Tips for applying as a trustee

Trustees are governance volunteers who play an important role in both the charity they are a trustee of and the charity sector as a whole.

 

Trustees have a legal responsibility for their given charity and therefore have specific duties that need to be carried out.

 

Their main responsibility is to ensure that their charity is delivering on its mission and purpose, which must be for public benefit.

 

 

Why become a trustee?

 

People become trustees for several reasons. Some may have lived experience of the cause and want to contribute from that perspective. Some may want to gain leadership skills and experience. Whatever your reason for wanting to become a trustee, it’s important to find the right trustee role and the right charity.

 

Being a trustee can be a big commitment in both time and responsibility. While most charity boards meet around four to six times a year, there may be sub-committees that you will want to join who will have their own meetings outside of board meetings.

 

Depending on the size of the charity, as a trustee you may need to volunteer more of your time and skills to help with strategy, mentoring of staff or even day-to-day duties.

 

 

Where to find the perfect trustee role online

 

There are lots of places online to look for the perfect trustee role. If you’ve identified a specific cause or cause areas that you would like to be a trustee for, set up a Google Alert so that you are notified, by email, when a trustee role is advertised.

 

Other places to look for the perfect trustee role online, include:

 

 

Jobs boards

 

There are specialist jobs boards dedicated to trustee roles, which include  Trustees Unlimited, Reach Volunteering, Getting on Board, and Young Trustees Movement (for trustees aged 18–30).

 

You can also find trustee roles on non-trustee specialist jobs boards, such as the Guardian, Third Sector and CharityComms.

 

 

Social media

 

Be sure to follow the social media accounts of charities that you are interested in becoming a trustee of, as they will usually post if there is a trustee vacancy they are looking to fill.

 

Also follow charity recruiter’s social media accounts as they will post Trustee roles when they become available.

 

There are also groups, such as the Third Sector PR & Comms Network Facebook group, which has a dedicated monthly jobs thread, which include trustee roles.

 

 

Recruiters

 

Charity sector recruitment agencies that specialise in trustee roles include Charity People, Prospectus,and Peridot Partners Board Match.

 

 

Top tips for applying for a trustee role

 

When charities recruit for trustee roles, they are often looking for trustees with specific skill sets. Only apply for trustee roles where skills and experience match what they are looking for. Unfortunately your passion for the cause alone will not guarantee an interview.

 

Once you’ve found the perfect trustee role to apply for, ensure that you clearly demonstrate how your skills meet both the essential and desirable requirements.

 

In most cases, people wish to be trustees of a certain cause because there is a personal connection. Be sure to clearly articulate your personal motivation for wanting to become a trustee. This will help your application to stand out among others that do not have a personal connection and are simply looking for a trustee role to gain leadership or board experience.

 

Getting on Board has a free guide on how to become a trustee, which offers tips on what to include in your application.

 

 

Preparing for your interview

 

If you’ve been shortlisted for an interview, here is some advice and tips on how to prepare.

 

It’s natural to be nervous before an interview. Remember that the interview is as much yours as it is the charity’s. The interview will help you to decide if the charity is a right fit for you and it will offer you the opportunity to ask your own questions.

 

As trustee roles are voluntary, and you will have a legal responsibility should you become a trustee, don’t be afraid to ask hard questions around finances, governance and even the culture at the charity. It’s important that you have all the information that you need, should you be offered the role, to decide whether to accept it or not.

 

 

Interview tips

 

 

Treat it like a paid role

 

A trustee interview is no different from any other interview for a paid role. You will be expected to have done your research, to demonstrate your skills and experience, to share your motivation for the role and to have your own questions prepared.

 

 

Be prepared

 

Ensure that you have done your due diligence and have read the charity’s latest accounts. Look the charity up on the Charity Commission’s Charity Register to see not only their income and expenditure but also if there are any open inquiries into the charity by the Charity Commission.

 

Have a look at the charity’s website and social media channels to get a better sense of what they do and how they communicate and market themselves. 

 

 

Google the charity

 

This will bring up any news articles they may be mentioned in. This can help give more insight into their work but can also help identify if there is any negative press.