A SOLID FOUNDATION: GOVERNANCE THE CORNERSTONE September 19, 2004 Deborah Gardner The Volunteer Centre of Toronto

A SOLID FOUNDATION:GOVERNANCE

THE CORNERSTONE

September 19, 2004September 19, 2004

Deborah GardnerDeborah Gardner

The Volunteer Centre of TorontoThe Volunteer Centre of Toronto

September 19, 2004Volunteer Centre of Toronto

Overview

• Good governance contributes to: Organizational vitality and stability Public credibility Clear roles and responsibilities


The Basics

• The Board is the governance body• The Board is ultimately responsible

for the legal and ethical operation of the organization


The Basics

• Board Responsibilities• Board Roles


Responsibilities

Obligation to ensure that the organization’s resources are deployed in a way that protects and advances the diverse needs of the community


Responsibilities

• Formulate board policy• Ensure compliance with established

board and organizational policies


Responsibilities

• Oversee organizational ends• Executive management• Ensure quality service delivery• Organizational finances


Organizational Ends

• Mission and Vision• Strategic directions• Reflection of community needs and

issues


Executive Management

• Recruit and select Executive Director• Identify and assess ED performance• Determine compensation• Delegation of authority


Quality of Service

• Establish quality standards• Identify key indicators• Ensure evaluation process in place• Identify risk management issues


Finances

• Establish and monitor financial objectives

• Ensure appropriate controls in place• Appoint independent auditor


Board Roles

• Member roles• Organizational communication• Management support


Member Roles

• Adherence to organizational by-laws• Be transparent and accountable• Be informed and regularly

participate• Respectful of organizational culture


Informing the Role

• Consistent and clear job description• Identification of skill interest and

gaps• Annual review of Board performance


Communication

• Informed ambassador for organization

• Knowledgeable about sectoral issues• Articulate (informal) spokesperson


Management Support

• Support to the Executive Director• Appropriate operational engagement• Adherence to established

governance


Organizational Challenges

• Consistent implementation of governance

• Multi levels of operation and obligation• Territorial tendencies of chapter model• External expectations vs internal

resources


Board Challenges

• Identification of member requirements

• Recruitment of appropriate members• Retention of members• Skill development of members


Organization Opportunities

• Strong placement in community• Broad knowledge of learning issues• Paradigm shift of knowledge base

society• Interest in life long learning model


Board Opportunities

• A consistent organizational model• Community engagement and support• Innovation • Leadership


Quotes

• “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?’

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

• “If you want to change the world, be that change.” ~ Ghandi


Resources

• www.ccp.ca• www.charityvillage.ca• www.volunteer.ca• www.nonprofitscan.ca• www.pointsoflight.org


Keep in touch

• The Volunteer Centre of Toronto

• 416.961.6888

• www.volunteertoronto.on.ca


A final thought...

“Never doubt that a thoughtful group of committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

~ Margaret Mead

Documents

A SOLID FOUNDATION: GOVERNANCE THE CORNERSTONE September 19, 2004 Deborah Gardner The Volunteer Centre of Toronto