Choice Passion Life - A Not-for-Profit Organization For Disabled Individuals In Australia, Essay.

Question:

Write an essay on the Choice Passion Life.
 

The present report is made to give its readers a fair and a clear understanding of a not for profit organization operative in Australia from the past 65 years. This organization is called Choice Passion Life and was established in the year 1948 by certain parents who were suffering from cerebral palsy. They set the foundation for the organization as they were concerned that the patients of cerebral palsy in Australia are not treated well and are not provided the facilities they deserved. The concerned parents wanted to change the mismanaged situated for their children and therefore started an organization called Cerebral Palsy League which was initiated with the intention to provide best medical support and other facilities to the individuals suffering from cerebral palsy[1].

However, with the great success and popularity of the said organization, they sooner changed their name to Choice Passion and Life to promote the fact that they no longer serve the needs of just disabled from cerebral palsy, but also help and provide services to any kind of disabled individual, child and adult all across Australia[2].

Company History – Choice Passion Life was started in the year 1948 in an Australian city called Brisbane by a bunch of concerned parents who desired to provide their children with a better future. The parents felt that they are not receiving the desired facilities and services which they deserved and feared their children would also suffer the same mismanagement, thus to provide a better environment and future to their children they laid a firm foundation of an organization which is in the present times one of the largest service providing organization in Australia for individuals who are disabled. Choice Passion Life was initially named as Cerebral Palsy League; however in 2014 its name was changed to its present name which is Choice Passion Life. The primary reason for changing the name of the organization was to make it clear that the organization supports individuals with other disabilities too other than cerebral palsy, for which the organization was formed[3]. 

Organizational Structure - Choice Passion Life is a charitable organization which was initially established to provide services to disabled individuals especially the ones suffering from cerebral palsy. Thus, CPL operates in the not for profit sector of Australia. The not for profit sector in Australia is very wide and it runs for a primary objective to achieve something other than profits. The not for profit sector usually runs to promote a good cause or to help underprivileged. Thus, the CPL is a not for profit organization which provides various services to disabled in Australia[4]. 

Company Mission & Vision Statements – Choice Passion Life is an organization which was initiated to help the disabled individuals in Australia especially the ones suffering from cerebral palsy, however as the organization became popular over the years becoming one of the leading service providers to all sort of disabled individuals in Australia covering disabled individuals of all age group and providing services from School admission to job application. Additionally, medical services like therapy were also provided by this organization. The primary aim of CPL was to ensure that the disabled live a respected life. 

Organizational Structure

Company Programmes/Activities – From the time CPL was established, it has initiated many activities and programmes for providing better services to the disabled in Australia. These programmes and activities include home care, school support and care for disabled children, creative programmes and lessons on life skills, speech therapy, OT and physiotherapy, etc. The primary program of CPL organization is the national disable insurance scheme[5].

Customer Segment –CPL is an organization which is established for the community of disabled individuals. CPL provides support and services to around 8000 children and adults in Australia who suffer from various disabilities. Thus, the CPL organization is for its customers and helps them in every routine of their life by providing necessary facilities. 

Company Financial Report – The annual report of CPL organization reflects an overview of our services, programmes, achievements, activities and financial statements. The financial report of CPL of the year 2014.15 has shown great profit margins however it also reflects increased cost in terms of wages, electricity, rent, fuel, etc. which needs to be filtered to maintain the said profits[6]. 

Company Audit – Susan Rix, Stephen Brady, Michael Pini are the primary auditors of the CPL organization. In the year 2014-14, CPL organization received AU$ 5 million from department of community for investment which they intend to increase by A$ 12 million, thus the role of auditors becomes important to keep a track of the reduction in cost does not affect the financial statement adversely[7].  

Registration - Every company in Australia irrespective of its structure requires to be registered in the Companies House. Thus, every company in Australia requires an Australian Business Number. Australian Business Number is an identification which the Australian Business Register issues and is governed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This system in Australia was introduced on July 2000 by liberal government of John Howard. Thus, Australia Business Number can be given to any entity including an individual, corporation, trust, company, etc.  Thus, the Australia Business Number of Choice Passion Life was taken under its former name which is CEREBRAL PALSY LEAGUE OF QUEENSLAND, the Australian business number being ABN 27 009 942 269 which is registered on July 1, 2000.

