By Claire Maxwell, GRLI Board Chair
Expressions of interest and nominations due by 10 May 2021
Here in the UK Spring has arrived, bringing with it a spirit of renewal and resurgence, colour has returned to the landscape and, in the far North of England, the briefest, most welcome hint of warmth is in the air. Whilst it must be acknowledged that not all Partners are experiencing this particular seasonal change, all of us are on the cusp of moving into a different landscape, experiencing the natural, rhythmical shifts of energy, of light and shade.
This sense of being connected through nature, through our shared experiences of living in uncertain times, chimes with the message the GRLI has been honing for over twenty years, that of being connected to one’s own self, to others in meaningful relationships and to the whole system is a prerequisite for making any change a reality, particularly large scale systemic change. Over the last year, we have been co-creating opportunities for us all to connect and collaborate , intent on ensuring we do not let our experience of whole scale disruption slip through our fingers, rather we build on the seismic shifts and shakes that the pandemic has wrought, knowing only too well this is a dress rehearsal for the next production.
Throughout this time, the Board and the Guardians of the GRLI have been holding firm to the spirit of inquiry, working out together how to pause plans that are no longer immediately relevant and, at the same time, how to develop, co-create and take advantage of the emergent opportunities and possibilities that are arising in the moment. Whilst building on the past, we have looked to the future, towards the strategic vision of 2030 and recognised, without hubris, that the partnership that is the GRLI, our intentions, our values and principles, our very way of operating — peer driven, resource light, inquiry led — is even more relevant to our current climate than ever before
It is therefore from a position of possibility and strength that we look to renew and rejuvenate our Governance at both Board and Guardian levels. Afterall a key pathway of our work is taking care of the GRLI vehicle through exemplary governance and financial management of the Foundation by the Board and stewardship of our inquiry as held by the Guardians. You will have read the very welcome news that the President of oikos International, a student-led non profit organisation for sustainability in economics and management will be joining the Board in June. Sophie Charrois has committed to developing a ‘carousel’ of connection to ensure we can hear, without interruption, the voice of the ‘now generation’ and we have agreed to further broaden the scope of our Board to include other currently under represented voices, ensuring an even greater diversity of contribution.
Over the next twelve months, the Board will be working with challenging, necessary and exciting questions as we shape and influence the direction of travel of the GRLI, building on a firm, relational foundation that embraces and replenishes the energy of an increasing community of Partners and Associates. On behalf of the Board and the Guardians, I would like to invite you, a much valued partner of the GRLI, to consider joining in that journey by contributing to governance for the future.
To assist you in understanding more about what these roles entail, please see two living documents, the Governance Framework and Guardian Group Terms of Reference, are designed to assist the Board and Guardian group (as Council representatives) in their governing role. These are updated on an ongoing basis as our work and role evolves. They represent the GRLI’s statement of its position on corporate governance at any point in time. In terms of Guardian applications it will also be useful to see the recent blog highlighting what lies ahead for the Guardian group.
We welcome expressions of interest/nominations to be submitted by 10 May 2021 using the online application for consideration by the current Board at its next meeting on 23 June 2021. New board members will assume duties on 9 September 2021.
John North, GRLI Executive Director; Vanessa Duckenfield, Chair of the Guardians; and myself look forward to hearing from you. Please contact John at john.north@grli.org to learn more.
Warm regards,
Claire Maxwell
Chair: GRLI Foundation
