There is no one universal definition of governance, but it is a word used to mean the management of processes for making, implementing and reviewing decisions in an organisation.
Good governance holds these qualities:
Accountable – the organisation is able to report, explain and be responsible for the consequences of its decisions.
Transparent – the ways in which the organisation operates is easy to identify and understand.
Compliant – it complies with internal procedures, the organisation’s constitution (as set out in its governing document such as Articles of Association or trust deed) and the relevant laws.
Responsive to the relevant needs of the organisation over time, making the most of limited resources in a timely and appropriate away.
Participatory – so that relevant people can be involved in decision making processes.
Predictable – so that the same situations result in the same decisions.
Efficient – to avoid misuse of resources.
A Charity Commission publication setting out all you need to know formally about being a trustee. First published: March 2012, latest updates: May 2018.
This toolkit provides advice on how to develop and maintain a constructive and effective Board for your arts organisation. Published: February 2019.
This resource is aimed at supporting charities to ensure the proper procedures and policies are in place to manage the charity’s resources effectively and, where appropriate, to make changes to their charity. Published: 2014.
This governance health check is a self-assessment tool which has also been devised by the Developing Governance Group as a practical resource to assist committees/boards to work towards adhering to the principles of the Code of Good Governance by the same author. It should help committees/boards of any size to demonstrate their good governance practices to their stakeholders, beneficiaries and funders alike. Published: 29 January 2016.
The DIY Committee Guide provides a central point of access to a wide range of practical, user-friendly resources on governance. It also provides clear support for groups implementing the Code of Good Governance for the Voluntary and Community Sector.
The Code of Good Governance sets out the principles and key elements of good governance for the boards of voluntary and community organisations. Published: 2016.
Following the publication of the Report on Corporate Culture and the Role of Boards by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the City Values Forum and Tomorrow’s Company have published a guide entitled Governing Culture: Risk and Opportunity? – a guide to board leadership in purpose, values and culture. Published: September 2016.
This five-in-one training pack gives you the tools and information to govern more effectively. Tackle the issues you and your trustees are facing and maximise your organisation’s impact by turning plans into action. Governance, strategy and impact all rolled into one.
What is the role of a board director and how should they go about fulfilling their responsibilities?
Yasmin Khan speaks with consultant Stephen Feber, who has been providing creation and production services to the cultural sector for over 30 years, about what makes best practice for museum boards. Published: July 2016.
A framework bringing together the key characteristics helping heritage organisations prosper and thrive. Published: March 2018.
A 2017 report from Museum Board Leadership, commissioned by AAM, which grades boards on a wide variety of policies, practices, and performance. The survey was conducted in partnership with BoardSource and Northern Trust. Published: 2017.
Practical support on governance by NCVO.
Clore Strategic Review of Governance Development Needs 2016/17. Published: August 2017.
This bookmark sets out the ten key points of good governance and also contains a board etiquette that can be adapted. Published: April 2014.
Report on a conference organised by the Cultural Leadership Programme in March 2009.
The good governance code for the charity sector.
Arts organisations across the United Kingdom are a national success story. Recognised throughout the world for their ambition, dynamism and creativity, they provide a ‘national resource that shapes all our lives, powers our creative economy, informs our education, enhances our health and wellbeing and enriches our communities and thus our national life’. Published: August 2017.
Success Guide by the Association of Independent Museums on successful governance. Published: 2018.
Developed by a steering group with the help of over 200 charities, it is the aim of this Code to help charities and their trustees develop high standards of governance.
To be used in conjunction with The Charity Governance Code, this is a practical tool kit acting as a checklist against which Trustees can note their progress, actions and their points for continuing improvement.
Leadership style is changing, from the extrovert personality controlling from the front to someone who shares power and develops and fosters relationships. Published: January 2014.
A guide to applying the principles of the Charity Governance Code, specially adapted for the smallest organisations.