Faith-Based Organisations
Institutions with missions founded in religious faith are different from other corporations and NGOs. They have objectives which depart from the standard corporate model, and often find conflict between regulatory requirements and their distinct beliefs and practices.
At the same time, faith-based organisations are critical contributors to Australia’s economy and society, not least in healthcare, education, and support for the poor and others in need. In providing these services, they are frequently held to a higher standard of accountability, and may be targeted by those who object to specific teachings and tenets of particular faiths.
This creates a complex environment requiring detailed understanding and careful treatment of issues confronting faith-based service providers. Effective strategic advice and representation of such organisations depends on an understanding that what makes them different is also what makes them strong, and allows them to deliver services and help both efficiently and sensitively.
For nearly thre-decades, H/Advisors APA has represented and counselled groups ranging from national and international faith governing bodies, through individual religious orders, to specific agencies such as schools and healthcare providers. This has covered issues as disparate as: Commonwealth and State funding; faith-based regulatory exemptions; communicating change to congregations; restructure of financial businesses; fundraising for international missions; and, development of Church property.
Alongside this, H/Advisors APA has provided strategy advice and communications around a range of crises, including in relation to: workforce disputes; quality of care; child protection matters; and declining participation rates. This work has extended to specialist advice on litigation communications, as well as counsel to multiple parties around two Royal Commissions.
EXPERIENCE
Review and changes to governance, legal and asset structures.
Sale or closure of services.
Leadership and directional changes.
Issues management around child protection, workplace-related issues and treatment of volunteers.
Royal Commission, Parliamentary Inquiries and Coronial Inquest preparation and communications.
Promotion of Church based research studies of congregations and clargy around social policy questions.
Religious freedom debate advice.
Church charitable work.
