Developed in partnership with Newport City Homes. Agored Cymru Accredited Training Programme Level 2, Credit Value 4, 20 hour programme.

This course has been designed with the following objectives in mind:

• To support potential tenant board members who express an interest in this round of vacancies to become "board ready" should they be elected
  
• To build transferable skills and increase tenant confidence giving recognition of their efforts through accreditation
  
• To support participants to create a pen portrait suitable for use in the election process

The content of the sessions are delivered using a range of learning methodologies including presentations, large and small group discussions, practice exercises and learning log entries. The sessions, length in hours and key learning outcomes are provided below:

Introductory Session (2 hours)
By the end of the session participants will understand:

• The benefits of board membership
  
• The organisation’s history, purpose, mission, vision and values
  
• The role and responsibilities of a board member
  
• Difference between board membership and other involvement opportunities
  

At the end of this session there will be a quiz and entry level competence self-assessment to enable tenants to decide if this is the right course for them.

Session 1: Introduction to Board Membership (3 hours)
By the end of the session participants will:

• Understand the legal and ethical aspects of the role of a board member in detail
  
• Understand the principles of the regulatory framework
  
• Recognise principles for effective team working Ideally we would encourage a current tenant board member to attend this session and share their experiences.

Session 2: Making a contribution (3 hours)
By the end of the session participants will:

• Know the difference between strategic and operational issues
  
• Understand the role of the chair
  
• Recognise and know how to use different question styles
  
• Understand problem solving and decision making techniques
  

This session aims to build confidence amongst the participants in being able to get their point across in meetings effectively.

Session 3: Principles of Governance (3 hours)
By the end of the session participants will:

• Understand how the regulatory framework is applied in practice in the organisation
• Understand the dangers of poor governance based on case studies
• Recognise the importance of conduct, probity, openness and accountability
• Understand the balance of internal control and risk in governing the organisation

This session focuses on both the technical aspects and the behaviours important for boards.

Session 4: Strategic Planning (3 hours)
By the end of the session participants will:

• Understand the strategy development process for the organisation
  
• Understand why strategies are developed and what the mission ,vision and values are used for
  
• Understand the Board’s role in implementing the strategy
  

Session 5: Delivering the Business (3 hours)
By the end of the session participants will:

• Understand basic financial accounts
  
• Understand the range of services delivered by the organisation and standards for these services
  
• Understand the role of the Board as the employer
  
• Understand the role of the Board in regards to Equality and Diversity
  
• Have created their own pen portrait

Session 6: Review & the Practicalities of Applying for Board Membership (3 hours)
A review of the course to date and an opportunity to repeat any content that needs further understanding

• Understand the process for applying for board membership
  
• Be able to identify ways to know what other tenants want to inform board decision making
  
• Be able to reflect and give feedback on their experience of the course

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Facilitated by

SIMON LAWRENCE FCIPD, Dip Mgt Studies, BSc (Hons), NLP Master Practitioner, Myers Briggs Certified User
With 20 years in organisational development and training in public and private sectors, Simon supports organisations to make strategic business and cultural changes through training. Simon is also a qualified coach. 

Simon has worked with housing associations across England and Wales to prepare tenants for board membership and scrutiny organisations, increase the skills of their managers and staff, and build the commitment of teams to a shared vision.  He has a particular interest in different approaches to scrutiny and serves on the board of a mental health charity in Birmingham, BITA Pathways, chairing its finance committee