GVO - The Basics for Governors

The GVO will become your 'one stop shop' for all the documents, policies, meetings, discussions, tasks that you need to know about as a Governor. You will be able to read documents, add your comments/questions, mark your approval and download all the meeting papers in one PDF file.

To get the most from your GVO you (and the other Governors/Trustees on the board) should agree a 'protocol' about how you will use it. The protocol will include things like:-

• How often you will look at the GVO (suggest 2-3 times/week and when you receive a notification email - all emails come from noreply@mg.thegvoffice.com - so make sure this email address is not blocked)
• How you will use the Share/Notify function (only send notifications to people who need to know)
• Make sure you know how to find the meeting papers for meetings using either the calendar or the meetings folder
• Agree to look through the weekly newsletter and act upon items that are due or allocated to you
• Agree how you will use the comments function (to ask/answer questions) - these are stored as 'evidence'
• Use the Approve feature to 'approve' or 'accept' important documents.
• To spend time in the GVO so you are confident about how to use it (use the help function and support videos) - call the support desk if you are unsure
• If adding files (or other documents) to the GVO then put them in the correct folder location and give them a meaningful title (often this is done by the clerk but also by the chair and Headteacher)
• Add your 'Skills' (for the Skills Audit)
• Update your 'Register of Interests'
• Update your contact details (and email address if it changes)

Some Governing boards allocate a short agenda item at each full meeting to discuss the use of the GVO. As you become more confident you will find there are lots of ways it can help.

If you, or your board of Governors need additional help then contact the GVO Support team at support@thegvoffice.com or call 01273 921066