Charity board initiative

• Do you want to boost your CV?
• Do you want to enhance your employability skills?
• Do you want to help a charity to set its direction and learn how it works?

At present, in Scotland, only around 8 per cent of charity board members are under the age of 35 and this means many charities are missing out on a younger perspective on their strategy and performance. Also young people are missing out on the opportunity to make a difference while gaining valuable experience for their CV.

We have set up an initiative to encourage students:

• to find out a bit more about how charities are governed and what they do;
• to attend some relevant training on the board role; and
• potentially to become board members of a charity.

Two of our pilot initiative students have joined Charity Boards already.

What's involved?

We have created a simple stepping stone training programme, following the Edinburgh Napier University Get on Board Competency Pathway.

Bronze (Charity)

• Meeting with accreditation board to consider charity interests / skills / skills gaps.
• Attend two taster events and induction governance training / finance / legal events run by RSM / SCVO / Anderson Strathern / Inspiring Scotland / Edinburgh Napier University get on board team (one – two hours / event).
• Complete bronze level workbook ‘Get on Board Competency Pathway’ demonstrating / evidencing skills development.

Silver (Charity)

• Complete application form.
• Set objectives for learning on governance from board / committee / senior management shadowing with the accreditation board.
• Suggested pairing with a charity.
•  Interview by charity to agree compatibility with applicant.
• Attend charity to undertake board / committee / senior management governance work shadowing and attending meetings / assisting at events (10 hours over three months) with a focus on understanding the ‘behind the scenes’ governance support required from work shadowing together with attendance at one / two sub committee / board meetings.
• Attend 10 hours governance / finance / legal / IT / risk training events to fill relevant skills gaps / development needs. (Total training 14 hours including ‘taster training’ from Bronze).
• Complete silver workbook demonstrating / evidencing skills development.
• Meet with accreditation board and report back on; the governance structure of selected charity successes and blockers.
• Gain formal feedback from charity.

Gold (Charity)

• Set objectives for next three - six months and discuss with accreditation board.
• Become a member of a subcommittee or board of a charity and report back after six months.
• Obtain 360º feedback from subcommittee / board on your input.
• Attend relevant training events.
• Present to accreditation board on your experience and the benefits you believe have brought to the charity.
• Gain formal feedback from charity.

If you are interested in becoming a charity board member, contact Kelly Adams to find out more.