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Governance

Governance. Pacific Sexual Diversity Network Leadership Development Suva, 1-5 June 2009. Click to add your name. In this session…. Keep accountability and transparency in mind What is governance? Governance manuals Working practically on governance in the PSDN. Governance and structures.

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Governance

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  1. Governance Pacific Sexual Diversity Network Leadership Development Suva, 1-5 June 2009 Click to add your name

  2. In this session… • Keep accountability and transparency in mind • What is governance? • Governance manuals • Working practically on governance in the PSDN

  3. Governance and structures Accountability Responsibility Transparency Information Governance Structure

  4. What is governance? • Broadly, the way that power is taken on and used by the leaders of an organisation • Specifically for community based organisations, it refers to the structures and processes that are used to steer the organisation

  5. ‘Good governance’ is… • ‘A transparent decision-making process in which the leadership of an organisation, in an effective and accountable way, directs resources and exercises power on the basis of shared values’ - Marilyn Watt, A Handbook of NGO Governance

  6. ‘Good governance’ is… • ‘A transparent decision-making process in which the leadership of an organisation, in an effective and accountable way, directs resources and exercises power on the basis of shared values’ - Marilyn Watt, A Handbook of NGO Governance A sharing of decision making so that power and resources do not accumulate in the hands of one person or a single group. What might ‘bad governance’ mean?

  7. Shared decision making and individual accountability • The two take place together • Individual accountability for the group making the best decisions • Not a contradiction

  8. Discuss: Who makes the decisions? • Who makes the decisions in your organisation? • How are they made? • How can others participate in this? • Do they participate?

  9. Some more basic features of good governance • A basic form of accountability • Decisions are discussed and made collectively • There are restrictions on one person becoming more powerful than the others • This doesn’t happen accidentally, by chance or because of good will – it has to be formalised through rules and procedures

  10. Let’s be practical… • Organisations with good governance will have: • A governing body (normally called a board) • Clear roles within this governing body • A system where the people on the governing body can and do change • A system where the roles within the governing body are chosen fairly and appropriately

  11. In a ‘good governance’ CBO… • There is a membership • There are regular elections for the board and nominations for all positions on a board • The board is voluntary and unpaid • There are clear and specific roles (president/chairperson, treasurer, secretary) • There are regular, minuted meetings • The meetings are organised in a standard format with regular reports on key issues • There are written procedures for how elections and meetings and for how conflict is resolved

  12. Also… • If there is a coordinator, executive officer or secretariat responsible for the organisation’s daily business, they are accountable to the board • There is a distinction between governance (board, broad direction) and management (staff, everyday activity) • … sometimes this isn’t possible because the size or newness of the CBO means it doesn’t have staff… • But in this case it’s even more important that there be checks and balances on individual power – a separation of powers

  13. Secretariats and boards • Role of the board: to set broad direction and oversee the general business (governance) • Role of the secretariat: to implement the board’s decisions and attend to the details in making things happen (management) • The relationship is mutual and reciprocal – a two way, supportive relationship • The secretariat supports the board’s development and decision making processes • The board supports the secretariat’s work in day to day management

  14. Brainstorm: Why is good governance important? • Stability and reliability • Guards against corruption • Clear rules and procedures (transparency) • Accountability to communities/members • Sustainability and development • Diversity of views • Participation of more people • Guard against autocratic rule • Having structure to keep organisation focused on stated mission • And many more…

  15. Discuss: Governance in your organisation • Is there a governance structure in place? • If so, what is it? Does it work (in terms of what we’ve been discussing)? How does it work? How can it be improved? • If not, what do you think might be needed?

  16. Governance manuals (by-laws) • Normally there are documents that set out the rules of an organisation’s governance structure – by-laws • The by-laws along with legal documentation (incorporation) and the mission statement as well as other documents communicate what the organisation is doing, how it’s doing it and where it’s going

  17. A basic governance manual… • Membership rules • Board election processes • Responsibilities of the board • Board positions, criteria and duty statements • Terms of office for board members • Decision making and minuting procedures • Frequency and number of meetings per year • Meeting quorum • How meeting dates are set and agendas developed (and by who)

  18. Developing a governance manual… • Takes time • Must be consultative • Engage the organisation’s members and/or constituents • Must be formally endorsed by the membership • … however, we can make a start today!

  19. Let’s look at the PSDN… • Membership rules • Board election processes • Responsibilities of the board • Board positions, criteria and duty statements • Terms of office for board members • Decision making and minuting procedures • Frequency and number of meetings per year • Meeting quorum • How meeting dates are set and agendas developed (and by who)

  20. What next? • Devise a process for formalising the PSDN governance manual • Who will you consult? • How should it be endorsed by the PSDN membership? • What’s the timeframe? • What resources and support will you need from ACON and AFAO to do this?

  21. After this session… • How will you pass on what you’ve learnt? • Do you need specific assistance, resources or support from ACON and AFAO to do this?

  22. Bringing today together… GOOD GOVERNANCE ACCOUNTABILITY TRANSPARENCY

  23. Some good references… • A Handbook of NGO Governance, Marilyn Wyatt, 2005 (on www.ngoboards.org – check under ‘Resources’) • Peacecorps – Effective NGO Governance http://www.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/pdf/library/M0070_mod5.pdf • Pacific Islands Governance Portal www.governance.usp.ac.fj

  24. Thanks for today and well done!

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