This might mean that anyone is free to join the organisation and that all members can stand for election to the board, or that the organisation holds regular meetings to find out what is on people’s minds.
Either way, sharing responsibility means that members of the public have a meaningful voice in the leadership of the organisation, potentially including control over budgets and editorial priorities.
Tips
- Some people may need additional support to play an active role in governance. Have you explored access and training requirements, for example?
- Check that people are able to take part in governance at a level that suits them. Not everyone wants to sit on a board or attend regular meetings. How can you make sure that all voices are heard in the leadership of the organisation?
- Governance can get messy when people have conflicting ideas about who is in charge or non-executive board members cross the line into operations. Make sure that there is a clear and shared understanding of roles and responsibilities.
Example
- The Bristol Cable is a co-operative news media organisation in Bristol, UK, which is ultimately owned and controlled by members of the local community.
