Governance Weekly for 25th November
The weekly roundup from VANEL on good governance, charity trusteeship and non-profit leadership. News, information, resources and ideas. Complemented by our monthly “View from the Top” e-newsletter (Trustee Network members only), our “aboutgovernance” online discussion space for leaders and trustees and our @aboutgovernance Twitter feed.
Demonstrating Impact by Charities: An evolving trend has been to improve the ways charities and voluntary organisations demonstrate, prove, evidence or document their impact. In a competitive world there is a need to be able to show (to funders and supporters) that the work we are doing is really making a difference. I notice that NPC is running another of their training sessions – “What Trustees need to know about good impact reporting” – on 30th January, but as is so often the case, it’s down in London. I’d be interested to know if any trustees, chairs or boards would be interested in VANEL running a workshop around Impact reporting more locally (Grimsby). Details about that London workshop are here and there are a couple of useful reference documents about Impact reporting here and here. If you would be interesting in covering this topic then please let me know and I’ll see what I can arrange.
At recent trustee workshops and training sessions there has been a bit of discussion around what particular terms mean. By chance I’ve come across this “Jargon Buster” produced as a resource alongside the Code of Good Governance. If you have a governance related term you’re unsure of, perhaps it will be of use.
On “AboutGovernance” (VANEL’s private discussion space for trustees), one of our latest training “workouts” (which we are preparing to support younger leaders and trustees coming onto boards for the first time) was about the shape and structure of board meetings. I know that I’ve been asked before about best practices for board meetings, so if this interests you, another resource to refer to is this – “Board Meetings: Developing Good Practice“.
Opportunities
North East Lincolnshire HealthWatch is looking to recruit to its board:
Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire (HWNEL) is recruiting for Executive Board members (Voluntary). Members need to be able to represent the views of others and to have a good knowledge and experience of health and social care services. The applications process is open until 7th December.
Download the covering letter and overview and the role description here and get in touch with HealthWatch direct.
VANEL are aware of other trustee opportunities arising locally, so should you be interested, please get in touch with us.
VANEL is Here to Help
A couple of dates have been set for our next governance related training sessions. But don’t forget that we can provide bespoke or one-off training for you and your board at times and venues to suit you too (just get in touch).
“Induction and Refresher Training for Trustees” – for newer trustees, this two hour course covers all the basics you need to know. Wednesday 18th January 2017, 3pm-5pm. £10pp (£15pp for non-members)
“Technology for Trustees”. In this increasingly digital world, what do trustees need to know and how can they tackle the better use of technology for their organisations? Friday 20th Jan 2017, 10am-11.30am, £5pp (£10pp non-members)
“Board Development workshop”. For chairs or other trustees looking for ways to develop the board or the governance practices and approaches. Wed 1st February 2017, 3pm-5pm, £10pp (only available to member organisations)
More details of each of these courses soon, but contact me direct if you are interested to any degree in these topics.
Reference Library: We have a number of copies of a few useful governance and leadership books. If your organisation is a Member or Friend of VANEL then you can borrow these publications (subject to availability), so just get in touch. So far we have copies of:
“Good Governance” – see here
“The Good Trustee Guide” – see here
To discuss governance, trusteeship or leadership, or to subscribe to the Trustee Network, please drop me a line.
Karl Elliott, Development Manager
www.vanel.org.uk/governance – for resources and information
www.theviewfromthetop.org.uk
www.youngleadersmatter.org.uk
www.vanel.org.uk/aboutgovernance