Don't forget to celebrate trustees

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 6 Nov 2009

How to create a diverse trustee world is the million dollar question. Countless surveys, studies and working groups are looking at finding the key to attracting a broad range of stewards for a charity outside the typical trustee who is often white, over 45 and usually retired.

Most recently, Getting On Board held a meeting with high level representatives, including the Charity Commission and Institute of Fundraising to discuss ways of encouraging skilled professionals to become trustees and an online trustee recruitment service called Trustees Unlimited has launched this week to address skills gaps.

These efforts should be commended and encouraged but in this drive the hard and often silent work of current trustees shouldn’t be forgotten.

I talked to a "stereotypical trustee" this week who said he felt his contribution to the sector was often unrecognised and dismissed amongst the calls for “better” trustees.

What a sad case! The drive for more colourful and representative boards is essential, but we should recognise and celebrate the great efforts board members already make and look to enhance this, rather than seeing it as fixing something that is broken.

Who's Who: Vibeka Mair

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