About a month or two ago, I changed my LinkedIn title from ‘Interim CEO and Charity Consultant’ to ‘The Mary Poppins of the Charity Sector’. It’s something I often say in passing when I describe what it is that I …
Dear Commissioners,
It’s time we had a proper talk. I must warn you – this is not like our usual conversations where you pat us on the head and tell us how wonderful you think we are, and then everything stays the …
The case for paying interim Chairs
Hey – are you interested in a new role? It’s hugely stressful, intense and often thankless. It will involve bearing responsibility for really important work that lots people are depending on. Oh, and it’s completely and utterly unpaid. …Where are …
Dear Donor – we’re sorry we didn’t tell you the truth about overheads.
Dear Donor, I’m writing to say that we are sorry. Over the years, we’ve let you down. You’ve said you wanted to restrict your money to ‘the cause’, and we’ve let you believe that this means your money can only …
How to get a strategic planning process right – a case study with NAPAC
Many charities approach strategic planning with trepidation, not to mention a hefty dose of confusion. The whole idea of Board ‘ownership’ of strategic plans means that some Boards don’t involve staff in the process at all. In others, CEOs who …
Why it’s time we stop using the term ‘critical friend’
Here’s a secret it’s time I reveal: I loathe the term ‘critical friend’. As a term, its intentions are pure: it aims to reflect the balanced approach between challenge and support that a charity Board is supposed to demonstrate towards …
Volunteering in the charity sector but you’ve never worked in it before? Here’s what you need to do.
Last week, an ignorant comment by a charity Trustee prompted me to write an article lamenting misguided attitudes towards charity sector experience in the sector, and urging those who feel this way to stay out of the sector. It was initially intended …
Tired of experts? The charity sector is not for you.
Earlier today, a charity Trustee I know said to me ‘we want to bring in someone with no experience or knowledge of the sector’. Thankfully I lack a brick wall in my office or I may have found myself pounding …
Lady Susan Hussey’s comments wouldn’t be out of place in many charities – so what can we do about it?
The recent reports about what Lady Susan Hussey said to Ngozi Fulani has – quite rightly – caused a furore. I think Mandu Reid has set it out best in her Guardian piece today (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/01/lady-hussey-resign-monarchy-race-remarks-institution), so I don’t need to …
Navigating the tricky path of charity CEO supervision
How do you supervise the leader of a charity effectively? If you’re a CEO or a Chair, chances are you’ve had to find your way along this challenging path. Many Boards and CEOs struggle with getting this right. Of course, …