Governance Hub Newsletter
The Governance Hub is launching a number of new initiatives to help trustees and committee members, and those who support them, access learning opportunities.
The first is the return of the Hub's Partnership Programme. Last year, through this programme, the Hub funded local and specialist infrastructure organisations across England to run over 80 governance initiatives. These included courses, new publications and networks for boards, staff and advisers. The new programme, launching on the 8th June, will focus on supporting specialist umbrella groups and federated charities to help them to develop new governance programmes. The programme partnership framework will be available to download from the Hub’s website on www.governancehub.org.uk.
In addition, a pilot of an accredited learning scheme for trustees and committee members will be launched in July, commissioned by the Governance and Workforce Hubs. The scheme is based on the National Occupational Standards for Trustees and Management Committee Members and accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN). Over 100 existing and aspiring trustees, from a range of backgrounds, will participate in the pilot throughout 2007. Once the pilot has been completed, learning providers will be able to deliver accredited learning programmes to trustees across England in 2008. Governance Hub research had shown that two thirds of trustees would like to participate in accredited learning.
Our aim, through these initiatives, is to give board members a range of opportunities to gain the competences and confidence they need to fulfil their roles successfully. We also aim to create a pathway for people from diverse backgrounds into trusteeship.
Finally, we are also delighted to announce that the Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) has joined the Governance Hub Core Group, which has responsibility for leading the strategy of the Hub. In partnership with SEC, the Hub has also commissioned the Open University to research the governance needs of the social enterprise sector in order to further inform our work in this area. We are currently looking for charities undertaking trading activities to participate in this research. If you would like to participate please contact Mike Aiken on m.aiken@open.ac.uk.
Jolanta Lasota
Head, Governance Hub
All Hub publications are available to download for free from the Hub's website publication page.
Setting up a Network for Chairs
Now available to download. This online resource provides an overview of how to set up and organise a network for chairs. Developed with Charity Trustee Networks, it describes seven key steps to establishing a network and guidance on how to make it successful.
Governance Matters: Printed Newsletter from the Governance Hub
The Governance Hub will be publishing its printed newsletter Governance Matters, twice a year. This newsletter is aimed at trustees, chairs, voluntary and community organisations, and all those interested, involved and passionate about governance. The newsletter will be packed with information on new services, resources and support available from the Governance Hub. The first issue will be out in June. If you would like to receive a copy, please email anna.gotz@ncvo-vol.org.uk.
Coming up shortly
What Management Committees Need to Know
This online guide has been written in partnership with Bradford CVS to help small voluntary organisations and community groups understand the Trustee and Management Committee National Occupational Standards and provide an introduction into key issues in running their organisations. The guide will be available to download in July from the Hub’s website.
Please click here for the full list of Hub publications.
Get involved in the development of board recruitment services for the third sector
The Governance Hub is carrying out a wide-ranging review of board recruitment services across England. Together with Chris Bonnard Consulting and Arte Research we will be identifying strengths and gaps in services, and options for future developments. If you are an infrastructure organisation, consortium or network interested in contributing to the study, please download and complete our short questionnaire on www.arte-research.co.uk and email it to chris.bonnard@btinternet.com by Tuesday 12th June.
Launch of Partnership Programme
Followed by the successful completion of two phases of its Partnership Programme, the Governance Hub is looking to work in partnership with umbrella organisations and federated charities to support, develop and improve governance within the sector at a national, regional and local level. The Hub will be launching its Partnership Programme on 8th June. Applications details are available to download from the Hub’s website at www.governancehub.org.uk .
Last call: make your nomination for ‘Trustee Board of the Year’ award
The Governance Hub is sponsoring the ‘Trustee Board of the Year’ award at the Charity Times Awards 2007 to further encourage good governance practice in voluntary and community organisations. The award will be presented to a trustee board that demonstrates exceptionally sound decision making, good practice, and has provided ongoing support that allows the charity to most effectively achieve its objectives. Nominations are open until 8th June. The Charity Times Awards will be announced on 12th September. Click here to make a nomination.
Community of practice
To gain a better understanding of how to set up a network for advisers, the Hub through the Partnership Programme has supported two projects. Merv Conroy has established an advisers’ network in Cumbria and is producing a report describing the process, learning and outputs from setting it up. STAN (Second Tier Advisors Network) has undertaken research, which will lead to recommendations of good practice in setting up, developing and maintaining a community of practice. Key findings from both pieces of work will be available on www.governancehub.org.uk shortly.
Findings from evaluation published
The Governance Hub has published the evaluation report of its learning schemes, commissioned in 2006/07 via the Partnership Programme. It looks at what activities worked well and what opportunities could be developed further to promote good governance. Download the full report and the executive summary from here.
