Becoming a trustee can be a great opportunity for specialists in their field to support an organisation that is close to their heart, all whilst driving their own personal and professional development by learning from a diverse range of board members.
But what does this voluntary role involve?
The Role of a Trustee
Charity boards are made up of trustees who make decisions about strategic direction and take on the legal responsibility for the charity’s actions.
Trustees are part of the governing body, they have a large role in shaping the direction and impact of the charity directly, making it a powerful way to contribute. They make decisions collectively as a board, they may discuss key issues within the sector, or make decisions on matters such as budgets, fundraising strategies, and large-scale projects.
Anyone with expertise in a specific area can be very valuable for a charity board, but this isn’t a necessity! You just need to be able to bring a fresh perspective and have the drive to help the charity in its work.
A trustee is responsible for the charity’s overall governance, and ensuring a charity operates within the law. They work closely with the CEO to provide support, guidance, and oversight to ensure effective management and achievable objectives. A trustee should have a total understanding of the charity’s interests, specialities, and capabilities in order to provide the best guidance.
Trustees are accountable not only to the charity’s donors, but also to its beneficiaries and the public. They must ensure a positive reputation for the organisation, and ensure it operates transparently and with integrity.
Trustees also have their own legal responsibilities under charity law. They have an obligation to ‘act with reasonable care and skill’, ensure that any conflicts of interest are dealt with, and ensure that resources are managed responsibly.
Typically, trustees will meet every few months to review the work of the charity and make any necessary changes, but between meetings it is important they keep up to date with the organisation’s activities, challenges, and performance to inform their decisions and prompt discussion around how to bolster growth and spur improvement.
Charity Board Makeup
The makeup of the board should be designed to support effective discussions, debate, and decision-making. This means it must have a diverse range of backgrounds, skillsets, knowledge, and experience to provide varied perspectives and avoid all members thinking the same way.
More individuals who can challenge ways of thinking will provide a consultative approach, a range of new viewpoints, and be of benefit to the charity.
The chair leads the board of trustees and is often supported by honorary officers like a vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer.
Trustees may be selected due to their specialist skills and experience, or they may already have a personal connection to the charity. Both options are useful as specialist skills add to the board’s overall expertise, and those who are already connected to the charity will bring knowledge of the direct impact of the charity’s work and decisions.
Having someone on the board with a good amount of social capital or influence in certain sectors can help push charity messages and generate more support.
Trustees bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the role, including financial management, legal expertise, marketing, and much more! This diversity of skills helps to ensure that the charity is led by a well-rounded and effective board who can advise on whatever is needed.
Benefits Of Becoming a Trustee
So why should you become a trustee?
Aside from the obvious benefit of your own ideas and knowledge being used to make a real difference in people’s lives, being a trustee can offer valuable leadership experience, a broader professional network, and the opportunity to learn from the expertise of other highly skilled board members.
Many charities try to make the trustee role as easy as possible for volunteers, offering flexible arrangements for board meetings and committee involvement, the ability to claim back expenses such as travel or childcare, and the knowledge and understanding that trustees have other commitments to balance alongside their charitable responsibilities.
Becoming a trustee and using your skillset and experience gives you the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the organisation you choose, continue your own development, improve your network, and offer invaluable support to an organisation that truly needs it.
