Brodie Lewis and Heather Nichols

Carryn Hills and Cameron Andrich recently caught up with Brodie Lewis (Business Manager) and Heather Nichols (Solicitor) to discuss Albany Community Legal Centre in respect to what keeps a not for profit successful, all things committee’s and what we (outside the sector) can gain by giving back.

How do you bring passion to paper? Especially when it’s not a topic that you thought you would be passionate about?

When Carryn first got asked to join the board for ACLC she did so under a sense of obligation, little did she know how much she would gain and learn from the experience.

So much of the knowledge Carryn has gained in acting on the board for ACLC is transferable to “for profit” business, with the added bonus that it keeps her better connected to the community. In sitting down with Brodie and Heather, Carryn fine-tuned some of those learnings.

What can for profits learn from the not-for-profit sector?

The not for profit sector has to fight for their existence – funding has to be justified, often with efforts and work in advance of grants being received. Funding is tight, needs are high and you have to stretch every penny in order to make it count. With expenses increasing in all sectors, it has become every business owner’s focus to make sure that bottom line doesn’t shrink.

So how does ACLC do it?

Here are some of their key suggestions so that they can ensure they continue to deliver the services required in our region.

Have a clear mission and shared values. Besides a lot of other well-known benefits, this has been key in retaining employees (and everyone knows what a profit killer re-training can be!).

Have a strategic plan. This supports funding, drives initiatives and gives clear guidance to the committee for decision making. So often businesses skip this step. They may have it “in mind”, but unless this is discussed and agreed no one else can share in the strategic direction.

Look to the future. Have a longer term vision – this allows for big picture financial plans to be made more effectively.

Be an early adopter in efficiency improvements. This ties in strongly with the above point, if technology can be utilised to fill the gaps of skilled people then the capital costs are worth it.

Hire locally and train skills. It’s difficult to entice people to relocate to the regions. You can’t always get the skill requirements you need but you can train them. If you want retention, make sure the individuals align with your vision and mission.

Watch the bottom line – budget, budget, budget. Act like you are answerable to someone else for every expense, the same way a not for profit is to a committee. This behavior will make you build a solid case for your decisions on how you spend your money.

None of the above would be new information to business owners but few actually action it. It’s putting in this work that creates the success.

Read more about the absolutely amazing service that ACLC provides our region here.

The employees of the ACLC are tireless in serving our region, meeting the needs of the community and driving change in an area that often causes fear and confusion for the majority. Carryn is proud and thankful to have been able to act on the board and is looking forward to seeing all they will continue to achieve into the future.