And another thing: board solidarity

Boards speak with one voice (except when they don’t).

Unfortunately, not only are we witnessing failures from boards not speaking up about the multiple, massive issues currently affecting their teams, organisations or sectors at the moment, but board members leaking confidential information, or bringing outside agendas into their meetings in an attempt to sway the actions of their boards or the orgs they oversee.

We’re also seeing board members resigning in protest at board decisions or processes (which is absolutely fair for them to do) but then immediately forgetting their duty of confidentiality doesn’t end when their term does (which is not).

PART 1: My latest ‘and another thing’ vlog covers the tricky legal and ethical terrain around board confidentiality and solidarity.

PART 2: The more people that speak up about issues like Palestine, the safer it becomes, Andy Butler reminds us in Meanjin. At the moment, however, those not carrying their weight are our institutions. 

PART 3: Unfortunately, a commitment to life, liberty and the equitable application of human rights and international law (even at a time when those things are not assured) has not been enough to overcome the institutional silence of many of our organisations. 

Read more

This edition of ‘and another thing’ draws from or references:

Further reading: Palestine as a governance issue

You can check out all of the articles and resources in this series, which include:

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Author: katelarsenkeys

Writer. Rabble-rouser. Arts, Cultural and Non-Profit Consultant.