Recruiting board members, trustees and professional advisors
It is important to recruit the right volunteers with the right skills to sit on Management Committees, Board of Directors, as Trustees or Professional Advisors.
Securing the required expertise will help to ensure the successful establishment, future development, sustainability and growth of an organisation or group.
Key Board roles include the Chair, Treasurer and Company Secretary.
Useful professional skills to look out for may include fundraising, education, accountancy, law, surveying or building maintenance, arts practioner or arts management, marketing or business development.
Many groups will secure volunteers through word of mouth, recommendation or by personal approaches. These volunteers may have a particular interest in an area of the arts or wish to help their local community.
However, there will be times that groups need specific skills that are not readily available and it may prove to be difficult to locate the right person. There are organisations that match potential volunteers with the needs of a group. This may be in the form of a Board Bank or specialised advisors or placements. Short-term professional advisors will be able to assist with particular problems or areas of work – such as the development of business plans, building works, organisational development, etc.
Useful organisations
The organisations and resources listed below provide advice on recruiting and becoming a board member or trustee.
Links businesses with arts – specialises in sponsorship, private sector support, business skills, partnership working and board bank
Links charities with business partners – matching commercial experience to board opportunities