Media Release

They are usually unpaid, often under-appreciated, and mostly unnoticed yet they have the same legal and ethical responsibilities of an ASX Company Director.

Community Directors govern the more than 600,000 community groups across Australia, from tiny volunteer-run organisations to multi-million dollar companies. They are leading the $110 billion not-for-profit sector and the majority of them don't receive a cent for their work.

The Institute of Community Directors Australia was developed in 2015 to support and recognise the members of Australian not-for-profit boards, committees and councils, and the senior staff who support them. This year it launched its inaugural Festival of Community Directors to celebrate the thousands of individuals working hard for the community.

Director of Alumni Experience Kylie Cirak said that community directors did not serve on boards for the remuneration or the glory.

"Community directors are ordinary people with extraordinary talent and commitment who have chosen to support their community through taking on volunteer board and committee work," she said.

"They're definitely not in it for the money, and often they are unthanked, so we thought it was high time to recognise and celebrate the incredible work they do."

The Festival of Community Directors runs from April 25 to 29, culminating in the Institute of Community Directors' renowned Board Builder Conference. For Institute of Community Director members, there are free networking celebrations in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. There are also low-cost minutes and meetings masterclasses available to anyone with an interest in transforming bored meetings to effective board meetings.

"We invite anyone who is a community director to have a look at our website and consider the benefits of joining the Institute of Community Directors Australia," Kylie said. "For a low annual fee of $65 members get the recognition, reward and support they deserve. And free drinks during the Festival of Community Directors!"

To find out more about the Institute of Community Directors Australia, the Festival of Community Directors, or the Board Builder conference, visit https://www.communitydirectors.com.au/.

The Institute of Community Directors is an enterprise of Our Community, a pioneering social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia's 600,000 not-for-profit groups and schools. The organisation provides easy-to-digest information, practical tools, training and connections for not-for-profit groups across the country, both face to face and through our websites, www.ourcommunity.com.au, www.fundingcentre.com.au and www.givenow.com.au

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