Association of Chairs

👏 Chairs are volunteers who bring so much, do so much, and are crucial to the smooth and effective running of a board. They are unpaid, but they should not be unsupported. That's why we're here. 👍 We champion all Chairs, whether your non-profit is big or small, no matter where you are in your chairing journey. We offer: ✅ A thriving community of Chairs ✅Bespoke resources to support you ✅Training and events so you can learn, develop, and share. Find out more about our membership: https://lnkd.in/gehUAtc Or get in touch - we would love to hear from you! #Charity #NonProfit #Governance #Chairs

A huge thank you from all of us at the Association of Chairs. Whether 2024 saw you renew your membership, join the network, support our work, or just share a LinkedIn post or two – you have made a difference. The team is now on their festive break. Our office will re-open on 2 January, with most of the team back online from 6 January. Image description for accessibility: 'Thank you!' reads white text on a maroon background above a white text logo in the bottom left corner. In the top right is a circular image of people clapping overlaid on a pink speech bubble icon.

Thanks to specialist funder City Bridge Foundation, we are running a pilot scheme to match chairs for co-mentoring. You don't have to be a member of the Association of Chairs, but we ask that you or your charity be based in or serve Greater London. Find out more about the benefits of this particular scheme: https://lnkd.in/eQyUaaW6 Image description for accessibility: 'Extra support, advice and encouragement, If you or your charity is based in or serves Greater London, join our co-mentoring scheme' reads white text on a teal background. Light blue speech bubble icons are behind the Association of Chairs and City Bridge Foundation logos.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has released new guidance about how trustees can protect their charity from cyber crime. Trustees often delegate cyber security to an IT team – but it's important to remember that you remain responsible for ensuring your charity is protected. Read the updated guidance for information on: Types of cyber crime, from phishing to malware Cyber security tools Reporting cyber crime Help available from National Cyber Security Centre and Action Fraud https://lnkd.in/eZqa7CAQ #Governance

"It is the chair who creates the conditions for trustees to fulfil their financial responsibilities." 💬 Liz Pepler, a small charity finance consultant and one of the authors of our newest finance guide, sets the scene for financial governance in the charity sector. Liz discusses the current challenges, covers the role of the chair, and introduces the guide. https://lnkd.in/eghkDZAw #Governance #NotForProfit

We're welcoming Milla Mazilu as our new Large Charities Special Interest Group chair. Milla will be succeeding Helen Baker DL (former chair of Shelter), in post since 2018. Helen said, "Milla clearly combines knowledge of operational management on the ground with a real interest in how large and complex systems work. Her willingness to take on the chair of this network will be very much appreciated by colleagues." Milla Mazilu is chair of trustees for the Association for Project Management. She is particularly looking forward to leading the group in discussions around "technology, data, and analysis in improving outcomes, and board dynamics and executive-to-chair relationships". Read more about the appointment here: https://lnkd.in/eeQpFHRZ

Stephen Bunbury SFHEA, co-chair of Inclusion London, is a guest speaker for our next peer support session. Thanks to specialist funder City Bridge Foundation, we regularly bring together a friendly group of people to network, share ideas, and address common #governance topics. Stephen is also co-chair of the BME Colleague Network at the University of Westminster. He is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Law, based in Westminster Law School - University of Westminster. Stephen's wide range of experience in strategic leadership, as well as research expertise in equality law and disability discrimination, will be of huge value to our group. Booking is free via the link below. Central London venue details will be given when your place is confirmed. https://lnkd.in/efzdi3eN Image description for accessibility: navy writing reads "Disability inclusion on charity boards / Inclusion London co-chair Stephen Bunbury will speak at our next peer support session for London chairs, Tuesday 14 January, 6 – 8 pm" Logos of Association of Chairs, Inclusion London, and program funder City Bridge Foundation. Headshot of Stephen within a pink speech bubble icon. Faint background of tiny blue speech bubble icons.

In autumn 2024 nfpResearch undertook a survey, segmentation, and analysis of EDI practices on charity boards. Our new EDI guide, 'It starts from the top', shares many of the headline statistics from the survey. You can now find out more about the data behind the report and read about the process nfpResearch undertook. Click here to find the survey PDF: https://lnkd.in/eT-7jrgd. A big thank you to our supportive community. Hundreds of you answered the survey, and it's because of you that we have been able to help the whole not for profit sector to better understand EDI progress and challenges. Image description for accessibility: Cian Murphy stands behind a lectern, in front of a room full of people. He is gesturing towards a screen, which is partly visible. A curved white element placed at the bottom of the image has the Association of Chairs logo on it with the tagline Effective chair Effective board Effective non-profit.

"59% chose the statement “I know some things, but there are areas I would like to improve on and deepen my understanding” to reflect their takes on implementing an EDI strategy." 💬 Thank you Chongyang Zhang at Civil Society Media Ltd for covering our newest guides for chairs of boards, and for attending our launch event. https://lnkd.in/eiGBAtc5 #Governance

Free lunchtime webinar, Tuesday 10 December, to learn how your voluntary organisation can help ensure premises are safe for everyone who uses them. Hosted by the Ethical Property Foundation, the UK's only dedicated property advice charity serving the UK voluntary sector (and the sole referral partner to the Charity Commission for land and property advice). Particularly useful for chairs and leaders of smaller not for profit organisations. https://lnkd.in/eat4qZfZ #CharityPremises #RiskAssessment #Governance