Finding new trustees (in the UK)
Having a good board is essential for good governance. That's stating the obvious. But how about finding good trustees? Here's are some ways of reaching beyond your phone book to top talent:
NCVO Trustee Board is good gateway to brokerages – see the full list here: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/askncvo/index.asp?id=725
Out of those mentioned, here are some favourites:
Reach - 'matches the skills of experienced people to the needs of voluntary organisations' - a reliable source for board members but also positions that need to be filled in a limited capacity. I have used them for more than ten years and I have found them worthwhile.
Common Purpose - Now you need to be alumni in order to post opportunities - the reason for including it here is as a reminder to whilst going to the broad field, it is also worthwhile looking at your own private networks.
The Governance Hub, like NCVO, actually refers to other organizations… They have a road in for people wanting to be trustees, but the advertising of vacancies is left to Do-It and the local Volunteer Centres. The Volunteer Centres have to be contacted directly (and that is also one of the routes referred to by Do-It for local organizations). For national – you need a login and it is chargeable...
The main thing about the last one is the host of resources they have for Good Governance.
Here, from their most recent newsletter are some useful items:
Governance Hub news - May 2007
Chairs Mentoring Pilot
Research by the Governance Hub shows that most Chairs would like to know more about their role and develop their skills. Over half of them would like one-to-one support with a mentor. In response, the Governance Hub is funding three mentoring scheme pilots using different approaches to mentoring.
The Centre for Charity Effectiveness at CASS Business School is running a co-mentoring programme where Chairs work in pairs to explore possible solutions to practical issues they face in leading and supporting their Boards.
The Charity Trustee Network (CTN) is trialling an e-mentoring scheme and will also be launching an e-bulletin for Chairs this summer.If you would like to register for the e-mentoring pilot or to receive the e-bulletin when it is launched in June, please email governance.hub@nvco-vol.org.uk
...and here's one that I'll certainly take a look at:
Launch of advisers tools
The Governance Hub, in partnership with SKiLD, launched Improving Governance Tools at NAVCA's Kit Yourself Out conference on 26 February 07. The conference, attended by 200 advisers, provided an excellent opportunity to showcase Improving Governance Tools as well as a range of other kits for development workers from the Governance, Workforce and Performance Hubs. Improving Governance Tools is a brand new set of good governance learning tools, containing bite-sized creative games and exercises that advisers can use to support the groups and organisations they work with. The resource is available to download for free, and can be adapted and used with groups to enable informal and peer learning.
Also, check out these publications:
The Governance Hub publications are available to download for free from the Hub publications page on its website at www.governancehub.org.uk:
Starting on the Right Track - A Guide to Recruiting and Inducting a New Chair
The chair is central to the effectiveness of a trustee board and the organisation it serves. However, the vast majority of organisations still recruit their chair through word of mouth and only a minority of new chairs receive even a basic induction into their roles and responsibilities. This short, easy-to-use online resource will help organisations plan and carry out the recruitment and induction of their new chair.Better Governance - An Introduction to Measuring and Improving Board Effectiveness
This is a new online guide for trustees, staff and volunteers of voluntary and community organisations who want to develop the governance of their organisations. Better Governance provides an overview of the different approaches and resources available to measure the effectiveness of boards and to start improving their performance.Trustee Standards in Practice - A Guide for Smaller Organisations
This online guide about the National Occupational Standards for Trustees and Management Committee Members provides practical advice for smaller organisations on different approaches to applying the Standards and how to use them to get the most from boards.
Last but certainly not least - here's the standard list of documents I suggest as essential first reading for new trustees:
