It is important to recognise the value of trusteeship. Trustees are in high demand with up to 50 per cent of charities currently having vacancies on their boards and with charities facing more complex challenges. It is crucial that charities have and maintain a strong board of trustees to continue to run smoothly and contribute to their chosen causes.
What is a trustee?
Trustees are people who share ultimate responsibility for governing a charity and directing how it is managed and run. Trustees are drawn from all walks of life. Many work full time while fulfilling their trustee duties and others can be self-employed and can juggle the time pressures of trusteeship effectively. Trustees do have specific legal responsibilities and duties to adhere to, which they are personally liable for. Notwithstanding theses duties there are many reasons why you should become a trustee.
1. You want to make a contribution to a good cause
Becoming a trustee is no doubt one of the most powerful ways to help a cause that you are passionate about. As a trustee, you will have a role in the governance of a charity, by ensuring that the organisation continues to carry out its purposes for the public benefit and by ensuring that it adheres closely to its mission and works in the interests of its beneficiaries. You will be a big part in helping the charity to continue to function and benefit worthy causes.
2. You will gain valuable experience and skills
Being a trustee is a great experience and definitely something worth putting on your CV. Your new role on the Board will expose you to new situations and challenges and can test your leadership and managerial skills in a different context. The constant exposure to critical thinking and problem-solving issues will hone those skills
The strategic experience you gain in your role can often be hard to come by in the workplace and often takes many years to be in such a position that requires strategic oversight. Trusteeship gives you a head start in this and can provide a platform for successful promotions and a boost to your career prospects.
3. You will enhance your professional network
The diverse range of professions and experiences that trustees have means that by being part of that community and in an executive role you will get exposure to various professional networks. These networks may be useful when called upon in the future and ultimately trusteeship is a nice way to boost your LinkedIn profile!
4. You want to be part of a community
When you become a trustee you will instantly become part of a community, not just in terms of the members of the board that you will meet but also in terms of the wider trustee community. You will often meet other trustees from charities very different to yours that may have encountered similar problems to you along the way and you may have lots to learn from each other.
Becoming a trustee is a great way of engaging in the charity sector. It is a role that will allow you to give back to your selected cause in more ways than one. Though often challenging it is very rewarding and adventurous and allows for a wealth of personal and professional development of skills and connections which will benefit your later career.