This topic discusses how your group can plan actionable steps for your governance journey. We discuss how to develop a governance action plan and why it’s useful. This topic matches ‘Plan for the future’ in our Governance Self-assessment Tool. We recommend that you do activity 7.1 in the tool.

Your governance action plan

In the ‘Assess your governance’ section, we have explored:

• where your group has come from
• your values, purpose and vision
• your internal culture
• what assets you have
• what you want for your governance in the future.

The next step involves identifying how you can move forward on your governance journey. To progress, it may be useful for your group to develop a governance action plan.

A governance action plan summarises what should happen for your group to build or improve your governance. You can use this plan to guide your future actions and get things done.

Answering these questions will help you develop your own governance action plan:

What are your goals?

These are the specific objectives or aims you want to achieve. Your goals should align with the vision and purpose of your governance. These goals should be small, simple and realistic. Examples of short-term goals include:

• Develop a communication strategy to inform members about a specific governance activity, service or program.
• Create a mentorship program to engage young people in your governance.
• Improve processes and rules for effective meetings.

What actions will you take?

These are the activities that the people in your group need to take to achieve your goals. Examples of these activities include:

• Engage in consultation with your members.
• Seek opportunities to partner or collaborate with an external stakeholder.
• Review existing governance documents.

Who will be involved?

Specify who is responsible for doing the actions. Also consider who the actions will benefit.

What assets will you use?

Consider what resources you need to do the actions.

When will you achieve it?

Set a timeframe for achieving your goals.