Grassroots groups learn the law

VICTORIAN Law Week begins on Monday and education sessions are set to engage not-for-profit community organisations and clubs.

Free workshops for grassroots groups on learning the law will be held on Monday, 15 May at the Ballarat Neighbourhood centre and online.

Presented by Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service and Consumer Affairs Victoria the sessions will cover how to correctly establish a group, how one can become incorporated if appropriate, auspicing options and limitations, documenting meetings, and reporting to CAV.

“It’s about breaking down the legal obligations, for people generally involved on a voluntary basis, with various community groups, from hobby and sporting groups to events,” lawyer Adrian Tinetti said.

“There’s a few aspects that can be a bit tricky to navigate, but having an understanding of the obligations and responsibilities, and knowing who you can go to when you need some help is a great start.

“The legal service and Consumer Affairs are here to help, offering community education and providing support if there are deeper issues.”

Mr Tinetti said any time is a good time for groups to be skilling up on their legal obligations, but he expects the Law Week initiative will help organisations get a head-start on their end-of-financial year reporting.

“People can ask questions, and we’ll set up a few scenarios and examples to make it all clear for the audience, depending on their level of understanding,” he said.

The initiative is part of a community governance program presented by the regions four neighbourhood houses, and the City of Ballarat.

Project coordinator Kay Miller said concerns commonly raised by community groups involve applying for grants, or insurance.

“If they want to run something, they can’t get insurance unless they’re incorporated,” she said.

“Once they get big enough to operate out of a hall, or want to run an event, or take something to a market, they need insurance, and that can be a stumbling block.

“But getting incorporated is not hard. We don’t want people to be put off, and for their intent to do something worthwhile to be thwarted by the legal process.

“It should enable them, not hinder them.”

Session one will run in-person from 10am to 12pm at 11 Tuppen Drive Sebastopol, and session two will run via Zoom from 6pm to 8pm.

Visit bit.ly/3M7atI6 to register, or call 0460 699 669 or email [email protected].