Charities and causes are set up for meaningful work that changes lives and achieves clear goals. The individuals that steer these organisations, therefore, are an integral part of this success. How can you identify the right person who will sit on the board and help to move it forward? There are many facets to finding the right person and identifying the qualities that make them right to be a trustee. It is critical to first understand the purpose of the board of trustees and how individuals that carry out these roles demonstrate they are right for that specific cause.

What is the purpose of a trustee board?

The board of a charity or cause has a huge responsibility to steer the direction of the organisation and have the needs of its beneficiaries underpinning all decision-making. A trustee must be skilled in governance and always focused on how they can advance the purpose of their charity. A trustee will not engage in the day-to-day running of the charity, they are responsible for overseeing it, developing strategy, and making key decisions that always align with the value and purpose of the organisation. They ensure accountability and that the beneficiaries are at the core of all efforts. In other words, the board of trustees are stewards or guardians of the organisation.

The role of a trustee

There are a variety of skills that are needed to be a trustee such as leadership, vision, governance, and campaigning. There is a wealth of data and research that demonstrates diverse and inclusive leadership has huge potential to grow and develop organisations. Choosing the right trustee for your charity is about looking at a candidate and seeing how they add to the board. One of the most valuable assets a trustee can possess is lived experience. What this means is they have a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by the beneficiaries of that specific charity, for example, it could be a charity that helps the homeless and has a trustee on the board who was once homeless. Ways this benefits the board:

• Valuable insight into the experience, barriers, and mindset of individuals in this situation.

• An informed voice that develops discussion at the board level and influences decision-making.

• A legitimacy to the endeavours of the board that increases their relatability to the beneficiaries.

This does not mean that those board members who do not have lived experience aren’t valuable, it is about having a range of skills and experience all striving towards the same end goal, the needs of the beneficiaries.

How we recognise potential

What motivates someone to put themselves forward for a trustee role? An individual’s motivation is another key element that Charisma explores during recruitment. Our experience in this field enables us to test and probe candidates to ensure the right person is placed in the role. The diverse experience of our team has enabled us to develop recruitment campaigns and processes that attract potential trustees and save time on the recruitment process. We collaborate and communicate with our clients so that the candidate pack and marketing material are constructed with them ensuring the right trustee is attracted to the role.

Being a trustee is unpaid and requires devotion, so it really takes a special individual to become a trustee, spotting that potential is where we come in.