If not, why? What are the advantages and risks of including independent Board members?
Tradition has been that National Movements recruit their Committee (Board) members from within their organisations. In some cases, the constitution may have a representative model where some of the committee members represent other parts of the organisation.
Whilst this has the advantage of the individuals having a knowledge and understanding of the YMCA, there is a risk that there is a lack of outside knowledge and skills.
National Movements (NMs) are independent, and the Committee members are responsible for the governing of the NM and making decisions on how it should be run. Making decisions is one of the most important parts of a committee members’ role. Some decisions are simple and straightforward; others can be complex or far reaching in their consequences.
National Movements may be recruiting committee members for the first time or to replace someone who’s left. Refreshing the committee with independent members is an opportunity to:
- Bring in new ways of reaching your members/beneficiaries
- Keep pace with developments in technology
- Get new ideas or contacts to help you raise funds.
- Bring different points of view to a discussion
- Think of new ways of doing things
In addition, the reasons for appointing an independent committee member are many and varied, but typically will be one or more of:
- Assisting the committee with increased governance demands
- Working through complex issues
- Managing conflicts of interest
- A need to improve the committee’s effectiveness
- And last but by no means least, to add an independent voice. This is especially important during periods of corporate change or uncertainty
Independent committee members may have untapped skills and experience from their previous committee roles, work or voluntary activity. A skills audit can help build a picture of this.
It is important to recruit committee members who have the experience and skills your National Movement needs. They need to be interested in the work and be willing to give their time to help run it.
Being a committee member takes commitment. Don’t appoint independent committee members because of their status or position in the community alone – these people may be better as patrons.
Aim for a minimum of three, or one third of your committee membership, as independent committee members, with a good range of skills. You need enough committee members to govern an organisation effectively. It’s also important to keep your committee small enough to arrange meetings easily and allow effective discussion and decision making.
All Committee members, including independent ones must:
- always act in the best interests of the organisation – must not let personal interests, views or prejudices affect their conduct as a committee member
- act reasonably and responsibly in all matters relating to the NM
- only use the NM’s income and property for the purposes set out in its constitution
- make decisions in line with good practice and the rules set by the constitution, including excluding any committee member who has a conflict of interest from discussions or decision-making on the matter
If a National Movement is considering appointing any Independent Committee member, it is important to review the relevant sections of the constitution and if needed make any amendments at the appropriate General meeting.
The material is created within the project “Organic Governance and Quality Development” supported by Erasmus+, Key Action 2 programme.
Movement Strengthening in YMCA Europe is aimed at building the capacity of organisations in different spheres including governance, internal policies, quality standards and strategic planning. Learn more
