Today is the start of Trustees’ Week – a time to highlight the great work that trustees do and to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.

This year has highlighted more than ever the crucial role that trustees play in leading, guiding and shaping voluntary sector organisations.

As Trustee Week begins, here’s three ways you can get involved:

1. Interested in volunteering as a trustee?

A number of voluntary groups and charities in West Lancashire are looking for special volunteers to help lead their organisations, so if you’re interested in volunteering as a trustee get in touch today!

West Lancs CVS Volunteer Centre currently has 15 opportunities to become a trustee for a diverse range of local charities.

Trustees undertake a number of different roles in running a charity including:

• Treasurer – financial and fundraising skills
• Secretary – organisational and administration skills
• Chairperson – managing meetings and providing leadership

In addition, some Boards like to specify wider roles such as:

• fundraising
• line management
• mentoring
• HR advice

To find out local opportunities to volunteer as a trustee, contact Jan at the Volunteer Centre on 07598 552945 or email: vc@wlcvs.org

2. Already got a trustee board?

Online learning

NCVO has lots of useful resources and guidance to help inform and upskill your existing trustee board, including:

• Online training courses
• E-learning
• Trustee Week webinars

Governance resources

To celebrate Trustees Week, the good news is that NCVO is making their members-only governance resources available for free – for this week only! These useful resources include:

• Sample documents and templates
• Tools and guidance

Governance App

Have a look at the new Governance App from Directory of Social Change which has been developed to ‘take the sting out of difficult governance conversations’.

Read their blog post and download the app here

3. Already a trustee or thinking of becoming one?

It’s important to have a range of skills on a Trustee Board.

If you’re already a trustee or thinking of becoming one, then why not find out what skills you bring by taking the Trustee Personality Quiz?:  https://trusteesweek.org/trustee-personality-quiz/

This Trustees’ Week, we join with the many voluntary and community groups across the Borough to thank Trustees who have given their support and guidance as volunteers this year.

The essential role these trustees provide enables these groups to deliver vital services and has never been more needed than during this pandemic year.