UWUK BLOG NOV 2022 TRUSTEES’ WEEK
TEAMWORK, TOGETHERNESS AND TRUSTEES
The theme for Trustees’ Week 2022 is making a difference in changing times. As the external environment continues to change rapidly, we are constantly facing a steady stream of new challenges. The guidance, expertise and support trustees bring is invaluable to the nonprofit sector, which is more crucial for the wellbeing of our society than ever before.
Trustees’ Week, 7-11 November, is an opportunity to recognise the tireless, and often unseen, service of the UK’s dedicated trustees.
Trustees don’t usually deliver front line services in the sector, given their strategic role, and are often overlooked as volunteers.
But trustees bring enormous value to UK charities, donating many hours of precious time and resources behind the scenes, taking on huge responsibility and acting as guides and sounding boards for the CEO and staff team.
This matters because every charity is founded to serve the most vulnerable in our society. The non-profit sector provides a safety net without which so many of our under-served communities would lose the lifelines they count on day in, day out, for survival.
To celebrate this Trustees’ Week, United Way UK pays tribute to our committed and dynamic Board of Trustees who underpin our strategic direction and governance, and who bring so much expertise, wisdom and value to our organisation. Not only this but they work as a collaborative and cohesive team whilst managing to support me, as CEO, and one another to perform at our very best.
Of course, the key ingredient for creating a successful trustee team is a strong leader, and who better than the Chair of United Way UK, Gary Von Lehmden, to tell us about this, through his experience of being a charity Chair, and how he succeeds in getting the very best from the United Way UK Board and CEO.
IN GARY’S OWN WORDS
I asked Gary some searching questions about his approach to leading a group of trustees and keeping them engaged and motivated, and performing at their best:
What does your work with UWUK bring you on a personal level?
First and foremost, I am committed to the programmes we deliver to UK communities through United Way UK. We really take a strategic approach to community vulnerabilities, supporting all people at all stages of their life where they might be experiencing challenges. So I think it’s important to have a strong connection to the cause.
On a personal level, I enjoy the opportunity to engage with a really stimulating, motivated group of trustees. It’s great to have a good relationship with a dynamic and insightful CEO, and it’s fun and interesting to work alongside a young and driven staff team and watch them grow and develop as they build something meaningful together, and where we all play a part in that.
It’s a great experience to be a part of the process of building a unique and successful charity in the UK from scratch.
Can you share some top tips for leading a trustee Board, for anyone aspiring to the role of Chair?
My leadership style tends to be collaborative, so for me engagement and communication are absolutely critical. It’s important to listen well and understand what stakeholders are interested in, and then to do your best to facilitate those things, so everyone can contribute to the best of their ability.
As leader of a trustee Board, I also try to create a common sense of purpose within which there is a strong degree of trust and a sense of togetherness. It’s really more than just a working relationship – getting to know fellow trustees on a personal level is key to supporting them to contribute and respond in discussions. I have experienced Board environments where there is a lack of appreciation for the fact that trustees are also volunteers, dedicating their time, expertise and often their personal resources. So, I always try to guide the climate to something more fun yet efficient, so that people look forward to spending time together,supporting a cause they can all feel passionate about. So it’s important to ensure the culture is supportive and purposeful rather than tense and stressful.
Building real engagement means you have to harness trustees’ individual talents, passions and interests, then find meaningful ways to deploy these and incorporate them into strategy. At United Way UK we have achieved this through a range of committees and projects, as well as regular conversations and interactions outside of Board meetings.
How do you approach key challenges facing the nonprofit sector in 2022 and beyond?
There are so many issues facing UK nonprofits right now – a critical challenge is competition for opportunities at a time when we are moving into a potential period of recession in which many charities may struggle. A key approach is to find ways to remain relevant to our stakeholders in a dynamic and rapidly changing situation. Flexibility and optionality allow charities to identify and seize upon opportunities as they arise, while maintaining a steady course for where you want to be in the medium to long term.
It helps to resist the urge to do too much too quickly - I call it “getting over your skis” (leaning over your skis to go faster, but going too far and losing your balance or having an accident in the process!) Instead, prioritise securing resources and finances that you have the capability of sustaining over time. Focus on building growth whilst at the same time maintaining your ability to withstand any financial challenges that might come your way.
MORE ON BUILDING A FIRST-RATE TRUSTEE BOARD
There is a wealth of information and guidance available about charity governance and trustee duties and responsibilities – see the links below as a starting point.
United Way UK also runs a quarterly community hub where we support small UK charities and where strategic advice is offered by our talented trustee team. To learn more, please email info@unitedway.org.uk or contact us here
And finally – Happy Trustees’ Week to Gary and all our superb trustees at United Way UK, and thank you for your passion, engagement and guidance – your time and expertise are so very valued and appreciated! Best wishes to all trustees around the UK – this week is your time to shine!
USEFUL LINKS