For Trustees’ Week 2024 we spoke to Winnie Baffoe, Community Southwark’s incoming Chair of Trustees. With a wealth of experience in the sector, she is replacing the amazing Nicki Howard who has given over a decade of her time as a trustee to Community Southwark.
Read Winnie’s reflections on her journey to becoming Chair.
“Stepping up to the role of Chair has ushered moments of apprehension; simply charting the evolution of Community Southwark under Nicky’s cool precision to problem solving and Anood’s dynamic management, it is hard to see my election as other than that of an enthusiastic apprentice, with much to learn about the technicalities required in the performance of the Chair’s responsibilities.
Fortunately, in understanding my vocation, I believe my election is one that considers the representation of the VCS; an eco-system of organisations set up with the common goal of providing community benefit.
Driven to improve human condition, despite operating in sombre environments, lowly paid or unremunerated and often working with a level of financial uncertainty most private or state organisations would find beyond risky.
Consequently, I recognise that it is not rare Black Swan events alone that could harm VCS organisations, but our regular White Swans, such as the lack of access or cost of premises, utilities, human resource and similar core costs. In addition, a silent cost which goes unmeasured, the burnout of staff.
In drawing from my experience of working with and within the community of VCS, my leadership will be to focus on building upon the State of the Sector Report and as my predecessor, help to build the foundations to de risk.
My focus will be to make sustainable this dynamic ecosystem of care and compassion, through strategic development and cohesive engagement.”
A heartfelt thank you to Winnie, Nicki and all of our Trustees for their support. Make sure to join us at our AGM to welcome Winnie and thank Nicki.
