With minimal support, board members of community services govern critical organisations such as ambulance services, and health, arts and sports organisations. They need accessible governance training like that of new school trustees
Opinion: The L plates are back up on the car as our youngest child has recently passed her learner’s. Helping her, I was impressed by the interactive road code and resources provided by Waka Kotahi.
That there are such good resources is in all of our best interests. As drivers, we want to be assured that the newest drivers we share the road with have been set up to be successful.
But it struck me we don’t consistently take this approach in other areas where it would also be in our best interests to ensure people are well-supported.
Like those who serve on the boards of our not-for-profits and community organisations.
The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 gives board members of often small, community-focused incorporated societies similar governance duties to those on our largest corporates.
That’s like the committee members of your local squash club we are talking about.
They probably signed up to give back to the sport they are passionate about. They are not usually experts in governance, health and safety policies, being a good employer, or strategy development.
It’s the squash coach or referee who is visible and might get the kudos, not the committee member who drafted the health and safety plan or applied for grant funding.
But yet we expect them to, with minimal support, govern organisations critical to the wellbeing of our communities such as ambulance services, housing providers, and health, arts and sports organisations.
And they can be de-registered as a charity if they get it wrong.
They are behind the wheel without a learner’s licence.
I recently completed a Winston Churchill Fellowship with interviews in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom on how best to support these community heroes who volunteer for not-for-profit boards and committees.
My first finding was that the work of these volunteers (about 500,000) was often invisible and under-valued. It’s the squash coach or referee who is visible and might get the kudos, not the committee member who drafted the health and safety plan or applied for grant funding.
It's not surprising then that many boards are clambering for members and don’t have access to the full range of skills they need, such as financial literacy, knowledge of their governance duties and legal requirements, or strategic planning.
Small, bite-sized, widely and easily accessible governance training will likely be the best support for many new and existing board members – like what is already provided for new school trustees through government funding by the New Zealand School Trustee Association.
Maybe we can use the already existing and well-functioning association's platform, tweak the content and open access to all not-for-profit community governors? A simple solution that could potentially use a tried and tested system for the greater good.
It is the least we can do to support those who take on substantial duties and legal responsibilities as not-for-profit board members.
It would be like yellow L plates for the amazing volunteers on boards whose tireless work means we get to play sport, see shows, swim safely on beaches, or adopt cats.