Legal Structure – The legal structure of the choice passion life organisation is not for profit. And the said organisation is registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is a statutory body established in Australia which is granted the authority to govern the voluntary sector that includes charities and not for profit organizations. Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is the statutory body under which the registration of all not for profit and charitable organization is mandatory for it to legally work and be operative as an organization in Australia[8]. This it clear that unlike the other companies and organization which run and operative to earn profits, the objective of Choice passion life is charity and not profit making. Most of the non for profit organizations operate for charity purpose or to run charitable hospitals, schools and age old homes. Certain important functions of a non for profit organization regarding legal classification consists of managing provisions, auditing and preparing honest audit reports,, amendment the articles which is incorporated in the memorandum,, taxation, etc. Additionally, the legal structure of choice passion life is a not for profit and can be considered as a charitable structure which aims at serving the disabled and not making profits[9].

Business Address – Choice Passion Life provides vital health support and other facilities to more than 8000 disabled adults and children all over Australia. It has its head office in New Farm, Brisbane. However the organization of choice passion life also works majorly in Queensland and New South Wales additionally having 33 offices at different locations all across Australia. Thus, the Choice passion life organization is being operating successful serving the needs of disabled Australia for around 65 years[10]. 

CPL – Choice, Passion, Life

Registered Office: 55 Ox lade Drive, New Farm QLD 4005

Postal Address: PO Box 386, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Telephone: 1800 275 753

Facsimile: (07) 3358 2495

E-mail address: info@cpl.org.au

Website address: www.cpl.org.au 

Key Personnel – Every company whether it works for profit or not requires a good management team along with dedicated employees. When the management of a company is done with utmost care and efficiency, it is sure to achieve its objectives and goals. Thus, it is very important to know about the key management personnel of a company as the efficiency of the top management is directly related to the efficiency of the said company. Bruce Cowley is the chairman of the choice passion life organization. Simone Fraser is the deputy chairman. The board executive is Dermot Lindsay, whereas the board of directors of the choice passion life organization consists of Stephen Brady, Yvonne Burns, Helen Chenery, Michael Pini[11].

Legal Requirements – A not for profit organization is an organization whose objective is something other than making profits. The primary license which a not for profit organization needs is license from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) which it can receive when it registers under the said statutory body. For registering under Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the company structure needs to be decided. Along with registration and licensing, many legal compliance are followed which needs to mandatorily be followed by a not for profit organization. These obligations include fund raising, compliance of anti-discrimination laws, privacy laws. Thus, it is the duty of the organization to not discriminate or give privileges to certain disabled over other in providing services, moreover even while hiring and employing staff, anti-discrimination laws need to be followed. Other mandatory compliance includes taxation and financial reporting and record keeping rules which are to be followed[12].

Insurance Requirements – Insurance is a vital element which prevents from losses that can be incurred due to occurrence of unnatural events and situations. Thus, a not for profit organization needs to insure damage to property and equipment, insured fraud and safety of its staff along with clients. Additionally, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an initiate of the Australian government to insure health care of the disabled in Australia[13].

Taxation – In Australia, all not for profit organization which work for charity are exempted from paying income tax. Thus CPL organization is exempted from income tax. However, the fact that the organization is charitable requires to be proved in many cases[14].  

Company Programs/Activities

Not For Profit Status – The CPL organization has a not for profit status which means it operates to work for something other than making profits. 

Facilitating the Mission – The CPL organization has worked very hard for around 65 years to promote its mission to help the disabled in Australia. The success of the organization is evident in the fact that today CPL is one of the largest servile provider for disabled in Australia. The organization has achieved the said goal by providing many facilities and a better life to many disabled adults and children in Australia[15]. 

Deductible Gifts – Deductible gifts are those gifts which are given under the course of business and the cost of the gift can be deducted from the taxes. Thus, deductible gifts work as a tax deduction which is beneficial for every company including not for profit organization. 

Conclusion

Thus, to conclude this report, it is evident that Choice Passion and Life is an organization in Australia which helps disabled by providing them vital support and facilities which are required in routine life from school and job application to medical care. The said organization is operative in the charity sector which does not intend to make profit but only to help and promote the passion and interests of disabled all across Australia. The Choice Passion Life organization has followed all legal, formal, governmental compliances and under gone registration from all the required authorities in Australia. The organization has always served the needs of the disabled and at the same time its management has also abided by the Australian Corporation Act 2001, the taxation laws, insurance laws and also the financial and record keeping compliances. Thus, to conclude the said report on every detail about Choice Passion Life organization, the work and the passion of the employees and the volunteers working for the said organization required immense appreciation and encouragement. Along with appreciation of the said organization, it is required that many more similar charitable and not for profit organizations are initiated in Australia for promoting variety of issues which are prominent in the Australian society and require efforts to be solved. Thus, the Choice Passion Life organization has greatly contributed in every sector in Australia like educational, health care and professional to promote and obtain respect for the disabled adults and children all over Australia[16].  

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