View source for Grants:APG/FDC recommendations/2012-2013 round2

=== Good governance and effective leadership ===
The key driver for organizational and programmatic effectiveness currently seems to be strategic leadership and good governance practices, whether for staffed organizations or primarily volunteer-run entities. The movement needs to learn from the different models of leadership and governance, and share both successes and challenges. The FDC does not see good governance as simply being about accountability and compliance, but as a significant condition for successful outcomes and impact. In particular, the rules of avoiding conflicts of interest, professional staff recruitment, and community ethics standards are important.

A number of organizations are currently in transition - whether they are recovering from crises, or where they are transitioning from purely volunteer-run organizations to staff-supported organizations. The FDC is glad to see entities working through these issues, and notes that it is important for all organizations to monitor their governance standards, and to improve them wherever possible. We encourage entities to make use of external advice when dealing with transition and crisis, where appropriate, and also to make use of existing experiences, learning, and good practices within the movement.

We appreciate that some entities are developing [[Strategy|strategic plans]], and that there has been an increase in sharing these in the Wikimedia Conference 2013. We encourage entities to develop strategic plans with community involvement and inputs, and consider the movement’s strategic priorities. We expect entities to align their annual plans and FDC proposals with their strategic plans unless there is a rationale for a change in direction. 
 
We also note that there are different paths to growth and alternatives to institutionalization and professionalization, and organizations should continue to be creative and nimble.