Leadership in the Community Sector - Looking beyond the numbers

A recent report released by ACOSS (Australian Council of Social Service) - Reflecting gender diversity: an analysis of gender diversity in the leadership of the community sector - showed that the sector leads the way in workplace gender equity, with women in the sector make up 60 per cent of senior management and hold over 50 per cent of board director roles.

Looking beyond these numbers, the report details some interesting findings:

• The comparatively higher representation of women in senior roles is occurring mainly in smaller organisations
• Gender equity on boards does occur, but not until women make up 95% of the staff of the organisation
• High representation of women in the workforce does not automatically lead to equality of opportunity for women

Bickley Blog reader Anne, a member of the not for profit community, sent us in her views on the report:

"It was pleasing to note a recent report that found that the not for profit community welfare sector is a leader in promoting women to boards and senior management positions.  This is in contrast to other sectors where leadership positions for most women remain a distant reality.

As a long time worker in the not for profit community welfare sector I would have to comment that my experience is that organisations would run for years with women at the helm, often as volunteers.  As the organisation grew and became more significant senior roles would receive funding and would become attractive as a permanent position.  It was not unusual then, after the position was advertised, that a man would be appointed.  

I am aware that today many not for profit community welfare organsiations are still run on a voluntary basis by women.  These women manage budgets, co-ordinate services, roster volunteers and report to a Board of Management.  They often also act as the receptionist! They are unsung heroes.

It is to be hoped that there is a serious trend for women to be able to aspire to paid leadership roles in the not for profit sector.  This would, at one level pay tribute to all those women who over the years have undertaken those roles as volunteers.

It would also be interesting to know how many women on boards in the not for profit sector are receiving realistic sitting fees."

Thanks Anne, for your thoughts! We would love to hear from other readers on this - have you worked in the not for profit community? What are your experiences?  Are you one of the "unsung heroes" leading in a voluntary capacity?  Post on our facebook, tweet us on twitter or leave a comment below.

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