I recently realised that I have been quietly blogging for twelve years.  So here are a few of my most popular and relevant posts.

Some useful tools:

• We’ve all been in meetings where someone won’t shut up.   Equity of voice and why it matters (3 minute read) is still a popular blog years later, and provides a simple, practical formula for ensuring everyone contributes fairly.
• Looking for governance guidance?  Ground rules for good governance (5 minute read) suggests a set of commitments for boards to work together well, while a useful tool for board self assessments (4 minute read) includes my easy template for board members to assess themselves and each other.   And, if you are on the board of a family philanthropy, ideas for building great governance in a family foundation (a 4 minute read summarising a research report I was commissioned to write) has helpful tips for family philanthropy governance.
• Hate those legalistic, one-sided funding agreements that non-profits are often forced to sign before a grant is given?  Reinventing the humble funding agreement (5 minute read) provides a template for a simple agreement focusing on funding in the context of a two-way, mutually-beneficial relationship. (And yes, this has been vetted by a lawyer!)

On Te Tiriti o Waitangi and being Pākehā:

• Why Te Tiriti is important to me – in seven sentences (3 minute read) is a quick, simple and personal view of Te Tiriti of Waitangi and what our precious founding document is all about.  It is also my most popular blog of the last two years.
• What does it mean to be a good Pākehā / Tangata Tiriti?  Hmm, tricky.  But I have learned some things not to do.  Missteps and learnings for supporting Māori aspirations (5 minute read) is about the many mistakes I have made.  Or you can go directly to the full article in e-tangata: ‘Dial a Māori’ and other mistakes Pākehā make.
• What does the tino rangatiratanga promised in Te Tiriti look like in practice? A glimpse of mana motuhake (5 minute read) is my Pākehā observations of an inspiring day up near East Cape.

On Philanthropy and Community:

• It can be tricky getting our heads around who provides funding in Aotearoa NZ and how it all works.  A brief guide to the philanthropic sector and grant-seeking in Aotearoa NZ (7 minute read) provides an overview of the funding, funders, and successful fund-seeking.
• Where does wealth come from, and where should philanthropy focus?  Good philanthropy involves looking wealth squarely in the eyes (6 minute read) argues for returning wealth to its source through funding indigenous, environmental and equity causes.
• How can funders build robust processes for deciding and monitoring funding, while ensuring processes are quick and easy for organisations needing funding?  Funding Burden – what it is, why it matters and how to lighten the load (6 minute read) is my practical guide for finding the sweet spot.

Other topics:

• There’s nothing like a major accident for focusing on what really matters.  On being near death (5 minute read) was written after routine surgery for a broken ankle went wrong and I spent time in a coma in ICU.
• Is it human nature to be aggressive and out for number one?  Maybe, maybe not. Choosing caring and respect (5 minute read) explores so-called “human nature.”
• Finally, Worst road trip ever (4 minute read) is a just-for-fun holiday blog reminiscing about a student trip from Dunedin to Hawkes Bay.  Nothing profound about this one, but I like it anyway.

Enjoy and feel free to comment below on anything you found particularly relevant.  And click the subscribe button to receive more of my blogs, which come out every month or two.