Serving as a trustee on the governing board of a voluntary sector organisation offers the opportunity to contribute skills, experience, wisdom and knowledge to an organisation carrying out vital services for society. Because the board carries the ultimate responsibility for an organisation’s policies, projects and activities, its performance has a profound impact on the organisation’s ability to successfully fulfill its mission. For this reason, trustees and the organisations they govern are increasingly seeking ways to improve board effectiveness as a means of improving the overall performance of the organisation.