Digital delights ripe for the picking

Not really! But we can help make sure your organisation is up-to-date and ready for whatever the future may hold. Foresight and Futureproofing is the SCVO Information Service event at the Gathering on Thursday 18 February. Looking at topics as diverse as pensions, conflicts of interest, data protection and the new SORP, there should be something for everyone!For One really interesting topic we’ll be examining is the opportunities, threats and potential of digital governance. I’ve already covered the advantages of holding ‘virtual’ meetings in an earlier blog, where I emphasised the need to include in you constitution how such meetings will be conducted. The explosion of digital means that there are so many new ways of working, and trustees need to ensure that their governance up-to-date. The publication ‘Wired to Govern: A trustee’s handbook for the digital revolution’ from the law firm Bates Wells Braithwaite suggests that ‘the walls of the boardroom are falling’. It covers video conferencing, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, explaining how these platforms mean that trustees have to think strategically about how their organisation can harness technology to its advantage. But trustees also need to assess and manage the potential risks. Cyber fraud, loss of personal data, and reputational damage from social media misadventures regularly hit the headlines. So ask yourself, what would your organisation do in a digital crisis? The latest statistics from OSCR show that only 41% of charities in Scotland have a web address, but this doesn’t mean the other 59% don’t have an online presence. Many will be active on social media, which can help widen internal democracy and increase engagement with donors and beneficiaries. As more of your staff have the opportunity to talk about your organisation to anyone online, you need to look at your policies and procedures with regard to social media, email and internet use. ‘Wired to Govern’ a social media policy template and a useful checklist for digital governance. One note of caution for all: whether campaigning or consulting, you must not stray into party politics. This is important when you remember that it’s your trustees who are ultimately responsible for your organisation’s published output. So come along and join us at the Gathering. We can’t read your palm and won’t be gazing into any crystal balls, but we can offer a helping hand into the digital age.