Themes:

• Make-up and role
• Leadership
• Monitoring and improvement

Level 5 illustration:

Make-up and role

Our volunteer leaders include representatives from the community we support. They bring a range of lived experiences and represent those from diverse backgrounds and age groups. We actively seek out volunteer leaders with specific skill sets and knowledge who can help ensure that the organisation is managed and led effectively. Volunteer leaders are clear about their roles and responsibilities. They work effectively with partners, staff and volunteers whilst recognising and respecting their distinct roles. They receive appropriate support, guidance and training to enable them to fulfil their roles well. We have well developed systems in place to ensure leadership succession planning.

Leadership

The leadership in our organisation is strong and effective with a clear, shared vision and direction. Our vision, values and aims are well understood and supported by volunteer leaders. Volunteer leaders demonstrate strong governance skills and motivate others within the organisation. Communication between volunteer leaders and stakeholders is open, transparent and effective. Volunteer leaders are committed to supporting the organisation’s capacity to improve outcomes. They ensure that effective reporting and governance arrangements, which are appropriate to the work of the organisation, are in place and monitored.

Monitoring and improvement

Volunteer leaders receive regular, relevant and high quality reports to help them govern the progress and performance of the organisation. This includes relevant financial and legal information. Volunteer leaders are aware of and comply with their responsibilities in respect of legislation, regulation and codes of practice. Volunteer leaders are forward-looking and consider regularly potential future challenges, opportunities and associated risks. They work effectively with senior staff and volunteers to identify and manage risk. Staff, volunteers and other stakeholders are clear about the important role members of the board, management committee or trustees have in regard to quality assurance. Volunteer leaders have a clear understanding of the organisation’s strengths and challenge.

Challenge questions:

1. As volunteer leaders (board members, management committee members or trustees) how well do we represent the community and stakeholders the organisation serves?
2. How diverse are we? Do we represent an appropriate cross section of the community?
3. Do we have the right mix of skills, knowledge and expertise?
4. Do we learn from practice of boards elsewhere and share our practice with others?
5. How well do we ensure our stakeholder voices are heard?
6. How well do we work with staff, volunteers and partners to build in succession planning to ensure that the board/committee and the organisation is sustainable?
7. Do volunteer leaders have clear roles which are distinct from the role of staff and volunteers? How do we ensure these roles are mutually understood and respected?
8. How well do we provide appropriate governance, or where relevant leadership, to support the vision, values and aims of the organisation? How well do we ensure it meets legislation, regulation, policies, guidance and codes of practice?
9. How successfully do we ensure that our organisation meets its obligations in regard to legislation, regulation, policies, guidance and codes of practice?
10. How well do leaders communicate the financial, legal and other information required from staff and/or volunteers?
11. How well do we support the organisation’s capacity to anticipate and plan for change and to mitigate risk?
12. How well do we support partners, staff and volunteers to be creative, innovative and take informed and measured risks?
13. How well do we support the organisation’s capacity to improve its impact?