A possible process to go through when considering how to recruit a diverse group of charity trustees This is an extract from a Guardian Question & Answer discussion entitled ‘How to recruit a diverse group of charity trustees. I contributed as a member of the Expert Panel on behalf of Young Charity Trustees. See a full summary here of the discussion and comments from other panellists here: http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2013/nov/08/recruit-diverse-charity-trustees
COMMENT: Felicity Jones “From my point of view, recruiting a trustee is a process that needs to be broken down into a number of key questions - Where? What? How? and Why? – and these areas all need to be thought about when trying to increase diversity of board members.
Here is a more detailed example thinking this model through for younger trustees... WHERE to recruit from? Different trustees use different forms of media. Younger trustees are more likely to see an advertisement on twitter or facebook than on more traditional media, or why not send out an advertisement to a university mailing list, local youth club, or any young volunteers you have? WHAT are you advertising for? (i.e. role description, specific interests) Younger trustees are less likely to have specific experience (we have had less time to gain it!) so why not advertise for interest and offer training to gain skills? Additionally if you need skills younger people are more likely to have (e.g. technology) make this clear. HOW do you apply? Be aware that younger applicants are often less familiar with application procedures so making it complex, or asking questions focused around previous experience is more likely to put them off. Problem-solving tasks/ interviews, or a simple statement of motivation may be more accessible. WHY should you apply? As well as selling your charity its key to explain what is in it for the trustee – what skills will the gain and what experiences will they have? How big is the commitment? Younger trustees are often looking to build skills for employment, and I have found that offering training, and advertising with a careers focus can increase interest, particularly for some younger people who see themselves as too busy trying to earn a living to volunteer in a way that doesn’t benefit them too.”