Volunteers’ Week is a UK-wide celebration of the diversity of volunteer work. Of course, we’re here to highlight the incredible work of trustees and chairs, most of whom are unpaid.
Unsung heroes of the voluntary world
If you’re a trustee or chair, then congratulations – you have one of the most misunderstood voluntary roles in the non-profit sector!
Those of us familiar with the non-profit sector know that most board members are unpaid. But 41% of the public have the wrong end of the stick when it comes to trusteeship – thinking that the role is in fact a paid one.
Yes, some non-profits do pay their trustees. But statistics suggest it’s around 1.6% of non-profits – a tiny proportion.
Not to mention that a huge 75% of people don’t think trustees are responsible and accountable for the actions of charities. Instead, the general public think the government or the charity regulator are in charge.
So not only do people think you’re paid, they really don’t understand what you do at all.
Desperately seeking…
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why recruiting trustees is really tough. Just 6% of trustees apply for their role by an advert. Most are recruited through personal contacts.
Not only are there loads of trustee vacancies, affecting four out of five non-profits, but the difficulty in recruiting new trustees undoubtedly affects the diversity and representation across board members. Valuable potential talent is being missed out on.
Benefits across the board
And that’s disappointing, because being a trustee or chair is a great volunteer opportunity. We know the hardships and challenges of serving on a board, but even so, 80% of trustees would recommend the role because it has such great benefits.
Being on a non-profit board is crucial, interesting, challenging work. You use existing skills and gain new ones, and get to be involved in strategy, financial management, and leadership. It’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to a cause you care about and want to contribute to.
The lack of understanding about what you do as a trustee or chair is a shame – for you, for the non-profit you serve, and for all those potential trustees out there who have no idea that this is something they could be doing.
Championing and supporting you on Volunteers’ Week and beyond
That’s why the Association of Chairs is determined to keep shouting about how chairs and trustees (who can also join our collaborative community), are “extraordinary volunteers”.
We know your role can be tough as well as rewarding. We’re on your side and we will keep championing you – and not just during Volunteers’ Week, but all year round.
Our consultation which recently closed will no doubt yield some interesting results which will impact how we support our members and what we advocate for with regards to chairing and trusteeship generally.
Now that we have moved into offering membership for whole boards, we will continue to build upon and improve the support we offer based on what you, our members, say you need and want from us.
A final thank you
For now, we will leave it at this – a big thank you to all the trustees and chairs out there.
Thank you for giving your free time to help run the nation’s non-profits, large and small, local, national, and international.
Thank you for your dedication to a vital voluntary role that’s often overlooked and, as we’ve seen above, largely misunderstood.
You truly are extraordinary volunteers!
Got any thoughts about trustees and chairs this Volunteers’ Week? Do you think these roles are particularly misunderstood? What can we do to change that?
We would love to hear your thoughts, whether you are a member or not. Get in touch with us on [email protected] or comment on our Volunteers’ Week social media posts on LinkedIn.
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