Charity Trustee Networks (CTN) launching
e-services for chairs
CTN has been commissioned by the Governance Hub to launch a set of e-services for chairs. As a chair or vice-chair, you are invited to sign up to receive a monthly e-bulletin for chairs, to join an e-network or to be involved in a pilot e-mentoring programme. To sign up: you can either join CTN’s trusteenet through www.trusteenet.org.uk (indicating that you are a chair or vice-chair in the scroll-down list), contact the team at CTN on 01483 230280, or sign up by email to info@trusteenet.org.uk.
Do you have what it takes to be a volunteer school governor?
Volunteering as a school governor can be a rewarding opportunity. Research has shown that employees who serve as governors gain valuable experience in areas including finance, decision making and prioritising tasks. Governors play a key role in setting the strategic direction of the school and acting as critical friends to the full time staff. The School Governors’ One-Stop Shop is a small charity that exists to make it easy for people to volunteer as governors. They work alongside local authorities to help recruit and place volunteers into mutually beneficial schools. All their services are free to volunteers, schools, local authorities and employers. For an application form or more information, contact the One-Stop Shop on 0870 241 3883, via e-mail info@sgoss.org.uk, or visit the web-site www.sgoss.org.uk.
Inspiring and enabling collaboration
12th June, London
This one-day workshop will reveal how to create and support partnerships within the voluntary and community sector. The event is intended for infrastructure organisations, partnership officers and leaders of charities who are involved in inspiring and enabling collaborations. For more information and to book a place, go to www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/events.
Helping groups establish values and a mission
14th June, Manchester
This one-day training course is especially designed for development workers and governance advisers who support and work with boards of voluntary and community organisations. This course will enable advisers to support their boards/groups in setting and following their organisational values and mission. Download the booking form here.
The questions every trustee should ask
18th June, London
Charity Trustee Networks’ lunch and lecture will give trustees the space to consider a range of central and current issues in relation to governance and trusteeship. The keynote speaker is Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission. The programme includes engaging seminars on investment, policy and governance and opportunities to share learning with peers. For more information, please go to www.trusteenet.org.uk or call Jiksha Padhiar on 020 7489 6027.
NCVO leadership dinner: chief executives and chairs as strategic collaborators
20th June, London
NCVO’s Trustee and Leadership team invite leaders of the voluntary and community sector to join them for their annual dinner at the RSA. This year's guest speaker is Dr David Maurrasse, a leading author and speaker on community and public sector partnerships.
For more information and to book a place, call on 020 7520 2511 or email trustee.admin@ncvo-vol.org.uk for more information. Alternatively you can view details of this event at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/events.
The trustee conference
21st June, London
This conference brings together leading figures and specialist advisers in the charity world to help charity leaders develop the skills and confidence required to govern effectively as the sector evolves. For more information and to book a place, call Janev Djemil on 020 8788 1656 or email janev.djemilj@russell-cooke.co.uk
Helping management committees work strategically
26th June, London
Run by SKILD, this one-day training course is especially designed for development workers and governance advisers who support and work with boards of voluntary and community organisations. This course will enable advisers to support their management committees to govern well. Download the booking form here.
Please click here for more events and courses around governance.
Inspired to be a trustee:
Jill Parker was motivated to become a trustee to get support and better services for her daughter who was born with a learning disability. In 1979, when her daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability, she discovered there was little help or advice available locally for parents caring for children who had a learning disability.
At that time Jill felt that she had some decisions to make. Either she could concede to the circumstances, or gather mutual help and support from other parents in a similar situation. She decided to do the latter.
As a State Registered Nurse, Jill felt she had no knowledge of the voluntary sector or any skills in business management. She made her first move by approaching Eastbourne Area Voluntary Services (EAVS). EAVS was very supportive and, with their help, she gained knowledge of how to start a charity and all the rules and regulations that would come into play. EAVS also introduced her to many committees where she could voice the needs of people with a learning disability. The support and knowledge of users’ needs enabled her to establish a charity called EAPAG (The Eastbourne Area Parents Action Group, Mental Handicap). EAPAG raised funds, provided services and became a very active support group. EAVS continued to provide support, advice, secretarial services and meeting rooms.
Jill then became a trustee of EAVS, to give back something for all the help they had given her, and to continue to contribute to wider society. She is now also a trustee of The JPK Project, which is a local registered charity that provides a residential centre for people with learning disabilities in East Sussex.
Jill believes that being a trustee has been instrumental in realising her motivation and drive to do something for the cause she cares the most about. She continues to provide support, guidance and direction to new organisations and those that need help. At the moment, she is looking for new trustees for the JPK project, and continues to encourage people to take up trusteeship in order to make a difference in the world. If you are interested in becoming a trustee for JPK project, email jillparkerjpk1@btopenworld.com.
If you have come across any governance resources, learning and support services, peer networks or if you would like to promote your own services and resources, please email the information to governance.hub@ncvo-vol.org.uk.
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