Presentation on Governance Duties for Community Radio Boards Stephanie Comey Senior Manager BAI

What is Governance Any organisation must carry out 3 separate roles: –Governance, Management and Operations. While Management is about organising the work and making sure it is done, operations carry out the work These 2 functions are done by staff and volunteers Governance is the principal responsibility of the station Board

Role of a Board 1.Leading the organisation 2.Managing, supporting and holding staff and volunteers to account 3.Exercising control over the organisation 4.Being transparent and accountable 5.Working effectively 6.Behaving with integrity

Regulatory and legal duties BAI requires Boards to adhere to their contracts, their funding agreements, and the Learning and Development Policy Depending on status of the organisation, different laws may apply (refer to organisational legal status and Governance booklet) Employment legislation: keeping aware of changes and duties Health and safety legislation: board must provide safe workplace Equality legislation: nine grounds Data protection legislation: keeping updated on this too

Board Meetings Essentials Clearly defined roles for the Chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer Board participation in sub-committees and working groups is desirable Proper meeting planning and agenda setting, recording and publishing of minutes

BAI Contractual Obligations Board: Gender balance requirements Compliance requirements: the programme schedule and the PPS must be complied to unless there are agreed deviations (agreed by BAI), AMARC charter HR requirements: best practice HR, employment law, trade union, employee records, etc Programming: see section 5 of your contract! Technical: studio and head office must be wheelchair accessible Commercial: advertising limits and restrictions Financial: good governance, appropriate book-keeping, BAI returns, etc

Questions to ask yourself Have I read the BAI contract? Do I know and understand my responsibilities? Do I know what the station staff is doing? Have I visibility over the work of staff and volunteers? Am I clear on the financial status of the station? Is the station a safe place to work? How do I know? Are there policies in place that minimise risk? Are all board members, staff and volunteers aware of these? This list not exhaustive!!!

Thank you Question and Answer session