INSTRUMENTS OF GOVERNMENT - VOLUNTARY SECTOR BOARDS IN A CHANGING PUBLIC-POLICY ENVIRONMENT

This article explores how recent changes in public policies have been experienced by the governing boards of voluntary agencies. It looks at impacts on the way boards perform their main functions and examines h ow board members perceive changes in social welfare policy such as mov es towards contracting, competition and community care. Public policy implementation processes are perceived as problematic when they threat en the essentially voluntary and independent nature of the board role. Thus over-zealous direction, control or monitoring of voluntary agenc ies' boards may have the perverse effect of discouraging the impulse t o be an 'active citizen'.