Author
Nick Smith
Nick Smith is a consultant specializing in governance
25 pieces
Newest first, since August 2017 · page 1 of 2
· SUs
Turning back the clock on external trustees shows lay members need induction too
Time has been kind to the idea of lay trustees on SU boards. Nick Smith argues it’s now time to give them the breadth to be full team members
· SUs
Swap your new notebook for new behaviours
Nick Smith writes up their new year’s resolutions starting with the updated charity governance code and its new focus on behaviours.
· SUs
Things election candidates and voters should know but don’t know to ask
Nick Smith reflects on a summer of training student leaders and looks ahead to election season with ways to make the experience of prospective candidates smoother.
· SUs · Members
Webinar: Super student meetings
· SUs
Making (all) student members meetings work
Nick Smith makes the case for reviving student members meetings as a vital democratic tool in students’ unions – arguing that when they’re done right, they can create accountability, understanding and genuine engagement
· SUs
How to keep democracy alive in SUs
Nick Smith reflects on Membership Services Conference and the various threats that might be emerging to SU democracy and the ways to keep it alive.
· SUs
Mixed category trustee boards aren’t working. Here’s what would
SU governance expert Nick Smith takes us back to Britain’s answer to Disneyland to learn lessons about trustee boards
· SUs
Transition, learn and adapt – being successful on the other side for ex-SU officers
In the final part of the series, Nick Smith catches up with our cohort of ex-officers to determine key lessons both for current officers and those that are moving to university employment
· SUs
Surviving, thriving and letting go: How to be an ex-SU officer
Back in September we first met a group of ex SU officers starting new university roles – and we caught up with them a few months later. Our cohort of past SU officers have now had over 9 months in their current roles as
· SUs
What happens when SU officer poachers become university gamekeepers?
Nick Smith catches up with a group of officers who went to the “dark side” when leaving their roles in their SU
· SUs · Members
Amazing AGMs
With Livia Scott
· SUs
What happens when sabbs become university staff?
Nick Smith is following four ex sabbs as they make the transition to university staff member. Here’s what he’s found so far
· SUs
Hats off to new approaches
Nick Smith re-evaluates a classic SU training exercise to see if it still works in 2023
· SUs
On elections, have we forgotten how to innovate?
Nick Smith explores the outer realms of possibility when it comes to making changes to SU elections
· SUs
It’s time for officers to think about the future
Nick Smith introduces a new guide to delivering a great handover
· SUs
How to ensure your AGM is a great meeting
SU governance expert Nick Smith has advice on making your SU annual meeting more rewarding and successful
· SUs
Who is going to be your trustee chair when the role regenerates?
Nick Smith reflects on the ongoing debate about who should be the board chair in an SU – and what their role should be
· SUs
It’s not too late for lame ducks to leave a legacy
Nick Smith says that outgoing officers can advantage next year’s students by applying their knowledge and political leverage in the final few months of office
· SUs
How to improve accountability in your students’ union and make it more democratic
Nick Smith has thoughts on improving student access to structures and systems in students’ unions
· SUs
Why do we waste the talent that we grow?
Wednesday morning represents one of the highlights of my week because it is when I have my veg box delivered. Whilst its contents can lead to a mild form of tyranny over the next 7 days (I would love Wonkhe readers’ sugg