Any Trustees here?

[gusto]

I recently applied for a Trustee role at a local charity that I thought I was a perfect fit for. I had worked in the space for 15+ years, had worked with some of their partners, and was really keen to get the role. However, they thought I had no governance background and didn't give me the role.

I am a bit gutted and really keen to get other Trustee roles - can someone recommend me how to improve your governance/risk/audit background if you don't have a career background in these? Are there any courses or certifications or books that could help? Any advice will be useful!

Have you looked at the Women on Boards website? There's a lot of info there, and they run some courses. You need to sign up to access some content.

Also NCVO and Re charity commission websites.

(Am away on hols with dodgy Internet connection, so not sure of exact content of sites, nor links.)

Don't be disheartened, it could be do with the mix of skills already on the Board.

By all means swot up on governance but what strengths and knowledge do you already have to be a trustee?

Thanks all!
@EBearHug I found the role on WOB in fact! I agree, the site has lots of stuff to read on governance and trustee roles, but I feel like I need something more structured, or a certification even..

Unexpected My experience is in strategic planning, digital transformation, setting up processes, leading large teams etc in a very niche field. I’ve been rejected thrice for trustee roles now due to lack of audit experience (!) but this is the first time I am being rejected by a charity in this very niche, tiny field!

OP I'm in a role which quality assures charity governance.

Most organisations I work with would snap your hand off with experience like yours! Good trustees are worth more than their weight in gold!

I suggest you have a look at the code of governance and think about how you can relate the principles to your experience. Governance is only a framework for the application of skills and experience, there's nothing mysterious about it.

And any charity worth its salt would be looking to ensure diversity on its board. If this meant providing an augmented induction in formal governance stuff, then so be it.

Thanks @catmint! I assumed aiming for diversity was important in these kinds of roles too, oh well.

What size charity are you looking at? I'm a trustee of 2 small charities, one of which I found through Do-it.org and the other was one I was attending anyway.

We'd bite the hand off anyone with fundraising experience or PR but everyone is welcome. Maybe try a volunteer website first?

Please don't take this as criticism but your skills are more about exec/operational functions. They may be more in supply than things like audit and governance. I don't really know how you gain that experience unless you work in that field.

I'd join a school governing body. They will be delighted to have you and you will get brilliant board experience.

What were the skills they were looking for? Or was your application based on your industry experience?

Sign up to the charity commission news up to get updated on changes in regulations and governance of charities, find ncvo and look at their courses too. There are induction for trustee courses too. Knowing what makes charities so different than businesses, some of their foibles, challenges facing the sector etc.

You'll find your charity. It's often a mix of skills and board dynamics that need to be addressed just as with any job.