Volunteer led, responsibly governed
Serve the City mobilises volunteers to support people and communities experiencing marginalisation and vulnerability.
Its model places volunteering at the heart of the organisation, making governance particularly important in providing continuity, accountability and clear responsibility.
Serve the City was recognised through the Good Governance Awards in 2020, demonstrating that strong governance is achievable within a volunteer led organisation.
Governance beyond organisational size
Good governance does not depend on having a large executive team or extensive organisational resources.
For volunteer led organisations, clear structures can be particularly valuable. They help establish who is responsible for decisions, how resources are managed and how continuity is maintained as volunteers join and leave.
They also help ensure that the organisation’s purpose remains central to its activities as it responds to changing community needs.
Creating a foundation for volunteering
Serve the City’s story demonstrates that governance and volunteering are not separate concerns. Strong governance creates the framework within which volunteers can contribute effectively while ensuring that responsibility and accountability remain clear.
Its recognition through the Good Governance Awards highlights the importance of those foundations in organisations where people freely give their time to support others.