The Charity Commission has today updated its guidance for charities recruiting trustees, with an expanded section on inducting new recruits.
Its revised CC30 guidance focuses on steps that charities can take to connect with a broader range of candidates, and to remove barriers that may deter potential trustees from applying.
The guidance advises charities to consider a skills audit to test what they require from trustees and to distinguish between what is required and what can be learnt in the role.
It suggests that charities can post ads via social media or organisations that offer trustee finder services in order to increase their visibility.
The regulator’s revised guidance follows its recent research with think tank Pro Bono Economics, which found that only 6% of trustees applied for their role via an advert.
The research also revealed that most charities relied on personal contacts to recruit new trustees, with 29% of trustees being asked to join by the chair and a quarter approached by another board member.
Recruitment and retention issues
The launch of the updated guidance follows other research from Pro Bono Economics last year, which found that recruitment and retention of trustees was a challenge for many charities.
To improve retention, the regulator has expanded the induction section of its guidance, in which it encourages charities to discuss with each new trustee what they need to fulfil their role effectively.
Its new guidance also suggests that charities can choose to conduct a diversity audit of their board, using a Trustee Recruitment Cycle template.
Mazeda Alama, head of trustee guidance at the commission, said: “We want our refreshed guidance to get trustees thinking about how they can broaden their reach when recruiting to their board.
“Small changes like writing your trustee role description differently or re-considering what skills are really essential, could widen the net and land you a valuable, new addition – taking your board from strength to strength.”
The commission also recently revised its CC11 guidance on paying trustees, in which it continued to emphasise the voluntary principle of the role.
Think tank shortens name
Meanwhile, Pro Bono Economics this week shortened its name to PBE and introduced a new strapline – “economics to improve lives”.
PBE’s head of communications Hannah Corbett said: “The name ‘Pro Bono Economics’ no longer fully reflects the full scope of what we do, nor our mission to improve wellbeing in the UK.
“That’s why we’re evolving. Our new name, PBE, and strapline ‘economics to improve lives’, reflects our broader impact without losing our roots.
“Alongside a name refresh, we’re creating a refreshed website to make it easier for you to find and engage with the work that matters to you.”
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