Governance

"Governance is the process by which a governing body (the board, management committee, council of management or whatever it is called) ensures that an organisation is effectively and properly run."

S. Adirondack

Although the needs placed on individual committee/board members will vary from organisation to organisation, there are some general duties and responsibilities. These include:

• Ensuring the organisation complies with its governing document (constitution/Memorandum & Articles/Trust deed), company or charity law and any other relevant areas of legislation or regulations

• Ensuring the organisation specifically pursues the ‘objects’ defined in the governing document

• Ensuring organisations use resources wisely and solely in the pursuit of those objects

• Contributing actively to the committee/board giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, set policy, define goals and set and monitor targets

• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation

• Ensuring effective and efficient administration

• Ensuring the organisation is financially stable

• Protecting and managing any property or investments held in the organisations name

• Acting as employers to all staff, specifically monitoring the performance of the Manager

Making sure all of this falls into place means that committee/board members will be required to use the variety of specific skills, knowledge or experience they bring to the organisation.

It’s vital that all committee members/Directors, as a minimum:

• Scrutinise and question meeting papers
• Lead and/or contribute to all discussions
• Focus in on key issues and do not allow themselves to become involved in day to day management
• Provide guidance for any staff, paid or unpaid, on new initiatives and projects
• Use any special expertise they have to offer
• Commit time and effort to the organisation
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgement
• Ability to think creatively
• Willingness to speak their mind
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

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