Making a difference

Social service providers from Whangarei to Bluff are enjoying the benefits of improved governance as a result of a unique programme developed by the Ministry of Social Development and the Institute of Directors.

The Governance with Purpose programme was introduced last year and to date has delivered highly customised training to 106 committees, trusts and boards of non-profit organisations that work at the front line of social service provision.

The programme’s aim is to make governance training accessible and affordable to small service providers, especially those in the regions. More than 20 facilitators across five regions are trained in delivering the tailored course content. Course venues and dates are chosen by attendees, who are also able to choose their facilitator from a shortlist.

Healthy Governance

Taupo youth organisation Anamata CAFE is one of the groups that has undergone the training and as a result is implementing numerous governance changes.

Formerly known as Cafe for Youth Health, Anamata CAFE (Clinics and Advice For Everyone) opened in 1990 and provides an accessible health service at low to no cost to young people and their whānau. All aged under 25 in the Taupo District can access its range of services for free, and sexual health checks are free for all ages.

Board chair Blair Matheson and deputy chair Shona Bleakley were two of the eight Anamata board members who undertook the course in May. Both have high praise for both the content and course facilitator former nurse, midwife and Lakes DHB CEO Catherine Cooney.

Bleakley, who was Anamata board chair for 10 years until January, said three board members had joined Anamata quite recently when the course invitation came through and the rest of the board felt a bit stale so the invitation was very timely.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to have an informative day and also do a bit of bonding. It’s quite difficult in Taupo to get to training opportunities for a board, so we jumped at the chance.” 

Upskilling

As with the other board members, Bleakley is a volunteer. She was a secondary school English teacher then taught business communications at polytechnic. She and her husband also used to own a farm and contracting business but are now semi-retired.

She said the board was delighted to see Cooney on the facilitator shortlist because of her depth of health experience. Cooney was Lakes DHB CEO from 2001 to 2012.

“As we are a youth health clinic and have some specialised jargon and services, it was great that Catherine knew all about us and could speak our language.

“She gave us fresh ideas on how to run our board. We also got the opportunity to talk about a couple of issues that had been troubling me when I was chair. The course opened up the conversation on roles and workload of the board as well as the blurred lines between governance and management. Having a whole day together gave us the time to get to know each other’s strengths. Our monthly meetings are by necessity quite task oriented, so it was good to socialise a bit.”

Bleakley said the course reinvigorated the longer-term board members and clarified things for those new to the board. Since doing the course, board members were constantly referring to the supplied course book.

“It is a great asset with lots of good information, and it reinforces what we learned. At the end of the IoD day, we had a list of things we needed to action, and we are regularly referring to the list when we meet.”

Governance and management

Matheson agreed a key benefit of the course was clarification of the difference between governance and management.

“We worked quite hard two or three years ago on rebranding (from Cafe for Youth Health to Anamata CAFE) and began a new strategic direction. We are well down that path, but it is always beneficial to be reminded of the different roles of board member and senior manager.”

Matheson has been an Anamata board member for three years and is enjoying his relatively new role as chair. He completed an MBA four years ago and is a member of the IoD. A long-time Taupo resident, he is coowner of Huka Honey Hive, a company he helped found 24 years ago that produces honey-based products.

“The Governance with Purpose course was an amazing opportunity for us, and I can’t talk highly enough about Catherine, who was absolutely fantastic. She understood the clinical perspective, and her advice was very practical. Her caring, laid-back manner and knowledge of the healthcare needs of young people really made the day.”

As a result of Matheson’s experience with IoD, Anamata had put some funding aside in the annual budget for governance training, but he said it certainly would not have covered the cost of training all eight board members.

Another added bonus was that, after the course, the two most inexperienced board members were given the opportunity for a day-long extra governance course in Auckland.

“The work that we do as an organisation doesn’t have wide appeal, so it is hard to get board members. Those who are here are passionate about young people but don’t always have governance training. This extra help from MSD has made a big difference.”

Strategic plan

Following the Governance with Purpose programme, the board sat down and came up with 15 new outcomes it would like to see. “We’ve already made some real changes such as running our board meetings differently and making alterations to our annual plan and strategy. Some of the changes are small but make a big impact.”

Matheson said, despite being on numerous IoD governance courses himself, this course still taught him something new. “There were lots of little gems such as encouraging all board members to be brave enough to ask the hard and sometimes obvious questions. It’s helped me encourage the rule that there is no such thing as a dumb question at a board meeting.”

Cooney’s enthusiasm and encouragement during the course spurred the board to enter Anamata CAFE in the Taupo Business Awards, and in early August, they were delighted to be named winner of the Excellence in Community Contribution award.

“This was certainly the result of doing the course and giving us more confidence in what we do,” Matheson said.

Facilitator Catherine Cooney said it was humbling to front Governance with Purpose courses as most attendees, like Bleakley and Matheson, were volunteers. To date, she has facilitated seven courses and said every one was a privilege to lead.

“The motivation of people who govern NFPs is always so impressive. They welcome me in on these courses and share their celebrations and their challenges. It is such a special experience to connect with such committed people who give so much of their time for the good of their community.”  

Opportunity to learn

Cooney said usually when not-for-profit boards and trusts had any discretionary professional development funding they prioritised their senior leaders or staff. The Governance with Purpose programme allowed trust members to gain training for themselves, and for some, it was their first formal governance training.

“Everyone is so appreciative of the opportunity for governance learning and it is very affirming for them. They see that MSD and IoD are interested in their organisation and in their governance role in the community and that they want to support and grow them. Not-for-profit organisations certainly do not take this opportunity for granted.”

In her preparation for each course she facilitates, Cooney undertakes considerable research on the organisation, talks with the chair and investigates the environment within which they operate.

“I need to have this familiarisation with the organisation, and it’s particularly important when you’re working with small not-for-profit and NGO trusts. It is part of the uniqueness of this programme.”

Course content includes looking at the national context and government policy and where the particular social service provider fits within that context. It also covers the IoD’s Four Pillars (determination of purpose, effective governance culture, holding to account and effective compliance) and how to find balance across all four.

Facilitators guide attendees through thinking about the future of their organisation and putting together a plan for implementing any required changes and creating an even workflow. Attendees are left with a tailored resource book developed by the IoD for future reference. Cooney said she always felt proud leaving this excellent resource with attendees because of its relevance and high quality. She said the course was invaluable for creating space for thinking time for busy trustees and board members to think about all aspects of their governance role and the long-term future of their organisations. “It also gives them confidence on where they are at. It gives attendees a greater appreciation of what they’re doing, affirming their role and what they’re contributing locally and to NZ Inc.”