Getting The Best From The Board - Relationships
Board members are a fundamental part of an organisation, they make high level decisions and oversee its functions. As volunteers, board members should feel welcomed, informed and empowered and processes need to be put in place to ensure that those principles are delivered. Using an inclusive approach, organisations should be recruiting openly and fairly, ensuring that people from all walks of life and with diverse skill sets are equally welcome.
How do we get the best from our board members?
Board members roles and responsibilities - We want our board members to be informed, this will help them understand their own role, the organisation purpose and the management structure. You will want to provide your board members with a role description, code of conduct, governing document (constitution) and relevant policies and procedures. This will give clarity and allow for informed decision making.
Relationships and communication - We understand that communication is key to running an organisation, this should be no different at board level. We require our board members to be respectful, trusting and transparent, but ultimately act in the best interest of the organisation. Encourage open discussion and decision making, although there will not always be agreement from all sides. It is also important for the chair and the senior manager to have a close relationship, often the chair will become a close support or mentor.
Be open and encourage input - Appreciate and encourage input from all board members, they each will have their own set of insights, skills and experience. They are a resource for the organisation, so utilise their skills, welcome and encourage debate. At times relationships on the board and with senior managers can become strained and may feel challenging but try to appreciate all views and feedback.
Recruit and include diverse perspectives and skills - Recruit fairly through a transparent and fair recruitment process. Encourage board members to run regular board skills audits by using such tools as a board matrix, which will measure gaps. A better board is one that brings a mixture of life, professionalism and expertise.
Repeat, Refresh and Review - A healthy organisation keeps working at their governance allowing them to develop and improve. Relationships, skills and board members will change over time, with this in mind regularly review your recruitment process, ensure that skills gaps are filled and reflect the organisation purpose.
External resources
SCVO - Developing your board Scotland's Third Sector Governance Forum - Scottish Third Sector Governance Code