Project Description
Maintaining strong governance at Australia’s preeminent theatre arts training institution
> THE CONTEXT
The National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) has the goal of empowering storytellers of all ages and backgrounds, wherever they may be, through platforming the performing arts across stage, screen, future media. They offer acclaimed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and vocational diplomas, open short courses, corporate training and partnerships and school programs.
Positive Solutions came on board in early 2020 to assist NIDA in an upcoming period of change in governance. Several board members were coming to the end of their tenure, which created an opportunity to energise and diversify the makeup of the board, and to consider a renewal of policies, and alignment with shifting expectations of NIDA and their community.
> THE APPROACH
Positive Solutions consulted with the CEO and board members, and facilitated a self-assessment survey based on a detailed online tool which has evolved through a large number of our board and governance reviews for non-profit organisations.
We undertook a review of existing documentation, and provided a status report on the organisation’s governance processes along with a list of recommendations for implementation. A debrief workshop was held with the board, leading to a confirmed Action Plan.
> THE BRIEF
Positive Solutions was engaged to conduct a Board Review, with special focus on a recruitment process for prospective members that would support the board’s stated intentions, and future directions. This supported goals stated in the NIDA Board Principles, which were released during the review process, and committed to supporting First Nations changemaking.
> THE RESULTS
A findings report and scheduled action plan was generated for board consideration and the recommendations were adopted for implementation. These emphasised succession planning and recruitment processes for both the CEO and board, with diversity in mind. The subsequent Action Plan agreed with the Board also specified enhancements in internal and external communications and identified a number of policies and plans which would strengthen Board and organisational processes. Positive Solutions was engaged to conduct a second board review in 2022.
