The prospect of joining a new organisation as a trustee can be nerve-wracking, especially for those stepping into the role for the first time. However, as the recruiting organisation, you are in a powerful position to make this experience a positive one and set your new trustee up for success in their hugely important role.
Here are 5 top tips to help you achieve this:
- Tailor your induction to the trustee: What do they need as an individual? Ask- is there anything we can do as a Board so you can take part fully?
- Provide a standard induction pack in any case, including, for example, your governing document and policies and procedures, including a Trustee Code of Conduct.
- Organise an induction meeting with the chair, another trustee and some key members of staff.
- Assign a buddy: Pair each new trustee with an existing board member and arrange for them to have regular check-ins for the first year.
- Set up key training:
- VODA offers free trustee training on the roles and responsibilities of the trustee, which provides a great grounding to help trustees understand what their new role entails. You can book onto our next session on 19 June from 4-6 pm at VODA’s Wallsend office here. Or keep an eye out for future training via our training calendar.
- VODA also has a range of free, short, online training courses available on our Elements Training Portal, including An Introduction to Good Governance, An Introduction to the Roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, and Getting to Grips with your Charity’s Governing Document.
If you need further guidance on trustee recruitment and induction, please get in touch with our Core Services Team – 0191 643 2626 or development@voda.org.uk.
