Description

Book Synopsis

Nothing really prepares you for what it’s like to become a board trustee of a charity you believe in; nothing, that is, until now.

This book talks you through how to become a brilliant board trustee, carry out your roles effectively and even enjoy the experience.

Written by a current board member, for boards and their trustees, each chapter outlines the key approaches to take to become part of an empowered and brilliant board. Discover the principles of Governing with Purpose, and find out why governance and leadership are core values for board trustees.

Above all, it speaks to the value of your role in leading a charity to achieve its objectives.

Brian Cavanagh has over 25 years’ experience of governance and leadership in the public sector in Scotland. He is the CEO of Calibrate, a mentoring consultancy specializing in strategic leadership and board governance for the charity sector in UK and Ireland. Brian chairs an SME in Scotland and is a board member of a housing association in Ireland.



Trade Review

"..an incredibly valuable resource for anyone new to the world of charity governance and an apt refresher for any existing trustee" Changing the Chemistry

* Changing the Chemistry *

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1 First Principles

Chapter 1 Governing with purpose
What does it mean for board members, understanding your why as a board member and reimagining your role

Chapter 2 – What does good board governance look like?
Setting out foundations of how board members add value, understanding roles and the power relationships around the board and outwith the board room

Chapter 3 Governing Cause Organisations - keeping to purpose
A wider look at what governing in a values-based organisation in regulatory framework means - and the challenges and opportunities that entails.

Part 2 - Critical relationships

Chapter 4 The key relationship: Primus inter pares - the Chair
Identifying the different types of Chair/CEO combinations and outlining the best balance for Governing with Purpose

Chapter 5 The key relationship; the CEO
Setting out the roles of the CEO and exploring the different approaches and their impact on relationships with the board.

Part 3 revisiting the roles

Chapter 6 Effective decision making
What are the key components and techniques that make for good decision making? How much should be delegated and what is the role of CEO and senior management in that? What roles do committees have in managing and assessing risk, and above all how do the personality types of board members impact upon decision making?

Chapter 7 Groupthink versus Dissent - getting the balance right
Examining the nature of constructive challenge and the dangers of Groupthink and Dissent - and how board members play out their roles of collective responsibility and personal and moral views as a core to Governing with Purpose

Chapter 8 Strategy versus Scrutiny - getting the balance right
Exploring the dilemma how Boards often feel more comfortable in their scrutiny role yet getting more involved in the shaping of strategy is where boards need to be – chapter outlines how boards should manage that dilemma

Part 4 Re-imagining Purpose

Chapter 9 Governance as Leadership
Introducing the concept of governance as leadership to improve general board effectiveness, and how boards can realise their power

Chapter 10 Board as Ambassador and Influencer
Exploring the under-realised importance of a board member as ambassador and influencer – and hoe boards can offer real added value and demonstrate their leadership

Chapter 11 The Learning Board
Showing that Governing with Purpose can only be fully realised through the development of a learning board, with thoughts on how to achieve that

Chapter 12 – Recruit and Renew
Showing to how to develop successful succession planning and board renewal

Appendix one

The Holy Grail – the perfect board meeting

Appendix two

Roles and responsibilities

Governing with Purpose: How to lead a brilliant

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    £14.24

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    RRP £14.99 – you save £0.75 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 16 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Brian Cavanagh

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Governing with Purpose: How to lead a brilliant by Brian Cavanagh

      Publisher: Practical Inspiration Publishing
      Publication Date: 13/09/2022
      ISBN13: 9781788603546, 978-1788603546
      ISBN10: 1788603540

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Nothing really prepares you for what it’s like to become a board trustee of a charity you believe in; nothing, that is, until now.

      This book talks you through how to become a brilliant board trustee, carry out your roles effectively and even enjoy the experience.

      Written by a current board member, for boards and their trustees, each chapter outlines the key approaches to take to become part of an empowered and brilliant board. Discover the principles of Governing with Purpose, and find out why governance and leadership are core values for board trustees.

      Above all, it speaks to the value of your role in leading a charity to achieve its objectives.

      Brian Cavanagh has over 25 years’ experience of governance and leadership in the public sector in Scotland. He is the CEO of Calibrate, a mentoring consultancy specializing in strategic leadership and board governance for the charity sector in UK and Ireland. Brian chairs an SME in Scotland and is a board member of a housing association in Ireland.



      Trade Review

      "..an incredibly valuable resource for anyone new to the world of charity governance and an apt refresher for any existing trustee" Changing the Chemistry

      * Changing the Chemistry *

      Table of Contents

      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      Part 1 First Principles

      Chapter 1 Governing with purpose
      What does it mean for board members, understanding your why as a board member and reimagining your role

      Chapter 2 – What does good board governance look like?
      Setting out foundations of how board members add value, understanding roles and the power relationships around the board and outwith the board room

      Chapter 3 Governing Cause Organisations - keeping to purpose
      A wider look at what governing in a values-based organisation in regulatory framework means - and the challenges and opportunities that entails.

      Part 2 - Critical relationships

      Chapter 4 The key relationship: Primus inter pares - the Chair
      Identifying the different types of Chair/CEO combinations and outlining the best balance for Governing with Purpose

      Chapter 5 The key relationship; the CEO
      Setting out the roles of the CEO and exploring the different approaches and their impact on relationships with the board.

      Part 3 revisiting the roles

      Chapter 6 Effective decision making
      What are the key components and techniques that make for good decision making? How much should be delegated and what is the role of CEO and senior management in that? What roles do committees have in managing and assessing risk, and above all how do the personality types of board members impact upon decision making?

      Chapter 7 Groupthink versus Dissent - getting the balance right
      Examining the nature of constructive challenge and the dangers of Groupthink and Dissent - and how board members play out their roles of collective responsibility and personal and moral views as a core to Governing with Purpose

      Chapter 8 Strategy versus Scrutiny - getting the balance right
      Exploring the dilemma how Boards often feel more comfortable in their scrutiny role yet getting more involved in the shaping of strategy is where boards need to be – chapter outlines how boards should manage that dilemma

      Part 4 Re-imagining Purpose

      Chapter 9 Governance as Leadership
      Introducing the concept of governance as leadership to improve general board effectiveness, and how boards can realise their power

      Chapter 10 Board as Ambassador and Influencer
      Exploring the under-realised importance of a board member as ambassador and influencer – and hoe boards can offer real added value and demonstrate their leadership

      Chapter 11 The Learning Board
      Showing that Governing with Purpose can only be fully realised through the development of a learning board, with thoughts on how to achieve that

      Chapter 12 – Recruit and Renew
      Showing to how to develop successful succession planning and board renewal

      Appendix one

      The Holy Grail – the perfect board meeting

      Appendix two

      Roles and responsibilities

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