Do you want to make a positive impact in your community? Would you like to contribute your skills and expertise to a cause? It might be the perfect opportunity for you to become a charity trustee!
Charity trustees play a key role in guiding and shaping a charity's direction, helping it accomplish its mission and make a difference.
Trustee: what is it?
Charity trustees volunteer their time and expertise to serve on the board of a charity. The trustees ensure the charity operates according to its objectives, legal requirements, and best practices. They ensure resources are used effectively and that the charity is accountable to its stakeholders. The trustee board provides leadership, oversight, and guidance.
What’s it like to be a charity trustee?
By becoming a charity trustee, you’ll directly contribute to a charity’s success. By contributing your skills, knowledge, and experience, you can help shape the charity’s strategy, programmes, and policies.
Being a charity trustee is a fantastic way to grow professionally and personally. You’ll learn about governance, leadership, strategic planning, and financial management. You’ll learn new skills, expand your network, and get a fresh perspective on the sector and the organisation.
You’ll meet many like-minded people who share your passion for social change when you join a board. You’ll get to work with professionals from all walks of life, forming valuable connections that can lead you to new opportunities.
The trustee role provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the charity sector. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of challenges, opportunities, and best practices in areas such as fundraising, advocacy, programme delivery, and impact measurement.
Trustees are required to attend board meetings and read the board papers prepared by the executive team beforehand.
What’s the process for becoming a charity trustee?
Identify causes you care about and consider the things that matter to you. To find the right fit, research charities working in those areas.
Research and due diligence
Look up the websites and online resources of charities you’re interested in. Find out their mission, what they do, how they’re governed, and how they’re doing. For official information on registered charities in the UK, check out the Charity Commission (the regulator of the sector in England and Wales) website and search the charity there. Every charity must publish its accounts every year, and the documents are available to anyone who wants to read them.
Don’t hesitate to contact charities directly if you’re interested in becoming a trustee. Attend their events or open meetings to get a sense of their work and meet the existing board members.
Assess your skills and experience
Think about the skills, knowledge, and experience you can bring. Charities need a lot of skills, from finance to law to marketing to fundraising to IT to HR. Make sure your expertise matches the charity’s needs.
Some organisations might also ask for lived experience in the cause they are committed to.
Once you’ve done your research and due diligence, it’s time to find a job. You can register with ACEVO jobs, Getting on Board, or Reach Volunteering. You will have to apply and interview to be a trustee, just like you would do for a regular role.
Depending on the organisation, you might need to submit your CV, fill out an application form, or attend an interview. Put your passion, commitment, and relevant skills on display.
Induction and training
You’ll get an induction to familiarise yourself with the charity’s policies, procedures, and responsibilities. Your effectiveness as a trustee can also be enhanced by ongoing training and support.
Become a charity trustee and make a difference
Being a charity trustee is a rewarding experience that lets you contribute your time, skills, and passion to a cause that matters to you.
You can make a difference by joining a charity board.
