Golam Morshed

1. First of all, about you: what attracted you to becoming a chair/trustee?

I directly benefit from being a trustee, in addition to just giving something back to society. It helps me to understand the governance perspective while I do my job as a senior manager or consultant in an organisation. I simply enjoy being a trustee and it brings a pleasant break from my bread winning paid jobs.

2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?

At this moment, I am trustee of the following charities;

Chair of Finance Committee and Treasurer of London Voluntary Service Council

Trustee of Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector 

My previous involvement includes:

Treasurer of Anti-Slavery International
Treasurer of Race on the Agenda
Board member of Oxford Citizens Housing Association

School Governor of  St Michael School, Oxford and Cheam Park farm Infants School, Sutton, Surrey

3. What particularly attracted you to these organisations?

Just a desire to make a positive contribution to our society. Being a Londoner LVSC is a unique organisation to support London’s diverse organisation and people. Sutton CVS help me to gain understanding/contribute on local issues. While Anti-Slavery International is a platform to play my role as conscious global citizen.

4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/Chair?

You often hear that trustees are giving free time, which is fine, but equally they are also gaining from the involvement. It is a two-way give/take situation. It is essential to match both expectations to maximise trustee’s effectiveness.

5. What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?

To strike an optimum balance between trustees role and the management role as the environment changes all the time, indeed organisations are so diverse.

6. What do you consider the most satisfying aspect of your role?

Being raised in Asia, worked in Africa and Europe with diverse originations, I am always able to bring a different perspective to the trustees view to look at an issue or challenge. This added value is always satisfying when it brings positive outcome.

7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the trustee/Chair role?

I do not get involved for recognition but to satisfy myself, the desire comes from an inner drive to make a positive contribution in the society.

8. Have you felt that the demands made on trustees/Chairs have grown over time?

I do not think so although you get the sense when you read various competing news generating sources. Demand has not grown in general but there are a lot of people/organisations out there claiming that they are helping trustees, which I doubt a lot. Organisations have a duty to match trustee’s individual desire behind signing up as trustee and organisational requirement.

9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/Chair should serve?

I do not believe on a set term of office. It depends on the performance of the trustee; there is absolutely no reason for someone to leave just for the shake of a set term.
 
10. What tip would you give to a new trustee?

Try to be involved with a specific piece of work that you have skill or you enjoy in addition to your routine trustee role e.g. attending meetings etc. This will increase your contribution significantly in the organisation and indeed your satisfaction.

11. If you weren’t a trustee, what would you do with that time?

I would campaign on behalf of any organisation working in the human right issue and injustice.

12. What steps do you take to increase/retain your organisation’s membership?

Most of the charities have a common problem to answer a simple response when you ask them what they do. In my view if an organisation can explain what they do in a simple one sentence, then they have done enough to attract people for their cause.

13. What question do you want to ask next week’s trustee?

Forget what you are giving: are you sure what you are gaining from your trusteeship?

Golam Morshed helps third sector organisations to maximise their impact through effective management of their financial resources. You can reach him by emailing morshed@morshed.info or visit www.morshed.info