Trustees so often provide the “lightbulb moments” that prove game changing for our charities - asking the critical “what if?” which makes a truly positive difference.
The role that trustees play should never be forgotten. In the family of volunteers who make the third sector tick, their time and input make the work that follows possible. Their dedication, expertise, and passion are what really drives the sector forward.
Strong trustees - those who care about their cause and offer real enthusiasm and expertise - are worth their weight in gold.
Make no mistake about it, the need for charities to have the right mix of skills and voices to inspire those lightbulb moments has never been more important, as the sector continues to navigate an increasing range of challenges and make the sometimes difficult decisions needed to secure the future.
That’s why we must always look after our trustees.
Challenges facing charity boards
Recent data from OSCR’s October Sector Overview Report shows there are an estimated 150,000 trustees in Scotland supporting nearly 25,000 charities.
Yet more are needed. And if charities are going to attract the new blood and fresh perspectives they so often struggle to secure around their top table, trustees and potential trustees need to know that they are not alone. Being a trustee is a team effort - and help is out there when you need it.
Long gone are the days when trustees were simply plucked from the great and good to add stature to a cause. Yes, there’s often still a case for that, but only if they add value. At this time of challenge and change we need enterprising and effective board members to shape a successful future.
Your boardroom, whether virtual or physical, needs a variety of voices, not just individuals who are ingrained in the purpose of your cause, but those who offer insight and inspire innovation in certain areas, from finances and fundraising to marketing and digital strategy. There is no “one-size-fits-all model” of what makes a trustee.
But all trustees need to be supported so that they can best support us.
Support through training and development
Trustees can often feel that, for all the praise charities receive, they themselves are under fire – whether for not being diverse enough, young enough, or savvy enough about the latest risks facing their charities. There’s also a risk that other people are deterred from becoming trustees by the fear of what it involves. One effective way to tackle both issues is to provide trustees with targeted training.
The need to support trustees is also vital for charities trying to diversify their boards. Younger trustees, for example, bring valuable insights for engaging new supporters, generating fresh ideas and harnessing the power of digital. But like all trustees, they still need to understand their legal and governance responsibilities.
We can dispel the myths of being a trustee and avoid problems by equipping them with knowledge about their financial responsibilities and duties, risk management and reporting, handling disputes and embedding effective decision making.
Terrific trustees have never been needed more. A little time on training can make all the difference to ensure our charities have the skills not only to survive, but thrive. By investing in their development, we can ensure that they are well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead.
After all, an investment in our trustees is an investment in the future of the charity sector itself.
Connor Barnes, Solicitor
Published 6 November 2024
Lindsays provides trustee training to charities of all sizes. If you would like information about training tailored to suit your organisation’s needs, simply give us a call.
