From local groups to national organisations, the third sector needs trustees with digital knowledge.
Over the past two years, we’ve all made more use of digital technologies to get things done. This includes the third sector. Over four out of five (81%) charities and voluntary sector organisations changed the way they use digital technology as a result of Covid, states research by NCVO.
One consequence of this is that charities need staff with digital skills, covering anything from marketing and fundraising to online security. In the NCVO survey, 73% of respondents said the level of digital skills required by staff and volunteers had increased.
In tandem, charities also need trustees with digital skills. Without having digital expertise on their boards, they may:
- Miss out on the opportunities that digital offer.
- Underestimate risks around, for example, cybersecurity – or the lack of it.
Filling digital gaps
Some charities are approaching the issue by bringing on board a ‘digital trustee’ – accepting that some of their longer-standing trustees may be reluctant to embrace this area. Others are taking a hybrid approach, both recruiting trustees with digital perspectives and providing training on digital issues to other trustees.
Either way, if you have any digital skills, now could be the time to deploy them for a good cause.
Part of a wider issue
It’s important for charities and charity trustees to recognise that upping their digital awareness is part of a wider picture around skills and diversity.
Digital skills gaps on their boards may result from trustees typically being ‘of a certain age’ – an issue that may also lead to other problems such as being out of sync with their service users, donors or volunteers, or being unaware of emerging risks or opportunities for the charity.
In this sense, going digital could be one part of a much bigger, and very valuable, process of surviving and thriving.
3 TIPS for charities
- Do a skills audit – including of all digital skills.
- Build digital into your governance training and succession planning.
- Understand the scope of digital – it’s not just about having a trustee to do your social media.
3 TIPS for potential trustees
- Don’t worry that you’re too young or inexperienced – charities are looking for new perspectives.
- Understand your value – your digital skills could help a cause you care about.
- Ask for trustee training to help you perform your role.
David Dunsire Consultant, Charities and the Third Sector
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