Good Governance in Difficult Times: Camden’s new Trustee Network begins!

by Alex Charles4 August 20234 August 2023

On Tuesday 18th July Voluntary Action Camden and Volunteer Centre Camden hosted the first meeting of our new Trustee Network. It was held online and included a talk and subsequent discussion on ‘Good Governance in Difficult Times’.

These ‘difficult times’ appear to be the norm right now and there was a good attendance of Camden Trustees with the desire to share and learn from one another.

This network, which reflects a need in the VCSE sector and expressly asked for by our members, is designed as a space where ideas, hopes and concerns are discussed freely. It is a space where, with the help of others, troubles can be overcome and successes shared.

During our inaugural meeting the speaker, Hilary Barnard from HBMC / HBRL Consulting, who also has many years of experience as a Trustee, considered some issues that many Trustees share. These included finance, board recruitment and skills, steering, and other matters of good governance. This was followed by a Q&A where individuals were able to dive deeper into their own practical cases.

The second half of the meeting consisted of breakout sessions that allowed the attendees complete freedom to share and connect.

As a whole, it is estimated that the knowledge and experience of Trustees in Camden adds £145 million to the sector. Such enormous value can only be enhanced by the connections this network will inevitably build.

All Camden VCSE Trustees are welcome to attend our events.

If you are a Camden VSCE Trustee and would like to find out more about the Network, please check out our webpage.

Camden Trustee Network Community of Practice

In addition to the Camden Trustee Network, we have also established a Camden Trustee Network Community of Practice. This is a closed group (open only to Camden trustees) to allow us to maximise the benefits of free and honest discussion. Member’s of the Community of Practice gain access to:

Private Trustee Hub for accessing resources developed by and for the group (Microsoft SharePoint site)
Private Community of Practice (email group on Microsoft 365)

If you are interested in joining this group, please complete our online form.

Camden Trustee Network

Camden TRUSTEE NETWORK

Camden trustees are integral to the local VCSE and critical to the quality of community service provision in the borough.

The Camden Trustee Network brings together trustees from different Camden VCSE organisations to share experience, good practice, ideas and offer peer support.

It has been established by Voluntary Action Camden (VAC) and Volunteer Centre Camden (VCC) to help share skills, knowledge and enable peer support. VAC and VCC work to support the VCSE and understand the enormous contribution and importance trustees provide and this network will help provide valuable insight into the sector and help identify gaps, issues and future learning and development needs of trustees.

Currently, there is no network in Camden for VCSE Trustees. This is a unique opportunity to encourage collaboration and to generate and nurture ideas which we know is both valued and required by our members.

BENEFITS OF THE NETWORK

TRUSTEE EVENTS

Dedicated events for trustees, including a mini conference and end of year celebration and appreciation event, as well as a programme of training tailored specifically for Camden trustees.

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Dedicated email group to share information, best practice and insights, including access to a quarterly round up of relevant news, guidance and resources for current and aspiring trustees.

trustee TRAINING AND HUB

Central portal to host training, resources, case studies, tools and processes for non-profit organisations from recruiting Trustees / Directors / Committee Members through to how to be an effective Trustee.

CHARITY trustee INDUCTION PACK

An introduction to the role of trustee so trustees have a basic understanding of their duties and responsibilities

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you have any questions about the Trustee Network or governance in Camden, please contact info@vac.org.uk

Camden CEO Network

Camden CEO NETWORK

The CEO Network is for leaders of local voluntary sector organisations in Camden to discuss issues and ideas for the mutual benefit of the VCSE. The Network is there to encourage, guide, support and develop voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector leaders.

Until now, there hasn’t been a network in Camden for VCSE CEOs. This is a unique opportunity to encourage collaboration and to generate and nurture ideas which we know is both valued and required by our members.

The network will be a forum to discuss the big strategic issues facing your organisation, a place to share your leadership experiences with others, and to seek the advice and support of your peers.

At a time of such uncertainty, it can be lonely at the top. This is a space to connect, learn, and share with other leaders from across the Camden Voluntary and Community Sector.

BENEFITS OF THE NETWORK

QUARTERLY CEO EVENTS

Dedicated events for CEOs to include guest speakers (sector experts, industry leaders, politicians and policy makers), professional development and learning workshops, marketplace, and speed networking.

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Dedicated email group to share information, best practice and insights, including access to a quarterly round up of relevant news and guidance and resources for current and aspiring CEO’s.

CEO TRAINING AND HUB

Central portal to host training, resources, case studies, tools and processes for non-profit organisations from being effective in your first 100 days as a new organisation through to building resilience in a changing environment

CHARITY CEO INDUCTION PACK

A handy resource providing an introduction to the role of CEO so CEO’s and voluntary sector leaders have a basic understanding of their duties and responsibilities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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If you have any questions about the CEO Network or VCSE Leadership in Camden, please contact info@vac.org.uk