Trustee recruitment

Our members tell us that trustee recruitment remains one of the biggest challenges they face today. See below for our 6 top tips to help you find the right trustees as and when you need them

1. Check your governing document to find out:
   • how many trustees the Charity’s board should have have?
   • whether any of the trustees should be nominated by your local council?
   • if there are any restrictions on who can be a trustee (Ex-officio trustees, i.e. must they be from a certain parish, the church, etc.?)
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2. Check what skills the existing trustees have and consider what additional skills are needed both now and over say, the next couple of years.
   This will help you target the right people for the trustee vacancy.
   • Carry out a skills audit of your existing trustees to see where there may be gaps – click here to access SKILLS AUDIT TEMPLATE on Model Policies and Templates page
   • Think about the type of person who will make a good trustee for your charity.
   • Create a role profile for this trustee position – click here to access ROLE PROFILE TEMPLATE on Model Polices and Templates page
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3. Write a great ad!
   • Use colour, graphics, icons and the charity’s logo if there is one
   • Use an engaging format with questions and headings. State that it is a voluntary role and outline what your charity does
   • Be clear and concise about what a trustee’s role involves
   • State what skills the charity is seeking and how much time trustees need to commit including frequency of meetings
   • List the benefits of being a trustee
   • Offer a chance to chat, including details of who they can contact to find out more or how they can apply – click here to access ADVERT TEMPLATE and APPLICATION FORM TEMPLATE on Model Policies and Templates page
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4. Advertise in all the right places
   • Networking – talk to friends/contacts, suggest they apply, who can then talk to their friends/contacts.
   • Use your current networks – The Almshouse Association, your Charity website & social media accounts, etc.
   • Use local forums such as community Facebook groups and the NextDoor app.
   • Produce a poster/flyer (see advert template referenced above) and place in local health centres, pubs, cafes, libraries, sport centres, supermarkets, charity shops, church noticeboards etc.
   • Advertise via your local newspaper, Community Volunteering Centre (CVS) or local Voluntary Action Group. There may be a dedicated website for your area.
   • Look at local connections, council, museum, history group, u3a, WI, Lions or Rotary clubs, etc.
   • Contact large local employers, Chambers of Commerce and/or professional associations.
   • Place your trustee advert online in a variety of places, including free websites such as Reach Volunteering, Do-IT, Women on Boards and Charity Job.
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5. Plan the interview process
   • Invite potential trustees to join you at a trustee meeting (being careful not to include any sensitive or confidential information).
   • Hold interviews using a predetermined set of questions – click here to access our INTERVIEWING TEMPLATE on our Model Policies and Templates page
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6. Apply due diligence
   • Take up references.
   • Check for ‘conflicts of interest’.
   • Apply for a standard DBS check if your charity needs it.
   • Ensure you have checked the Charity Commission eligibility criteria – see link below in ‘Useful links’.
   • Make sure the new trustee is aware of their legal accountabilities
   • Offer the position formally in writing – click here to access our OFFER LETTER TEMPLATE on our Model Policies and Templates page
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7. Ensure a successful induction
   • Implement a full induction – click here to access our INDUCTION CHECK LIST TEMPLATE on our Model Policies and Templates page including:
     • an invite to meet with staff and residents and have a tour of the almshouses.
     • a copy of your charity’s governing document as well as copies of the minutes of, say, the last two trustee meetings.
     • encouragement to sign up to The Almshouse Association website to access all our online guidance, training and the Standards of Almshouse Management Guidance manual.

For any further help with recruiting new trustees please do not hesitate to contact Member Services or book onto our Trustee Recruitment Workshop to learn the process to build a robust and effective Board of Trustees.

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Useful links
– Charity Commission Finding New Trustees Section 5 – Vetting
– Trustee Recruitment Webinar
– Trustee Recruitment webinar Powerpoint slides    
– Trustee Roles and Responsibilities webinar recording
– Trustee Roles and Responsibilities Powerpoint slides
– Getting on Board: How to recruit trustees leaflet
– ‘Here to Help’ guidance on Trustee responsibilities produces by The Charity Commission
– A charity’s personal experience of trustee recruitment