Voluntary Boards of Management are the primary governance model for not for profit (NFP) organisations in our sector. Community management is critical to every aspect of our work and our effectiveness in achieving our social justice objectives. And yet we rarely, as a sector, discuss or debate this significant topic. NCOSS kick started the conversation about the sector's governance fundamentals at our conference in November.

NCOSS believes a fairer society is a better society for us all. It is, therefore, in everyone's interests to care about what happens to the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised in our communities. Using our 2011 Election document – Vote 1 Fairness in NSW – as a platform for discussion, this conference investigated themes of equity and respect, of cooperation and integration, of sustainability and of accreditation.

The State Plan: Which Way to Social Justice Conference was held in September 2008. It's aim was to enable the non-government sector to gain a better understanding of the State Plan and to consider how the non-government sector can work more effectively with the Government and other sectors in achieving improved outcomes for individuals, families and communities in NSW.

The Gathering Conference Sharing Our Way in Community Care for non-Aboriginal service providers was held in August 2008. This document sumarises conference proceedings, outcomes and feedback.