Board KickStarter Breakfast - November 2016
Thanks everyone for joining me at our final Board KickStarter breakfast for 2016 and, in particular, to our fabulous speakers Jill Riseley and Alison Rowe for their informative, insightful and interesting stories and tips.
Here's a summary of some of their take-out messages:
From Alison
Network - go to events, volunteer, find a Board internship, do a course like Williamson Community Leadership Program (“MBA with a conscience), join AICD
Skills - sought after skills include finance, legal, strategy, fundraising and also your operational experience is also vital for understanding an industry or sector. Don't forget soft skills such as vulnerability, vision, humility
Challenges - try to balance up commitment so you don't end up over-committed; Board should stay in the strategy space; role of CEO as Director as well ; Chair is not the boss!
Conflict of Interest - if you see it, have the vulnerability to step up and say so.
Diversity in all aspects is important - age, gender, experience, location, where born.
Reward yourself!
From Jill
Get qualified - in particular, understand the role of management v. board. There's some useful links below
Get a Board CV - they are generally shorter than a regular CV and showcase your governance skills rather than operational experience
Get governance experience - sub committees, local organisations (there's some ideas of where to look below) BUT remember to not only do all the hard work with no glory!
Look for opportunities in organisations you are already part of - industry or membership organisations often have governance roles
“Find your box” - look at the skills matrix for various Boards and work out what your contribution is. It doesn't have to be all about finance and legal - strategy, engagement, digital and other skills are also sought after.
Timing - be in the right place, at the right time!
Understand the role and what you're signing up for - is it a 'hands on' board? Or governance? Are there any conflicts for you (think broadly about this - including interests of family and partner)
Trust your instincts
Network - go to events, participate online, invite people for a coffee
Develop your plan - think ahead 10 years of where you want to be and work backwards
Seize the day - never been a better time for women to get on boards in Victoria
Useful links for governance training
Australian Scholarship Foundation has some fabulous offerings for anyone on the Board or employed by a not-for-profit organisation
And, of course, Board KickStarter and Board Accelerator!


Feedback
Venue, food, acoustics all really good - Positive, informative, practical
Great venue and everything worked well - informative, practical, honest
Great choice of venue and speakers – affirming, focusing, energising
Personable speakers – thought-provoking, vulnerability, humility
Venue and structure of event work well – friendly, informative, timely
Speakers, venue, format, timing all worked well – poignant, useful, excellent
Candid contributions from Alison and Jill – informative, motivating, empowering
Fast moving, stimulated conversation, succinct, advice from engaging/attainable speakers (not intimidating) – professional, engaging, upskilling
Like the number of presenters to give different perspectives – informative, practical
Good venue and I really enjoyed the speakers – insightful, honest, enabling
The format, location and suggestion on introductions at table worked well – interesting, valuable, engaging
Space, coffee, format, and real opportunities worked well – connections, fun, informative
Excellent speakers with generous advice – mind expanding, energising
I loved the venue and thought it was all great – friendly, well-run, informative
Two great speakers with a good balance of insight – networking, insightful, friendly
Great food, good mix of people on the tables, hand cream – gold! Informative, relevant, awesome handbags
Program well timed, food very prompt and coffee great. Open speakers – welcoming, informative
Enjoyed the new location. Speakers great as always! Enjoyable, interesting, inspiring.
Food was nice and having two speakers is more relaxed than three – Inspiring, informative, fun
Delivering great breakfast and speakers! Wonderful insights into Boards, particularly like the ‘soft skills’ discussion – inspiring, motivating, affirming
Great speakers were great! Networking, informative, focussed
Food was great; excellent speakers
Useful, inspiring, interesting
Excellent, great networking, very insightful speakers
Tight agenda, complimentary speakers, connection at end by Helga was great idea – engaging experience. Venue great; handcream a winner!
Presenters were relevant and strong. Good format and timekeeping – interesting, insightful, honest
Informative, engaging, frank
Short presentations, good food, venue. Efficient, interesting, engaging.
Educational, inspiring, invigorating
Great central location, practical tips provided by both speakers – informative, practical, motivational
Interested in future Board KickStarter events? Let us know here and we'll make sure you're on the advance notice list!
Interested in Board KickStarter or Board Booster group coaching program? Let us know here and we'll make sure you are on the list for the next intake.
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