Feedback from organisations posting board vacancies 

Women on Boards is keen to evaluate the effectiveness of its free offer to organisations to Register a Director Vacancy from the perspective of the 'poster' and the applicant. The following feedback has been sent to WOB usually following a successful appointment.

Some successful WOBers who acheive board positions either through a WOB vacancy or due to a WOB inspired process or contact are at: http://www.womenonboards.org.au/boardroom/onboard.htm

Rural Health West

Rural Health West recently posted a Board vacancy on the WOB website and you subsequently sent me an email confirming the posting and requesting feedback. 

Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to be able to specifically target the female gender, and at no cost.  These were significant issues for Rural Health West, as a NFP organisation that is actively trying to achieve female presence on its Board of Directors.

At the close of the advertising period, Rural Health West received six (6) applications, at least four (4) of which were as a result of the WOB website posting; a 66% success rate!  The quality of the candidates is high, and the selection process has commenced.

Thank you again for the opportunity to utilise Women on Boards, and your interest in the process.
 
John Byrne
Executive Support Officer, Rural Health West

World Youth International

I was very impressed with the standard and quality of the persons that applied for a vacancy that has only recently been filled.
I am looking forward to seeing if we can attract an excellent chairperson this time around. Thanks again for all your assistance .

Chairman World Youth International
www.worldyouth.org.au

Citrus Australia

Brian Ramsay managed the selection process for Citrus Australia and sent this email to WOB.

‘I thought I would get back to you on what actually happened…. We had lots of interest and a good number of applications from women who mentioned WOB as the source. Overall, I was impressed with the way WOB was able to quickly and effectively promote the positions that were available. I was also impressed with the quality of those candidates who mentioned they are part of WOB.

The end result was that the new board of seven had two directors from the previous board appointed and five new directors. The board includes four men and three women.  Of the women appointed one had identified WOB as the source for becoming aware of the position and another advised that she became aware via a friend who is part of WOB.

The new board and organization is in its first week of operation. Selecting people for boards is not my core business, but I am promoting WOB to women of talent I come across in my management consulting work. Again, thanks for your help in promoting the positions with your network. Now it’s up to the new board to perform… Regards, Brian Ramsay’

Athletics Queensland

David Keating, Chairman Athletics Queensland wrote "I am pleased to advise that we did get a very strong candidate from posting a Director's position with you. We have now offered the directorship and the nominee has accepted."   The successful WOBer is  Nicole Davis, Manager Marketing and Communications for Thiess Services.

CMA Victoria

Lillian Burton emailed "You may recall I previously submitted two on-line posts about vacancies for Chairperson positions on Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and the Victorian Catchment Management Council (VCMC). Thanks for sending the email alert - it generated quite a few phone calls and a couple of expressions of interest for the Chairperson roles which was pleasing.

We are now seeking expressions of interest for board members for the CMAs and VCMC. I have submitted two on line requests today for the CMAs and the VCMC. Regards, and thanks Lillian Burton, Senior Policy Officer, Catchment Governance, Natural Resources Division, Department of Sustainability and Environment."

Australia Business Arts Foundation

We have had a good success rate through using Women on Boards and intend to continue doing so. Since we have started using the service we have placed two people, Sue Pelka with Chamber Made Opera and Wendy Smith with the Australian Boys Choir.

I have had several expressions of interest from other WOBers about our arts opportunities, but some people are slow at returning their details and registrations. I am still waiting on about four people to provide their resume details so we can put them to our arts organisations. We have one person still in consideration, and one of our organisations more clearly articulated what they were looking for after meeting with another potential candidate.

We have found the experience most useful and the calibre of people showing interest to be extremely high. Actual number of responses has been 11 (including one referred through by a WOBer)

Youth Enterprise Trust

We got two respondents from WoB. One was appointed,  I think your service is great.

Aftercare

The service has been great. We have gained a person for our Board with extensive HR experience and people skills. I have found your service provides a refreshing opportunity for NGOs to fill Board vacancies.

Kids Under Cover

We had three responses. No-one appointed as yet, we are still in discussions with one of the respondents No suggestions for improvements

Cuesuper

The advertisement worked very well. In fact we were overwhelmed by the quality of the applicants and interest in our board. I guess this underpins the reason why your organisation is so important. We had 6 formal applicants for the position and 3 other enquiries that did not translate to formal applications. Unfortunately we have not proceeded with the position at this stage because of possible merger talks and a couple of other issues. We however have short listed 2 applicants and advised them that we would like to progress their interest further once the above mentioned issues are resolved.