Abstract
Improvements in governance and management are vital to the continued success of third sector organisations. This study investigated the governance and executive management in two case study organisations in the disability sector in Australia. The findings highlight the importance of the relationship between the board and the chief executive officer (CEO). The board's role is to make strategic choices about the governance structure for the organisation, including the manner of agency placed on the CEO. The benefits and risks of hourglass-shaped or accessible board-staff communication are examined in this context.