Blog - Tesse Akpeki

Leadership and inspiration

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:49:20 +0000

Over the last few months as things have been challenging, I have drawn strength from my friends, family and and colleagues. It has been a great time to go back to basics. I am rediscovering my creative side, the things that make me laugh, cry, frustrated, angry, amazed, distressed, joyful, happy and content. I guess the past few years have been just too busy to indulge in this sort of ’self knowledge’ or awareness. More interestingly I am beginning to get a better grasp of other people’s worlds and I am finding myself having more fun and increased happiness. Every day counts, every moment, every experience, every meeting. Over the next few months I will be posting some of those thoughts which are (and have inspired me). Lets start with today’s one. “Begin to weave and you will be given thread”.

Happiness and inspiration

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:36:31 +0000

The recent session I ran at the NCVO conference on Inspirational Governance: a happiness hypothesis was well received. It was great to see and hear people sharing how hope and optimism is giving them a platform of resourcefulness in these difficult times. I will be running a day training at the Directory for Social Change in November. For details visit the Directory for Social change website. Watch this spot, as I will be publishing the key themes emerging from my action research on happiness.

The debates rage on to pay or not to pay?

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:07:32 +0000

The debate rages on about whether charity sector board members should be paid or not. The majority view is that trustees should not be paid. The Charity Commission has made it possible for board members to be paid for services. The position still remains that board members cannot be paid simply by being a trustee. My view is that even if there is a power to pay trustees, it does not necessarily mean that the power should be used. Even when it is used, there should be clear criteria about why payment is being made, how performance will be measured and how under-performance can be addressed. Trustees need to be applauded for what they do. Recognition of effort is important and every board should find a way to highlight and spotlight contribution. The most important aspects in my view are about motivation, appreciation, celebration, contribution and engagement. Seeing the vision achieved is about keeping the eye on the prize, the bigger picture and the input of trustees goes a long way in making this happen.

Inspiration at Hertfordshire Charity Trustee Conference

admin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:34:46 +0000

I met a wonderful trustee at the Hertfordshire Charity Trustee Conference and it was against the background of wonderful Spring-like weather. The encounter struck me for three reasons.

She is a new trustee and did not know where to start. Her charity had paid for her to attend the day and had asked her to go along to two more which they would support. However they gave no direction about what workshops she should attend, how this would fit back into the board or organisation when she came back or how she could share what she had learnt.

Secondly when asked about her motivation for becoming a trustee, she said the Chair was such an inspiration and a good leader and the organisation was doing such wonderful things, that she wanted to be part of that change.

Thirdly she indicated that though she was now retired she was open and welcoming to learning. “Up till a few years ago, I thought that a mouse was something that ran across the ground and you need to get rid of it. Now I know differently that a mouse is an important part of the technological age!”.

The encounter reminded me of the need to go back to basics and to support and encourage these inspirational people in our communities.

A look on the world

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:05:45 +0000

Welcome to my governance world. For the last fifteen years, governance has come to mean so much to me. It can make so much difference to the world, to society, to organisations and to people and causes served. We do not exist to govern, but like vanilla, it will be missed if it isn’t in the cake!

Welcome to Tesse’s Blog

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:00:15 +0000

This is the journey of Tesse Akpeki as a governance traveller. I start of by showing you the gradual route I have made in my governance thoughts. Management and governance are often described as being separate and never meeting. More of that later. I welcome thoughts on this.

My governance excitement index

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:36:46 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me about how my governance excitement index goes up when I come across a new governance practice. It is what good governance can achieve that sets my heart racing. I see a little local group who achieve greater clarity by focusing on their purpose for being there. It may seem like such a small thing but it does and can make a difference. In some small way working alongside groups like this makes governance support very worthwhile and in some way I feel that I can make my contribution to the world. Join me along this journey, seeing what is happening in this governance space and please feel free to share your own experiences!

Tesse

Implementing good governance practice

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:38:28 +0000

When I witness the wonderful things that can happen when good governance is implemented my governance index curve shoots right up. I have just spent time with a voluntary sector arts group. They have worked out their purpose, their reason for serving their community. They have revisited stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by linking into the visual arts work being run by their projects. The energy is electrifying, the spark one again re-ignited. Yes this governance journey is like a roller coaster, sometimes up, sometimes down and sometime plainly standing still. In every season, there is a reason.

Please join me in this governance journey, the milestones, the good, the bad and sometimes the plan ugly. Share your stories and let me know how things are going for you.

Tesse

When you have seen one board you have seen one board

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:06:42 +0000

Perish the thought that one model of governance will fit all sizes! The wealth of the voluntary and community sector lies in its ability to respond to need, to gaps, to innovate and reach out to parts and people that others don’t touch. Form should follow function not the other way around. Where the passion, the mission and the vision goes, the structure should follow and not the other way round.