Could you be the next tenant voice on Ocean’s Board?
Is this Tenant Board Member Development Programme for you?
- No previous board, governance or committee experience is needed.
- Over a 12-month period attend training and observe Board and committee meetings
- Gain valuable skills in leadership, communication, decision-making and strategic thinking
- Prepare for future opportunities to become a Tenant Board Member
Most tenants and customers don’t imagine themselves sitting around a boardroom table helping to shape the future of their housing association.
In fact, many people assume you need years of experience, specialist qualifications or a career in business before you can even consider it.
The truth is, the most valuable voices in the room are those with lived experience.
That’s why Ocean Housing is launching a new Tenant Board Member Development Programme.
It’s designed to help you explore what board membership involves and develop the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to apply for future Board opportunities.
Ocean’s current Tenant Board Member will reach the end of their term next year, creating a future opportunity for another one of our tenant’s to join the Board.
Rather than expecting someone to step straight into the role, we wanted to create a pathway that gives tenants the chance to understand what’s involved before deciding whether it’s right for them.
Board membership comes with responsibility, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Board members help shape the organisation’s long-term direction, oversee performance, challenge decision-making and ensure Ocean remains focused on delivering for its customers and communities.
Members of our Together With Ocean Tenant Panel
So, what exactly is the programme?
The Tenant Board Member Development Programme is a year-long learning opportunity designed to help participants build their understanding of governance, leadership and decision-making.
Over 12 months, participants will gain an insight into how Ocean operates and how strategic decisions are made.
You’ll sit down with Ocean’s Executive Directors, learn about different parts of the business, complete governance-related training and observe Board and committee meetings in action.
You’ll get to see first-hand how complex issues are discussed, how decisions are reached and how Board members provide support, scrutiny and challenge.
Perhaps most importantly, you’ll have the time and space to ask questions, learn at your own pace and decide whether board membership is something you’d like to pursue in the future.
The programme has been designed to support future Tenant Board Members but the benefits extend far beyond the boardroom.
Participants will develop a range of valuable and transferable skills, including:
- Communication and influencing skills
- Leadership and confidence
- Strategic thinking
- Decision making
- Critical analysis
- Problem solving
- Understanding organisational governance
These are skills that can be applied across many areas of life, whether at work, in education, volunteering, community projects or other leadership roles.
Do I need previous experience?
No.
In fact, that’s the whole point.
The programme has been created for people who may never have considered becoming a Board member before.
You don’t need governance experience. You don’t need to have served on a committee. You don’t need specialist qualifications.
We’re looking for people who care about their community, want to make a positive difference and are willing to learn.
Your experience as a tenant is valuable in its own right.
We’re particularly interested in hearing from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The strongest Boards bring together a range of voices, and we want the programme to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities.
What commitment is involved?
If you enroll on the programme you can expect to commit around one day per month throughout the programme.
This will include online learning, workshops with senior leaders and attendance at Board and committee meetings.
Some months may require a little more time, particularly when shadowing committee meetings or taking part in additional learning opportunities, but we’ll do our best to make participation accessible and manageable alongside other commitments.
Our Housing & Communities Director and the Designate Chair of the Board meeting with our newest Board Members
Tenant involvement has always been important to Ocean, but meaningful involvement goes beyond surveys and consultations.
By supporting tenants to develop the skills and confidence needed to contribute at Board level, we’re investing in the future voices that will help shape our organisation for years to come.
If you’ve ever wondered how big decisions are made, wanted to make a difference or simply felt curious about what happens behind the scenes, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.