Leadership Excellence in Registered Charities

H. Clifford Chadderton, CC, O.Ont., OStJ, CLJ, CAE, DCL, LLD

CEO, The War Amps and Chair, The National Council of Veteran Associations
© Leader Quest Inc. and H. Clifford Chadderton

Recipients of the Pinnacle Award, given by the Canadian Society of Association Executives, are outstanding leaders in the not-for-profit sector. In this article, Leader Quest asked one of Canada’s top leaders in the charitable sector and a Pinnacle Award recipient to share his insights on what it takes to succeed.

Leadership excellence:  My experience has been one of providing leadership to one of Canada’s best known charitable organizations, The War Amputations of Canada.  The question is asked: What are the indicators of leadership excellence in a charity? In my opinion, the chief requirement in the leadership field for those holding positions of prominence in member-associations belonging to the Canadian Society of Association Executives would be a proven record in regard to public profile.

The public apparently will support (in fact, needs to see, if it is to support) a record of knowledge and information which would indicate to a “giving public” that the organization is well-founded.

Going along with this, of course, is the need to establish an enviable reputation.  This reputation should be well earned and should include honesty – honesty with regard to the public as well as honesty between individuals within an organization.

Another requirement would be a Board of Directors well known in the community and, in fact, across the country.  If public support is required, it would be necessary to have a Board of Directors which stands for integrity and which spells, in easily identified terms, the importance of honesty.

Teamwork:  I attempt to treat colleagues in the same manner in which I would expect to be treated.  When a situation arises, I take the time to become fully conversant on the subject.  I accomplish this by doing my own research and going to the meeting with an open mind.  This has always provided positive results.

I have learned over the years not to be judgmental, but to try to look into the mindset of people I am dealing with.

Qualities I admire are honesty, as I have mentioned before, and the ability to admit when one is wrong.

Published Material:  One of the pre-requisites in connection with leadership is an established record of publications.  Where the head of a charity, for example, can qualify as having been recognized by publishers (for example, Reader’s Digest), such would add to that person’s international reputation. 

Membership on Boards:  Another indication of the prominence of leadership is when a CEO, for example, is asked to participate in studies and/or become a member of a board or committee set up by the Government to deal with issues of the day in which the CEO has what is known as ‘standing.’

Post-Nominals:  A CEO or similar person having been awarded honourary degrees or given recognition (such as The Order of Canada) is certain to provide the type of recognition desired in an organization, which is an indication of his/her leadership.

General:  It stands to reason that a leader in business, industry or the professions adds to the importance of both the organization and of the individual responsible for its leadership.

Summary:  Without the attributes spelled out above, a charity cannot succeed for the simple reason that charitable giving is shared by literally thousands of public-spirited organizations operating for the benefit of Canadians at large.  Without community, regional and national recognition, a charity is bound to remain only as a local or, at best, a community organization.  We must strive for something a great deal more – namely, the charity and, in fact, the member of the Canadian Society of Association Executives must be able to hold its/their own with industry, government and other organizations seeking public support.