Trustee Recruitment

Finding the right trustees is a key step in building a strong, effective board. The first thing to do is create clear role descriptions that outline what being a trustee involves.

Potential trustees will want to know:

• How often and when meetings take place
• What tasks and responsibilities they’ll have between meetings
• The legal responsibilities of trusteeship

This last point is especially important for unincorporated charities, as trustees in these cases have personal liability.

You might also be looking for trustees with specific skills or experience—perhaps in finance, HR, or fundraising. A board skills audit can help identify gaps and shape your recruitment process.

Don’t forget officer roles! Some trustees take on extra responsibilities, such as Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer, to help keep things running smoothly.

Next Topic: Writing a role description