Local event to showcase best practice in Governance in Coventry and Warwickshire

The CWIC (Coventry and Warwickshire Infrastructure Consortium) Quality and Governance project formally comes to an end on 31st March 2011. VAC has been the lead organisation for this project. Since the autumn of 2008 the project has delivered 30 different activities to over 320 groups across Coventry and Warwickshire. In Coventry alone 80 groups have accessed support provisions from VAC.

The project partners (all members of CWIC) held a celebration event on the evening of 1st March 2011 at The Sports Connexion (Ryton on Dunsmore) The event included an awards section, all nominations for the awards (in four Governance categories; see details below) had been considered by an Independent panel a few weeks before, the winners were announced on the night.

The awards section was an important part of the event to showcase some very good Governance practice in the local voluntary and community sector. In addition, two groups Kairos WWT and Rugby ROSA gave some feedback on the improvements that had taken place within their organisations. They each explained how the training and support provided by the project had helped them to make these improvements.

The event was also supported by an external speaker; Ben Bilverstone who is a Trustee for the Diana Award and as a young Trustee (22yrs) is a strong advocate and champion for involving young people in Governance, Ben shared his experience as a ‘Young' board member.

The event was attended by over 60 delegates and feedback from people was very good with everyone describing the awards section of the event as either ‘Good or Very good'. Many of the delegates also praised the quality of the presentations from Kairos and Rugby ROSA and requested that this type of event continues into the future.

The awards categories were as follows:

• Best Chairperson - Representing Leadership

Details about the category winners and the reasons why they were selected are shown below: -

Best Chairperson - Representing Leadership

Paul Nash Bulkington Village Hall

Paul was recognised for re energizing the board by proactively recruiting new Board members with the relevant skills to advance the organisation. In order to achieve this, he implemented a thorough and supportive induction procedure for new Trustees. In addition, he manages the boards ‘business' at meetings very effectively and efficiently and allows everyone to contribute in a fair and inclusive manner. Five sub committees have been set up and a different board member leads each subcommittee making the most of each person's skills and competences. This has resulted in the board implementing a number of comprehensive policies that ensure the smooth running of this very busy community facility.

Trustee Board Showing the Most Improvement

This organisation has made considerable progress in the last two years. In early 2009 they described their board as in ‘disarray' and the governance and operations of the local group were in the hands of the central team at RCV. Since then they have recruited new Trustees including a service user, they have proactively coordinated local services and increased the numbers of members and volunteers. The board is now taking full responsibility for fund raising. Trustees are accessing ongoing training and starting to implement the quality standards of PQASSO.
Best presented Annual Report
Crossroads Coventry and Warwickshire
This charity has a good reputation for its work with carers in Coventry and Warwickshire. The annual report was commended for detailing key facts and figures but also clearly communicating the impact that they make to the lives of carers and the people that they care for. Their report was described as very ‘readable' and easy to understand and importantly helps to promote the aims of the charity to the wider community.

Best Newcomer - Group

This group formed in 2008 initially to bring together a group of local artists with the aim to represent Nuneaton in Warwickshire Art Week 2008. However, it quickly became apparent that their purpose should be expanded and, with the support of various local infrastructure organisations, they developed their mission statement and constitution.

Since 2008, Art Alert have developed their understanding of the local voluntary community sector, they have also learnt the requirements of running an effective local community based group. Accordingly, they have accessed training and support with three of the local partners within this project in the Warwickshire area in order to equip individuals and the board as a whole with the necessary skills and competences.

If you have felt inspired by any of the Good Practice attributes of these organisations and would like to progress these within your organisation then please contact Kate Harris at VAC 024 7622 0381 k.harris@vacoventry.org.uk for further advice and information.