Charity Trustee Networks and Small Charities Coalition merged on 12 March 2011.
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Small Charities Coalition
Jenine Langrish
Each week we showcase someone new as our Trustee of the Week. This week Jenine Langrish from FairPensions shares her experiences of being a trustee. If you would like to be our next Trustee of the Week, please follow the link at the bottom of the page...
1. First of all, about you: What attracted you to becoming a trustee/chair?
Rather ambitiously - a desire to change the world!
2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?
FairPensions (Fairshare Educational Foundation)
3. What particularly attracted you to these organisation(s)?
I believe that if you really want to change the world you need to influence the behaviour of the big multi-national corporations. The best way to do this is to persuade the large shareholders (such as pension funds) to press for change. Fairpensions does this (and does it well).
4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/chair?
More time - I volunteer in some capacity for 7 different charities, either as a trustee or committee member or advisor. I need to learn to say no, however interesting the cause.
5. What's the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?
Persuading some of the other trustees that we needed to spend more time on governance matters. They've now allowed me to set up and chair a governance sub committee which makes recommendations to the board, so everyone is happy (I hope).
6. What do you consider to be the most satisfying aspect of your role?
Being able to get involved with some of Fairpensions' campaigning and educational work.
7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the trustee/chair role?
Within the sector yes, but amongst the wider public probably not.
8. Have you felt that the demands made on trustees/chairs have grown over time?
I think the demands vary hugely from charity to charity and also over time. However as a generalisation I think I'm more conscious now of the huge responsibilities and potential pitfalls from things such as data protection, employment law, HMRC fit & proper declarations, equalities laws, substantial donor rules, public benefit statements etc etc
9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/chair could serve?
Two or three terms of three years as a trustee, of which perhaps three years should be as chair.
10. What tip would you give to a new trustee/chair?
Be passionate about the charity's objects and vision and keep sight of this at all times.
11. If you weren't a trustee/chair, what would you do with that extra time?
Chill out!
12. What steps do you take to increase/retain your organisation's membership?
Our members are mainly other non-profit organisations, and so we focus on keeping them informed and ensuring our work is relevant to their own campaigning and aims.
13. What question do you want to ask next week's trustee?
What makes you passionate about your charity.
…To see all trustees of the week click here and if you’d like to be our next Trustee of the Week, please complete the survey here
1. First of all, about you: What attracted you to becoming a trustee/chair?
Rather ambitiously - a desire to change the world!
2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?
FairPensions (Fairshare Educational Foundation)
3. What particularly attracted you to these organisation(s)?
I believe that if you really want to change the world you need to influence the behaviour of the big multi-national corporations. The best way to do this is to persuade the large shareholders (such as pension funds) to press for change. Fairpensions does this (and does it well).
4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/chair?
More time - I volunteer in some capacity for 7 different charities, either as a trustee or committee member or advisor. I need to learn to say no, however interesting the cause.
5. What's the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?
Persuading some of the other trustees that we needed to spend more time on governance matters. They've now allowed me to set up and chair a governance sub committee which makes recommendations to the board, so everyone is happy (I hope).
6. What do you consider to be the most satisfying aspect of your role?
Being able to get involved with some of Fairpensions' campaigning and educational work.
7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the trustee/chair role?
Within the sector yes, but amongst the wider public probably not.
8. Have you felt that the demands made on trustees/chairs have grown over time?
I think the demands vary hugely from charity to charity and also over time. However as a generalisation I think I'm more conscious now of the huge responsibilities and potential pitfalls from things such as data protection, employment law, HMRC fit & proper declarations, equalities laws, substantial donor rules, public benefit statements etc etc
9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/chair could serve?
Two or three terms of three years as a trustee, of which perhaps three years should be as chair.
10. What tip would you give to a new trustee/chair?
Be passionate about the charity's objects and vision and keep sight of this at all times.
11. If you weren't a trustee/chair, what would you do with that extra time?
Chill out!
12. What steps do you take to increase/retain your organisation's membership?
Our members are mainly other non-profit organisations, and so we focus on keeping them informed and ensuring our work is relevant to their own campaigning and aims.
13. What question do you want to ask next week's trustee?
What makes you passionate about your charity.
…To see all trustees of the week click here and if you’d like to be our next Trustee of the Week, please complete the survey here