The Board Chairs’ Network is a forum for board chairs from charity and nonprofit organisations.
Facilitated by Carmichael, the purpose of the network is to provide a space for board chairs to meet each other, share experiences and discuss topics of mutual interest including key concepts and issues with nonprofit governance.
Meetings take place quarterly and there is a mix of in-person and online meetings. The in-person meetings take place from 6pm-8pm and the online meetings from 4pm-6pm. All meetings operate under Chatham House Rules and the format varies from having guest speakers leading discussions to meetings led by board chairs themselves.
There are over 90 board chairs in the network and there is no fee or charges for membership or attendance. Each meeting has a main theme for discussion and themes to date include:
- Changes in fundraising environment
- Compliance with funder requirements
- Creating an effective board culture
- Board renewal and succession planning and managing
- Performance of the CEO
- Dealing with conflict and disruptive board members
- Role and duties of charity trustee
The next meeting will take place on May 22nd, 6-8pm in person at Davy, 49 Dawson St, Dublin D02PY05.
If you would like to book a place, please register through this form.
For this meeting, Jillian Van Turnhout will kick off the discussion by sharing some of her experience of what a Board should do when they have to step in and handle a crisis that could damage the reputation of the organisation, particularly where the issue relates to the CEO.
Jillian is the Chairperson of Nursing Homes Ireland, Director of the Arts Council of Ireland and Director of The Private Security Authority (PSA). She is also a former senator and former CEO of Children Rights Alliance. On behalf of the Board of GLEN, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, Jillian undertook a review of the governance and compliance issues facing the organisation. The published report recommended the orderly wind up of the organisation and transfer of crucial projects to other NGOs. The Board adopted and implemented the recommendations in full. Jillian also advised Ireland’s Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to governance issues facing Scouting Ireland. She was appointed by the Minister in May 2018 and published a report with recommendations in the area of governance, safeguarding and compliance. The report was welcomed with a commitment to implement all recommendations.
An informal discussion will follow, under Chatham House Rules (attendees may repeat information from the discussion but they may not say which person or organisation the information relates to).
Again, to attend, please book your free place through this link.
Facilitated by Carmichael, the purpose of the network is to provide a space for nonprofit board chairs to meet each other, share experiences and discuss topics of mutual interest including key concepts and issues with nonprofit governance. The network meets in person once per year and online 3 times per year.
This event is only open to Chairs and Vice Chairs of nonprofit Boards.
If you would like to join the Board Chairs’ Network and/or attend the next meeting, sign up here or contact Roisin@carmichaelireland.ie.