Is your charity board steering or rowing?
Using the metaphor of your charity being a boat, then your board of trustees can make two types of contribution: steering and rowing.
A board’s contribution that is steering will set the direction of the charity, ensuring that the right capability is in the boat. A board that is rowing is providing expertise to management, championing the mission or helping out on the front line.
An effective board will combine both with effective steering whilst maximising rowing. Conversely a poorly performing board with no steering will go round in circles and will not go anywhere without rowing.
What type of board do you have? Let me know in the comments below: Steering, Rowing or Both?
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[1] It's amazing how frequently the word "charities" or "charity" appears in the places I visit! See my What3Words article by clicking here to find out what I'm talking about.
[2] Further information on the work of charity boards can be found in the book Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards; Richard P Chait, William P Ryan and Barbara E Taylor.?
Finance Manager at DOT LOVES DATA
3 年Interesting as the I am on Nz wheelchair rugby board and have had to do some rowing ( getting us compliant with IRD and maximising Xero) whilst trying to steer too. Its good to think about.
Non-Executive Director in various organisations across health, local government, housing, social care & education and independent consultant
3 年Great analogy.One challenge for any board particularly in the very challenging and uncertain times we currently face is to remain agile in their thinking, alert to what is happening in the here and now in terms of both risks and opportunities, and prepared to reassess where they are heading and adjust their steering accordingly.
RSM Risk Assurance Partner
3 年Love this analogy - we could also ask ‘is everyone rowing/steering in the same direction?’