Maurizio Fantato

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

I guess like most other trustees and volunteers operating in the not for profit sector, passion and zeal were the main drivers that led me to become a trustee.  I wanted to be part of a team of dedicated individuals who shared the same excitement for our specific cause, with a desire to see things happening.

2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?

The English Trust for European Education is one of the smallest and newest charities around.  It was formed to support the only European school in the UK, as well as fostering the ideals behind European education, represented by the teaching of the European Baccalaureate.  We are a small team, but with heaps of enthusiasm and expertise in our sector.

3. What particularly attracted you to this organisation?

I was a parent at the school in question, subsequently elected to the board of the parents' association (which is quite different in a European school from the PTA and more like a governing body per se).  I was then elected its chairman with a seat on the school’s administrative board.  When my son left school and I could no longer officially promote its activities, I decided that I wanted to put to good use all the expertise I had gained, so together with a few other enthusiasts I founded the new Trust.

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

Time is in short supply.  There are added pressures on the work front related to the current economic downturn, while at the same time the slump has also generated its own additional stresses on all our charitable activities.  We need to act fast, more effectively and efficiently than ever before; burning the midnight oil has now become the norm, rather than the exception.

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

Right now our organisation is facing unprecedented challenges on the financial front.  We need to find a substantial sum in order to set up the new school as an academy, at a time when donors are reluctant to give and there is simply much less cash sloshing around in the economy in general.  Our best endeavours have generated a lot of positive attention, but we need to move on from interest to action.

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

I guess that if I had the means, I would dedicate myself (body and soul) to the cause.  Every aspect of it is satisfying, even the smallest daily challenges bring an enormous feeling of fulfilment once we, as Trustees, have been able to face them.  There are times when we need to reassess our objectives and make minor strategic adjustments, but the pleasure derived by being part of a body of people so committed to a cause is in itself a hugely rewarding aspect of my role.

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

No.  Despite a lot of rhetoric from every government there is little or no recognition of the huge body of people who, like myself, dedicate part of their lives to a non profitable cause.  And, I am not talking here about recognition in the form of honours or such like.  I am talking basics.  It would be nice if employers were forced to allocate as little as 1-2 days a year to individuals engaged in socially responsible/charitable matters.  For example, all too often I am forced to take holiday or unpaid leave to cover engagements or external meetings.  Finally, really enlightened governments should offer tax incentives to individuals involved in the running of charitable enterprises.  So much has been said about how a lot of the responsibilities currently undertaken by government should more effectively be left in the hands of voluntary organisations; well, this can only be achieved if all volunteers are truly recognised for the work they do.

8. (If you have  been a trustee/chair for some time) have you felt that the demands made on trustees/chairs have grown over time?

Actually, from an administrative point of view and in particular in relation to small trusts like the one I represent, the Charity Commission has done sterling work in assisting us with a more efficient web site and an easier way of filing our returns.  The information accessible from sites like CTN’s is invaluable and I have been able to save much time and stress, thanks to this kind of support.  Demands have increased in relation to externalities (the economy) for example but not in terms of governance.

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

I guess this very much depends on the size and type of organisation.  Where there are many members it would seem fair to have a system of rotation.  Where the group is small and highly specialised it should be left up to the trustees. After all, being a chair has its own demands and not everyone is happy or prepared to put up with them; if an individual is willing and the other Trustees are happy then there shouldn’t be an artificial barrier to the length of office (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!)

10. What tip would you give to a new trustee?

Be passionate and above all be a visionary.  Being a little mad, may also help at times!

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

I can’t imagine not being engaged in some kind of humanitarian cause.  I think we all have different skills and attitudes; mine wasn’t related to football or swimming, so this is my raison d’être.

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

We have to communicate.  Every organisation has a duty to communicate clearly and effectively with all its stakeholders.  By fostering an honest dialogue and clarity of communication we are able not only to retain but also increase our membership.

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

What would you do if your organisation received a sudden windfall?  (I would like to address this to small/medium charities, rather than large ones that are used to dealing with very large sums.)

For your opportunity to answer Maurizio's question, please click on the link to the Forum.