Leadership in a branch involves showing the way and empowering others to pursue it. It can also involve creating an enabling environment for individuals to find the way themselves. The primary responsibility for branch development lies with the leadership of each branch.

The level of diversity within a branch, including in its decision making bodies, directly impacts the ability of the branch to work with those that are most in need of support.

The ability of branch leaders to build a culture of trust, safety, and integrity has a bearing on how a branch is experienced and perceived.

Additionally, the knowledge and capacities to lead, within the frames established by the Movement, are also important for protecting the humanitarian reputation of each branch and ensuring continued access to vulnerable and conflict affected communities.

Tips and ideas

Some of the ways in which National Societies are developing branch leaders include:

Inducting leaders into the Movement and explaining their roles in leading and developing their branches.
Focusing on inspiring and empowering

Inspiring and empowering volunteers, members and employees enables branches to create and organise activities in partnership with local communities.

Encouraging leaders to take ownership of the development of their branch
Supporting leaders to develop critical external relationships.
Bringing branch leaders together to share their fears, successes, challenges and solutions.
Reflecting and learning

Experience does not guarantee learning. To make the most of experience, most of us need assistance (from an elder, a mentor or coach) with this reflective process in order to learn effectively.

The commitment of the (branch) leadership is one of the very glaring factors. A lot of committed lea...

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The commitment of the (branch) leadership is one of the very glaring factors. A lot of committed leaders at the grassroots level that can bring in a lot of support from the community and the corporate sector… The key factors in here would be the strong and visionary leadership. And doing a lot of good planning.

I have been growing through my volunteering and then growing into (branch) leadership role. When you...

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I have been growing through my volunteering and then growing into (branch) leadership role. When you become a leader you realise that you need to take responsibility when you take some challenge. Having responsibility and making decisions but you need to be a team leader with the help of your team to overcome challenges.