Reflections of the Board Away Day 🦋

On Sunday 18 October, we held our annual Board Away Day.

Josh, my mentor from Purposeful Ventures, facilitated the day alongside Cordie, one of our trustees and Chair of our Governance Committee.

We spent time reflecting on where we have been and where we want to be over the next few years. We listened to the stories of our families and considered the impact we have had so far.

But one of the most important reflections for me was about the contribution of one particular trustee, Ann, who has been our Chair of Trustees for the past four years.

Let me tell you a little about why.

In 2021, we decided that New Beginnings needed to change its organisational status from a Community Interest Company to that of a charity, to better reflect our mission and purpose and the people we serve.

The importance of establishing strong foundations

In 2022, Ann joined our Board of Trustees.

Not long afterwards, Ann was asked to become our Chair. This was great for New Beginnings, although perhaps not quite so great for Ann, because she soon realised, she had her work cut out for her!

One of her biggest tasks was helping us put the right governance processes and structures in place. At the heart of a charity's governance is its Board of Trustees, and trustees carry significant responsibility for ensuring that the organisation is governed properly and remains true to its purpose.

Over the past four years, Ann has given so much of her time to making sure we have strong foundations. She has helped us ensure that we operate in the way we should, that every trustee understands the importance of their role, and that responsibility is shared across the Board rather than resting with just one or two people.

But Ann's contribution has gone much further than governance.

She has made sure that I, as CEO, have felt supported. She has met with me every month, challenged me when I have needed challenging, and been a trusted critical friend. She has also made the time to come into the centre, meet our families and our team, and understand their experiences of New Beginnings for herself.

Sunday was Ann's last day with us.

We will miss her greatly, but more than anything, we (me and the Board) feel incredibly grateful for everything she has given to New Beginnings. She leaves us with stronger foundations, a stronger Board and a clearer understanding of what good governance looks like.

And she also leaves us in good hands.

So, Ann, thank you.

Thank you for your time, your challenge, your honesty, your support and, most importantly, for believing in New Beginnings and what we are trying to achieve.

Moving forwards as a Board

Mick has kindly agreed to step up as Chair, and our remaining trustees, Cordie, Matt, Aisha, Rachel and Naz are going nowhere. I won't let them.

I have never been a trustee, so I can't pretend to know exactly what it feels like to carry that kind of responsibility. But I do know what I see.

I see people who give their time, energy, experience and commitment to our charity.

They challenge me. They keep me grounded. They don't lose sight of our values, the families we exist for, or what New Beginnings is worth.

They know my strengths, but they also know my limitations. And sometimes they help me lean into some uncomfortable places, because that is where I need to go if I am going to continue growing as a CEO and do the best I can for our team and our families.