Out of the Boardinary is coming to SENCON 2026

Governance training has a reputation for being dry.

For student leaders stepping into a board, senate, council or committee role, it can also feel overwhelming. Suddenly there are constitutions, meeting procedures, financial responsibilities, risk, strategy, accountability and a whole new language to understand.

Out of the Boardinary was created to make governance different.

Designed specifically for student leaders, office bearers and the staff who support student associations and clubs, the program takes complex governance concepts and turns them into practical, interactive learning that participants can apply in their roles.

And according to student leaders who recently completed the program with ECU Student Guild, it works.

“Governance can often feel like a dry topic, but Michael made it engaging, interactive and enjoyable. His energy and delivery style kept everyone involved throughout.”
ECU Student Guild Student Leader

More than sitting through two days of presentations

Out of the Boardinary is designed around participation.

Rather than simply talking about governance, participants work through activities, scenarios, discussions and practical exercises that help them understand how good governance works in real student organisations.

For one ECU Student Guild participant, that changed the entire training experience:

“This was an amazing experience. The session created a relaxed and engaging environment where it didn’t feel like traditional training at all. Instead, it felt like we were learning naturally while enjoying the process.”
ECU Student Guild Student Leader

Another participant went into the program expecting it might be difficult to stay engaged.

Their experience was very different:

“The session exceeded all expectations. I initially thought it might be difficult to stay engaged, but it was the complete opposite. It was dynamic, interactive and genuinely enjoyable.”
ECU Student Guild Student Leader

Turning complex governance into something people can understand

Student leaders often take on significant responsibilities very quickly.

They may be making decisions about funding, representing thousands of students, overseeing services or working alongside experienced university and professional staff, sometimes only weeks after being elected.

Good governance training needs to make those responsibilities understandable and practical.

One ECU participant highlighted exactly that:

“One of the key takeaways for me was learning how to communicate complex ideas in a clear and simple way, something Michael demonstrated exceptionally well.”
ECU Student Guild Student Leader

Another said the program helped them better understand what their new position required:

“The sessions were energetic and interactive, making it easy to stay engaged while gaining a deeper understanding of my responsibilities as a Senate member. It also helped me better understand accountability, leadership and the importance of fostering a positive culture.”
ECU Student Guild Student Leader

Learning by doing

Knowing the theory is useful. Being able to apply it when a meeting is underway or an important decision needs to be made is what really matters.

That is why practical exercises are a major part of Out of the Boardinary.

One participant identified the live motions exercise as particularly valuable:

“The interactive motions walkthrough was particularly impactful. Seeing the process demonstrated live made it much easier to understand and remember and I’m confident I’ll retain this knowledge long-term.”
ECU Student Guild Student Leader

Other activities helped participants explore organisational culture, future planning, leadership styles and their own strengths.

The result is training that builds governance capability while also encouraging participants to think about the type of leader they want to be.

Building confidence from the beginning

For newly elected student leaders, the first few months can set the tone for an entire term.

Starting with a clear understanding of responsibilities, decision-making and how the organisation works can help student leaders contribute earlier and with greater confidence.

As one ECU Student Guild participant explained:

“As someone new to the Guild, this session has been incredibly motivating and has given me confidence for the year ahead. I would absolutely recommend this program to others.”

Another described the value of providing training early:

“This program is an excellent way for new members to build confidence and begin contributing early in their term.”

Governance skills that extend beyond the boardroom

Good governance training is not only about understanding constitutions, motions and financial reports.

It develops skills in communication, leadership, critical thinking, collaboration and decision-making that student leaders can take with them well beyond their elected term.

One participant reflected:

“This was an incredibly valuable experience, not just for my role within the Guild, but for my personal development as well. The session encouraged a lot of self-reflection, helping me identify areas for improvement as well as strengths I can build on.”

Another summed up the experience simply:

“This program offers not just knowledge, but also inspiration and motivation.”

Out of the Boardinary at SENCON 2026

This November, Out of the Boardinary will be delivered alongside SENCON 2026, giving universities and student organisations an opportunity to upskill their student leaders as part of the national Student Experience Network gathering.

24–25 November 2026

The two-day program is designed for:

• Student leaders
• Student association and union office bearers
• Board, council and senate members
• Club and society committee members
• Student engagement and student life staff
• University staff who support student associations and clubs

Participants will explore:

• Governance foundations and board readiness
• Strategic thinking and long-term planning
• Financial management and SSAF accountability
• Risk management and conflict navigation
• Advocacy, relationships and influence

Aligned with the SENCON 2026 theme, Belong, the program also gives participants the opportunity to connect with student leaders, university staff and student experience professionals from across Australia.

Send your student leadership team

Universities are encouraged to send student leaders and the staff who support them together.

Building capability as a group can create a stronger shared understanding of governance responsibilities, improve relationships between student representatives and staff and give new leaders a common foundation from which to begin their term.

Out of the Boardinary at SENCON 2026 is available to all SEN Active Members.

Get in early to secure places for your student leaders and give them the confidence, knowledge and practical tools to make their term count.

Register here. 

Contact us to deliver your own Out of the Boardinary course.