Developing your governance

Responsibility for running an organisation 

Governance is about the running of an organisation and every decision that is taken. It is a joint responsibility between the Board of Trustees and managers.

Although the Board is ultimately responsible for the organisation’s governance, managers should devote around 20 per cent of their time to governing the organisation in the widest sense.

Governance covers a range of issues, both internal and external, short-term and long-term. Boards, with input from managers, need to pay attention to developing and maintaining the governing body, accountability, policymaking, determining strategy and supervision.

Strategic but on the daily agenda 

The nature of these responsibilities means that governance cannot be considered just once a month at board meetings; it should be on managers’ agendas everyday. Successful governance requires an open and trusting relationship between the chair and the chief executive.

Effective Boards will focus on the strategic rather than the operational and act as ambassadors for the organisation. Meetings should be lively affairs, where everyone is heard and discussion is encouraged.

Getting the right trustees 

Recruitment of the right trustees with the right skills is vital and a proper procedure should be followed, including advertising, informal interviews and induction. Some skills may still be missing and in this case external advisors should be brought in; for example on financial or legal issues.

Multi-purpose organisations complex 

Governance in multi-purpose organisations is particularly complex due to the nature of work. A wide range of activities, funding streams, service users and buildings need to be managed and directed. It is therefore particularly important to recruit and maintain a diverse and dynamic Board of Trustees that is capable of changing and adapting to community needs.

Useful websites

National Council of Voluntary Organisations
Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations
Charity Commission
Leadership Trust