations can have a significant impact.
"There can sometimes be a perception that training opportunities like this are reserved for larger organisations or those with the resources to pay for them. Having access to high-quality governance training at no cost is incredibly valuable. The knowledge we've gained will benefit our committee and help strengthen the way we operate. I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned with the rest of our group."
For Community Trust South, these workshops and learning opportunities represent a commitment to support community organisations in a more holistic way and a recognition that thriving not-for-profit organisations need more than funding alone to create lasting impact.
Information about upcoming workshops and learning opportunities, held under the banner of Capability Collective, can be found here.