Optimise your Board’s effectiveness …… Improve your charity’s governance ……. Tap into practical leadership support for your Chair, CEO and trustees
Good governance is a vital but challenging issue for charities and non-profits. But it’s not just about compliance or ticking boxes!
There are many fiduciary, strategic, leadership and oversight responsibilities to meet. Unfortunately, of course, very often trustees are only volunteers with limited governance or Board experience, whilst their organisations may have quite limited resources.
This is where we can assist. With Mike, our senior partner, having 20+ years as a charity CEO, company secretary and trustee, we can be your governance support partner!
Advice and support for Boards and all areas of charity governance
We specialise in helping not-for-profit, charity and similar boards to become and work as highly effective governing teams. We also advise and support trustees, together with their CEO and senior staff, on core areas of charity governance administration as well as wider areas of strategic governance and leadership.
Areas of support to optimise Board effectiveness:
Board organisation and make-up
We can assist, for example, with matching board structure to support strategy and business plans; definition of roles and powers of lead Board roles e.g. Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer; definition of terms of reference for board sub-committees; recruitment/selection for board roles and committees; and induction programs for new board members.
Board meetings, systems & working methods
Areas we can advise and assist with include: agenda planning for board meetings; structuring of papers and reports for Board meetings; chairing skills; facilitation skills for different types of thinking and discussion; design of performance scorecards; overseeing strategy delivery and strategic projects; and ways of overseeing risk and compliance.
Board dynamics & relationships
Advice, coaching and support with, for example: building trust and co-operation between Board members; defining ‘ways of working’ as a team; Chair’s relationships with Board members and CEO; and handling conflict between Board members
Board evaluation & development
Consulting and assistance with, for example: review of a whole board’s skills and performance; appraisal of Chair; appraisal of individual board members; board diversity and skills reviews; whole board skills-building; individual trustee coaching; and succession planning.
Wider governance and outsourced secretariat support
Beyond boosting your board’s working effectiveness, we can assist across a host of specific governance and secretariat areas, including, if useful, acting as your company secretary.
Examples of areas include: keeping central company records; updating and liaison with charity regulators; organisation, minuting and following-up of board meetings; design and maintenance of major governance policies and processes (e.g. risk register); preparation for AGMs, compilation of Annual Report and accounts; advising trustees on common aspects of charity law or external regulations; and liaison with other charity professionals e.g. accountants.
Governance reviews against leading Codes and Guidelines
We can provide an independent review and assessment of your organisation’s governance arrangements against leading sector guidelines. Codes include notably the Charity Governance Code and the (public sector) Nolan Principles. Our review can be done as a dedicated Board/executive workshop or more as a consultancy review and report. Of course, such reviews can be immensely useful for suggesting particular ways and opportunities for developing your governance and adopting best-practice.
Confidential 1:1 strategic support for Chairs and CEOs
Our senior partner, Mike, also provides 1:1, confidential leadership and governance advice and support to CEOs and Chairs – particularly useful for those who are newly appointed or promoted. He’ll bring a fresh, external perspective and be a neutral, objective sounding board and adviser to help discuss ideas, assess issues, and draft plans.
The topic can be any strategic, governance, or leadership issue you are facing. His support – online or face-to-face – could be a short, one-off conversation, a number of dedicated meetings, or an ongoing series of regular meetings. He can also provide extended assistance, if wanted, with particular change or development projects.
Mike can readily call upon the Owen Morris extended network of specialist associates, if needed – from charity lawyers to experts in personnel testing/assessment.
Get in touch!
We are specialists in charity and not-for-profit trustee Board support and development.
So, to boost the effectiveness of your charity’s governance or leadership, contact us today!