This post concludes the series on board effectiveness evaluation with a somewhat disparate collection of observations and reflections. Some of the ideas and charts included here might have been quite relevant in earlier parts of the series, but if they were not available at that time, their inclusion here acts as an amplification and reinforcement… Continue reading How effective is your board? – Part 6
Tag: for-purpose
Helping
The non-profit / for-purpose sector is all about helping. Each NFP organisation serves a cause and seeks to provide benefits to its clients and the broader community. Each seeks to be pro-social and ethical in its own way. Some may focus on the welfare of individuals or groups, while others serve a defined group like… Continue reading Helping
‘Curbing’ Social Responsibility – the new CSR
Government ministers’ rebukes of corporate leaders who comment on social issues have received news coverage again in recent days. The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Ben Morton, criticised companies acting as “self-appointed moral guardians”. This is consistent with 2017 remarks by Minister Peter Dutton that companies should “stick to their knitting” rather than using… Continue reading ‘Curbing’ Social Responsibility – the new CSR
Sustainable purposes
The not-for-profit sector is sometimes called the ‘for purpose’ sector, as this reflects the way organisations in the sector generally share common goals ‘for society‘. Many companies in the ‘for profit’ sector have engaged social license, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability issues over recent years, and met with a mixed reaction. Sometimes they were accused… Continue reading Sustainable purposes
“All models are wrong, but some are useful”
Originally a reflection on statistical modeling, this quote from British statistician George E. P. Box can also be helpfully applied to most business and planning models commonly used in strategic planning and governance deliberations. The quote is similar to American scientist and philosopher Alfred Korzybski’s remarks that “the map is not the territory” and that… Continue reading “All models are wrong, but some are useful”
Purpose + Principles = Policies and Procedures
Not-for-profit directors generally understand that part of their governance role involves setting policies to guide the actions of office bearers, staff, and volunteers. However, not all of them have understood the importance of capturing the principles underpinning the policy in question. For the purposes of this article, the policies we are considering are ‘governance policies‘… Continue reading Purpose + Principles = Policies and Procedures
Social progress – we must do better
The Social Progress Index for 2018, shows that Australia slipped from 6th (Tier 1) to 15th (Tier 2) place between 2017 and 2018. Our lowest component scores were for: Inclusiveness Access to Advanced Education Health and Wellness Personal Freedom and Choice Environmental Quality Australia’s highest component scores related to: Nutrition and Basic Medical Care Water… Continue reading Social progress – we must do better