Going from Good to Great
Some people would rather run a mile than join a committee. They imagine Vicar-of-Dibley eccentricity that could only get bogged down in silly spats. It’s certainly one factor that keeps more than a few local activists away from community councils.
But there’s a champion of the challenge to dreary and divisive meetings. Jean Cuthbert of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh is a passionate advocate of good communication and successful team working. She delivers Good 2 Great, a tailor-made training programme, supported by City of Edinburgh Council, for committees of all types, including community councils. Jean knows how important it is for groups to learn how to manage differences before they develop into full-blown dramas.
“Every committee is made up of a variety of people with different experiences, backgrounds and skills,” she says. “To get the best from this diversity, it’s important that committees use everyone’s skills well. Voluntary committees or boards can develop the confidence and competence for good governance.
“Our programme can be tailored to what individual committees need. It can be designed to include leadership, effective decision-making and team management. Other topics can include succession planning and committee health checks.
“We can explore ideas around how to keep the meetings running well, valuing members and maintaining common principles and values in the committees, for example working to the Nolan Principles.”
The successful community councils that hold sparky and fruitful debates show a strong team spirit and they implement a firm code of conduct. They are also presided over by a skilled and competent Chair. If your CC hasn’t got all of these essential qualities, then as you see, it doesn’t have to go very far to get them.
Attracting and keeping new members will hang on how you conduct your meetings. If you think that your community council or committee could benefit from some support to move it from being good, to great, then find out more about Training and Support for Trustees.
Jean adds: “If you are interested in working together with our support, it‘s best if we have a discussion to identify your main focus for the sessions and dates and times that would work best for the committee. We are very happy to talk with you to see how we can help and support your development as a committee.”
- Jenny Mackenzie, Leith Central Community Councillor – 22 December 2011
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Gail Burton
Gail Burton explains how Volunteer Centre Edinburgh helped her develop as volunteer chair of the management committee for a homelessness charity.