BACKGROUND
The CEO-Chair workshops are predicated on the fact that the CEO-Chair relationship is the most important governance relationship in a not-for-profit community organisation. CCA has run these workshops since 2017 to ensure that member CEOs and Board Chairs have the skills, shared understanding and background to manage this relationship properly.
The 30 March 2021 workshop caters for both new CEOs as well as for more experienced CEOs and both new and experienced Chairs and/or senior Board Directors. The Workshop leader will be Dr Ty Wiggins from Converge Consulting, who is highly experienced in working on the governance of Australian not-for-profit adult and community education organisations.
WORKSHOP PURPOSE
The purpose of the CEO-Chair workshop is to:
- Strengthen the relationships between CCA member CEOs and their respective organisational Chairs, to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both CEOs and Chairs, to challenge their understanding of the organisation’s opportunities and to align their thinking;
- Assist the governance of all CCA member organisations, supporting them to operate strategically, to respond to new business challenges and to manage effectively; and
- Ensure sustainable adult and community college (ACE) organisations by strengthening their leadership capabilities, managerial foresight and financial health.
THE CEO-CHAIR RELATIONSHIP
The relationship between an organisation’s CEO and Chair is crucial for success. Fostering, facilitating and improving this relationship is one of the most important things an organisation can do to invest in its future. The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) states in its paper “The Role of the Chair”:
The Chair acts as an important link between the Board and the organisation’s management via the CEO. Responsibilities of the Chair include:
- liaising and interfacing with the CEO as the primary contact between the board and management;
- establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with the CEO;
- overseeing negotiations for the CEO’s employment and evaluating the CEO’s performance; and
- planning for CEO succession.
Chairs and CEOs work closely together to:
- communicate the views of the board to stakeholders and the public accurately and effectively; and
- set the agenda for the matters to be considered by the board, ensuring that the information provided to the board is relevant, accurate, timely.
OTHER CCA GOVERNANCE TRAINING
CCA is committed to empowering its members through governance training. In addition to CCA’s governance podcasts, CCA offers a CEO coaching program when funding is available. Contact CCA’s CEO, for more details.
