Even for seasoned arts board members, the details of the role can be far from clear. What are my responsibilities? Can I make a real difference for the arts organisation? How will I know if I am being effective?

Brisbane company Positive Solutions has developed BoardConnect with funding from Arts Queensland as a new service which responds to these questions. The service aims to harness more effectively the goodwill, energy and skills of board and management committees in the arts.

This initial pilot program will assist board members with advice and information, and encourage best practice in governance. Its services will include training initiatives, round-tables and information. BoardConnect will also provide an advisory and specialist referral service on board issues, and will respond to queries or problems raised by board members or executive staff.

Although there are a number of agencies which provide advice and support in the arts – there are none which are dedicated to optimising the role of the board. BoardConnect fills that gap.

Who is the service targeting?

The pilot program is targeted at board and committee members in the arts and cultural sector in Queensland.

The program is also at the service of CEOs (eg. Artistic Director or General Manager) who work with and serve boards and management committees.

How will it benefit boards and companies?

Building an effective board can take time. BoardConnect will offer resources, templates, and access to relevant internet-based materials which help address the Board's monitoring and control responsibilities as efficiently as possible; and which help clarify how the Board can work with the artistic leadership to drive a dynamic, focused organisation.

BoardConnect will provide opportunities for discussion around creating a climate of trust, encouraging constructive dissent, and developing strategic thinking – all part of creating the right chemistry in the boardroom and between Board and staff.

How will it benefit the wider arts community?

Good governance has a positive flow-on effect that can significantly affect the perception of the sector held by business, or anyone who is on the outside looking in. Businesses who engage in arts partnerships, as well as philanthropists, want to associate with arts organisations that demonstrate effective trusteeship, organisational stability, and who practice responsible leadership and a commitment to best practice.

In pursuing effective governance, organisations increase their sustainability and contribute to a stronger sector.

What are BoardConnect's first initiatives and when do they start?

The service is under way now and is both reactive and proactive. Reactive means that any board member, chair or CEO can call or email with queries. Proactive refers to the planned program which will commence with a series of round table sessions for chairs, CEOs and board members, to be rolled out in September, October and November.

As needs are identified, we will hold information sessions and customised workshops and supplement these with both internet resources and print publications.

What sort of skills are you looking for in your advisors?

Most of our advisers will come from the legal and financial sectors, plus consultants who specialise in not-for-profit governance. There are many potential advisers who are keen to assist the arts sector. Some will offer pro bono support for the service, with a time-cap per client. In some cases where a longer-term engagement is needed, for example establishing and steering through a CEO appraisal process, or reframing the organisation's Constitution, we will broker support from advisers in our network, on an agreed fee for service basis.

How does BoardConnect differ from existing arts business services such as the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) or Volunteering Queensland?

BoardConnect seeks to complement other services, not compete with or duplicate. This learning 'gap' for the arts sector was identified as an opportunity to add value to arts boards.

AbaF is a national organisation which promotes private sector support for the arts through three programs: Partnering, Volunteering, Giving.

AbaF's Volunteering program works across two areas: adviceBank - a volunteer skills exchange program between arts and business managers to increase business capability; and boardBank which seeks to 'match' a business person with an arts board. BoardConnect addresses the needs of existing boards. In this way our services are complementary.

Volunteering Queensland offers Governance 'placements' on not-for-profit boards as one of its five core models of volunteering. VQ are currently developing resources and training for potential volunteers.

BoardConnect is in close contact with each of these organisations, and with Artsupport Australia* and others, to ensure alignment of our service and theirs.

I'm looking forward to working with boards of management in the sector to help with increasing their value to the arts organisations they serve. Sometimes it can be a tough job but BoardConnect has been created to respond with relevant assistance wherever possible.

Whether it's a query relating to secretarial functions or the responsibilities of a chair, our confidential phone-line and supporting resources as mentioned earlier will be able to assist.

*Artsupport Australia is an initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts to grow cultural philanthropy.

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We welcome feedback and contributions to Arts Update. Please contact the editor, Colleen Turner on (07) 3225 8841 or email artsupdate@arts.qld.gov.au