Have you thought about becoming a Trustee?
Trustees are the group of people with overall responsibility for a charity. Their main roles are to:
- Decide what strategies the charity should pursue in the future
- Make sure the charity is doing what it is set up to deliver
- Make sure the charity is following the law
Every charity needs to have trustees to guide and oversee them and people usually want to be a trustee for a cause or charity that they feel passionately about.
What’s in it for me?
Being a trustee is a great way to make a difference in your local community and brings with it some valuable personal benefits:
- Developing skills to help you in your career e.g. strategic experience and team work
- Utilising the knowledge you have built up from your previous experiences to find practical solutions
- Contributing to a great cause and supporting a charity which is important to you
- Developing personal networks and contacts
Am I the right fit?
Trustee diversity is key and charities are very keen to have a wide range of voices and experience. Trustee boards strive to be more inclusive and representative and it is important that the board reflects the communities the charity works with. Trustees with relevant lived experience helps decision making to be more informed and supportive of service users.
Would I have the right skills?
Charities welcome applications from people who have the commitment to find out the information needed by the board, as well as people who can offer specific professional skills such as accountancy, HR or marketing.
There are a large number of charities in the Kent Coast area who are looking for new trustees. You can find out more about being a trustee via https://www.gettingonboard.org/free-resources-for-aspiring-trustees. They also have a great guide that you can download to help you through thinking about whether a trustee role is for you.
Kent Coast Volunteering would love to hear from you if you are interested in learning more about becoming a Trustee. Get in touch for an informal chat or to find out more about specific trustee roles currently available in the Kent Coast area.
Contact us at volunteering@kcv.org.uk or, for Thanet, pop in to our weekly Wednesday drop in from 10am to 3pm at Discovery Planet, High Street Ramsgate.
“Being a trustee has given me the opportunity to make a real difference by utilising my knowledge, skills and experience to help steer the charity and provide strategic governance. I’ve learnt so much from the role, and it’s helped me in my day job!”
Cam, Trustee of Kent Coast Volunteering