Our Trustees urge others to get involved with charities
Our Trustees are backing a national week to encourage people in Southampton to donate their time to charities (November 2021).
As part of national Trustees’ Week running until Friday (November 1-5, 2021), our board members are hoping to inspire others to take similar posts and help in their communities.
Dan Freshwater, our CEO, explains: “We are indebted to our trustees who are accountable for everything we do and take on a great deal of responsibility, legally, for the organisation in an unpaid capacity. Without them, we would not be able to function and support those in our community who vitally need our help. There are many other charities out there that urgently need people to come forward to become trustees for them too, so we’re hoping we can help raise awareness of these roles.”
Trustees’ Week
Trustees’ Week is an annual event to showcase the great work trustees do and provides opportunities for others to get involved and make a difference.
Our Chairman of Trustees’ Les Judd, who has been volunteering for SCiA, across its different boards, for nearly 20 years, says: “This event is designed to raise awareness of the commitment of trustees and to help encourage others to give their time freely to become one. All our board members, and myself, volunteer as trustees to help out in our community and it’s a role that’s essential to the fabric of our society.
Encourage others
“We’re hoping that we can raise awareness to encourage others get involved with other charities in the city too. It’s an enjoyable role that doesn’t take up many hours each week, so is something even those in full-time work could consider doing.”
We had a number of new trustees join our board earlier this year and among those was Dr Dina Foy, a former GP who has also worked in commissioning and on public health programmes focusing on healthy lifestyles.
Dina continues to work in the Covid vaccination programme and has various roles with Southampton University including as a Personal Academic Tutor for medical students.
She says: “I decided to become a trustee with SCiA as I am now semi-retired and have the time to give back to our community.
Worthwhile
“I’d say to anyone considering becoming a trustee that it is certainly worthwhile to go for it, but it’s really important to choose an organisation that you’re comfortable and matched with i.e. an organisation that works in an area you are interested in and one which you can offer value in terms of your skills and experience.”
Fellow trustee, Andrew Tonkin who works as a consultant specialising in Strategic Change in Financial Services joined us in May 2021.
Give back to community
He said: “I wanted to give back to the community in the area where I live and I felt I could use my skills to help the executive team consider the future strategic options for the organisation and that I could help the charity to ensure finance and risk matters are well governed. Anyone keen to have an opportunity to give back to society, bringing with them skills that charities need, I’d encourage to become a trustee. A range of skills would help for the role, like curiosity, innovation, patience and a genuine interest in the charity’s aims.”
Trustee Nick Kohn, who advises companies on strategy and branding, joined our board in May this year too.
He says: “I was attracted to SCiA as it performs an invaluable service in my area and I felt I could help with my strategic focus and ideas. I’d advise anyone thinking of becoming a trustee to be sure that they have the right skills and time to give before they start. Trustees have the same responsibilities as directors, so it is a serious commitment.”