In recent months, I’ve supported and advised two non-profit organisations facing major crises, and it got me thinking about some of the common themes and priorities in charity crises. Charities are not well designed for crisis management. In such situations, …
The Case for Trustee Appraisals
I work with Trustee Boards around the country – and I’ve been the CEO of two charities – and I’m often surprised by continued resistance to the idea of Trustee appraisals: Some fear it will discourage people from becoming Trustees. …
Employing Trustees – navigating the minefield
So… can a Trustee become an employee of a charity? The answer, like so many things in the charity world, is not a simple one. A recent conversation with a charity Trustee revealed that they thought Trustees could become employees …
The Presidents Club: a scandal with lessons for all Trustees
The ongoing Presidents Club Charitable Trust scandal will strike most Trustees across the country as something that could never happen to them. It is sordid and hugely embarrassing for all involved: how could they not see this coming? But, all …
Getting started on your CSR journey
Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, is becoming increasingly important for SMEs, but it can sometimes seem confusing or overwhelming to know how to get started. The world’s largest companies boast CSR teams who deliver major programmes throughout their supply chain. …
Why Trustees cannot ignore diversity
Put simply, diversity matters. Diversity is important in charities of all sizes, including the small ones. Without it, the quality of your decision-making is not going to be good enough. Your leadership will not be convincing or persuasive. And, your …
How to successfully engage consultants: factors for small-to-medium charities
Paying for consultancy services may be a daunting prospect in small-to-medium charities, where every penny is precious and results may be uncertain. I’ve been there. As a former-CEO of two charities, I’ve hesitated to bring external help in because I …
Shaky ground or firm foundation?: Understanding your charity’s governing document
Your charity’s governing document, or constitution, sets out your charity’s legal existence. But how well do you know what it says, and what that means for your charity? Understanding your governing document may not always be straightforward. If you’re lucky, …
A Trustee Policy: Why having one is essential to your charity’s success
Being a Trustee is challenging. Whether at a large or small charity, your official responsibilities are the same. In practice, the role varies enormously. Each charity also has a considerable breadth of choice about how its Board and Trustees carry …
Is your charity fighting fit?
Health Check Series Part 1 Through my work with small-to-medium charities, I have discovered: Most of the people involved in the charity are invaluable: hard-working, passionate and dedicated. The charity’s governance and organisational effectiveness are often not up to …