becoming
a young
trustee
in 2023, I became a trustee for Offset Projects, an organisation championing the agency, activism, and energy of under-25s - developing a space for their ideas and collaborating with them to drive social change through creativity and imagination. Offset centres youth perspective at all stages, including governance and strategy, and part of this involves demystifying the experience of being a trustee for young people.
While charities and companies are increasingly starting to realise the importance of having young people on their boards, there’s not a lot of guidance on what this actually means. To help counteract this, I’ve written a little bit about my experience of becoming a young trustee, from thinking about the role, up to my first board Away Day, along with some key takeaways and resources. I hope it proves insightful!
‘DO SOME RESEARCH TO HELP DECIDE IF, AND WHEN, BECOMING A TRUSTEE IS RIGHT FOR YOU.’
I had spent a lot of time volunteering in different places, particularly while at university, and some time after graduating I began to think that the skills I’d gained would be useful in helping charities make key decisions and plan their futures. It definitely wasn’t an immediate decision; I was unsure about knowing enough and having the ‘right’ experience, so I took some time to think about it and do some research.
I spoke to a couple of people I knew who’d had trustee positions, asking what kind of work they did, why they liked it, and what they would recommend in applying. I also found Getting on Board and Young Trustees Movement to be useful in clarifying what exactly a trustee needed to do, and the necessity of having young voices in shaping organisational structure and direction. Maybe most importantly, I read blog posts from young trustees talking about their experiences, which helped me appreciate that there were lots of other young people taking this step, and that we all have something to bring to the role.
After deciding that I wanted to become a trustee, I began browsing opportunities on different boards online, but quickly realised that a lot of positions weren’t right for me, whether due to interest or knowledge. I identified some key areas that I cared deeply about and understood well – racial equity, social justice, arts and creativity, education, children and young people – and when I began to consider listings more carefully according to these, I felt much more confident in applying.
I was also more drawn to inclusive spaces, which provided resources to answer questions, encouraged applications from all backgrounds, and offered reasonable adjustments. One of the key parts of being a trustee is collaborating with other people and feeling comfortable enough to offer your own insights, particularly if you’re a minority in the room, and this is hugely influenced by the organisational culture. When looking for any new role, it’s important to know what matters to you, and to feel that you will be heard and valued.
‘THINK ABOUT THE WORK YOU’D WANT TO SUPPORT, AND WHAT WOULD BE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU.’
‘REACH OUT TO THE ORGANISATION & ASK TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.’
I approached Offset Projects to have a conversation shortly after finding their recruitment pack, which not only connected to many of my key interests but collaborated with young people rather than deciding for them. It was great to actually talk to the directors and learn more about Offset. I got a clearer understanding of how the organisation operated day-to-day, heard about their most recent work, and was able to ask questions about different aspects of being a trustee. It was also an opportunity for me to speak a little bit more about myself and what I could bring to the organisation.
I’d recommend approaching places that spark your interest and asking to have a quick chat, especially if you have questions. It’s possible that they’d say no due to limited time and capacity, but a lot of places are very willing to discuss the work they do, especially if they’re recruiting on a rolling basis. This reduces the pressure you might feel in an interview setting, while still giving both you and the team a chance to meet and get a sense of whether you might work well together. I had a lovely time speaking to Offset’s directors, and was lucky enough to later be offered the chance to join their board.
‘GET TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW TRUSTEES AND ASK QUESTIONS.’
Offset’s Board is a diverse mix of individuals with different backgrounds, lived experience, voices, knowledge, and perspectives. Together they oversee the strategic governance of the organisation.
BOARD AWAY DAY, 2024
It can always feel a bit intimidating joining a new organisation, especially when others have been there for much longer, but the inclusive approach at Offset really helped. When myself and another young trustee were introduced to the rest of the board via email, everyone responded warmly, congratulating us and offering to talk if ever needed. They’ve also emailed with details for training, networking, and cultural events, which have been informative and interesting, while also giving me further knowledge of the charity arts sector.
The directors put me in contact with another young trustee on the board ahead of my first board meeting to talk through the board papers and discuss any questions I may have had. I really appreciated the chance to talk to her beforehand. I hadn’t wanted to take up the entire board meeting with lots of questions, so it was great to clarify any references to previous work and get more context. It’s definitely normal to feel worried before taking on the role, but if you look around, you’ll likely have a great support system in place who are keen for you to ask and learn as much as possible.
‘Prepare in advance, and have confidence in yourself.’
The recruitment and induction process took some time, and up to that point had been quite similar to previous jobs I’d had, but I still wasn’t completely sure what the actual meetings would look like. The directors sent over an agenda along with several papers to read, and in order to prepare as best I could, I set aside an evening where I read through everything and kept a separate document with any questions I had. Some of these were answered in papers I read later or in my pre-meeting conversation, but I kept others to ask at the meeting itself. Despite my nerves, everybody was very chatty and welcoming, encouraging open discussion and regularly asking for input.
My first board meeting was about two hours long, and during this time we covered several topics - we introduced ourselves properly on-screen, went through and approved the last meeting’s minutes and the annual accounts, discussed the directors’ report and finance report, and examined two different organisational policies due for review. I was quiet for the first part of the meeting as I wanted to get a sense of how it would operate and what others thought, but gradually felt more confident in asking questions and offering my opinion.
In early 2024 we had a Board Away Day facilitated externally by NCVO and kindly hosted by MK Community Foundation. This offered the opportunity to meet in person for the first time, and to take a more in-depth look at the organisational mission, activity, and future planning. Being able to collaborate with the others in decision-making, hearing their expertise and sharing my own, was a really great experience, and I also appreciated the chance to hear about their other work and varied interests. I wouldn’t say I understood everything that happened without question, but I felt comfortable enough to ask for clarification, and continue to improve my knowledge of good governance practices and Offset Projects more broadly.
Reflecting on the process of becoming a young trustee, I have several suggestions: research and prepare; find your interests; and ask questions. Perhaps the most important one, however, is already noted by many other young or otherwise marginalised trustees - have confidence in yourself.
It’s natural to have some self-doubt, especially when there aren’t many others like you in positions of authority, but in many ways being different makes your perspective unique and highly needed. Nobody will have expertise in every area, but we all have different backgrounds and experiences, and are there to learn from each other in supporting the organisation to do its best work
