What is it like to be a Director?
When I first became a board member, I would liken it to turning up for a marathon sporting new shorts, a pasta breakfast and masses of enthusiasm, i.e.- full of good intentions but rather unprepared for the journey ahead!
Eighteen months in, and after some initial apprehension, I have some training under my belt, an idea of the direction I should take, a band of supporters in fellow directors, staff and members who encourage, advise and keep me on track. Suddenly, it all feels so much more possible but there’s still a way to go!
I joined with some idea about the role I was undertaking having attended an induction day where it was clearly spelt out for me, but I didn’t grasp the reality. A board member needs to be the unusual combination of a protector and respecter of the 30 years heritage and hard work from which the Society has evolved and now entrusted to the current board, alongside a crystal ball gazer, trying to position the Society to embrace future opportunities while minimising potential risks.
This last year has seen some real challenges. For example, the collapse of the Council of Organisations Registering Homeopaths (CORH) and several high profile external onslaughts on our profession have seen us need skills not normally used as practising homeopaths - admittedly exciting opportunities for personal development. However, I feel it is really important that as members strive for greater professional acceptance, the board and the Society in ‘representing professional homeopaths’ should equally strive to identify and acquire skills necessary to continue their improvement.
This could be daunting, but the board has tremendous team spirit with lashings of good humour and mutual support which makes life much easier. Board meetings, generalised as tedious affairs, do not fall into that category in the Society! We set common goals and despite healthy debate on how they are achieved, results clearly demonstrate how teamwork is infinitely more effective than the sum of the talents of the individuals. And, like many modern families, our team extends beyond the board to the staff who implement strategy and pass on both knowledge and experience to members.
So back at the starting gate, what skills would help a new director hit the ground running?
A good understanding of Society processes and the legal requirements of the directors role, confidence to challenge, flexibility, a strong sense of teamwork, a willingness to get to grips with basic finance and a fine sense of humour!
Anyone interested should contact Paula Ross or Eva Tombs-Heirman at The Society office on 0845 450 6611.