Unlock the secrets to a thriving and effective board with expert guidance on trustee skills, meetings, and decision-making!

This "Ask the Expert" series from Mike Preston Consultancy tackles common challenges faced by trustees and provides actionable strategies for success.

Inside, you'll discover how to:

• Transform your trustee meetings: Learn key strategies for productive and engaging meetings where decisions are made efficiently and every voice is heard. This includes tips on clear agendas, strong chairmanship, and effective minute-taking.

• Navigate differing opinions: Find recommended approaches for robust decision-making, even when consensus is challenging. Understand the importance of hearing all perspectives and documenting the rationale behind decisions.

• Identify and develop essential trustee skills: Learn how to conduct skills audits to map existing expertise against your charity's needs and identify future skill gaps.

• Access practical upskilling opportunities: Discover accessible ways for busy trustees to gain new knowledge and skills, including training courses, peer-to-peer learning, and online resources.

• Integrate risk management into decision-making: Understand the trustee's responsibility in considering risk and how to ensure every significant decision involves an assessment of potential risks.

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Unlock the secrets to effective charity trusteeship with insights from Mike Preston Consultancy's "Ask the Expert" series! This indispensable guide tackles the real-world questions aspiring and current trustees have.

Considering becoming a trustee? Learn about:

• Time Commitment: Expect to dedicate around 4 to 10 hours per month, covering meetings, planning, and events, though this can vary. It's always best to discuss expectations with the charity beforehand.

• Utilising Your Skills: Your professional expertise, whether in marketing or other business areas, is incredibly valuable to charities. Skills in branding, digital marketing, strategic planning, and financial oversight can significantly boost a charity's impact and fundraising.

• No Prior Experience? No Problem! Passion for the cause is a great starting point. Charities often seek diverse backgrounds and a commitment to their mission. You can prepare by researching the charity, understanding governance basics, and talking to current trustees.

Already a trustee? Get clarity on:

• Legal Responsibilities: Understand your core duties, such as acting in the charity's best interests, managing resources responsibly, and complying with the law. While personal liability is a concern, acting honestly and with reasonable care generally offers protection, often supplemented by charity insurance.

• Navigating Financial Challenges: In tough financial times, trustees play a paramount role. This includes fully understanding the problem, seeking expert advice, developing a recovery plan, maintaining transparent communication, and ensuring strong financial oversight, all while keeping the charity's mission at the forefront.

Mike Preston Consultancy's "Ask the Expert" provides crucial knowledge for anyone involved in the charitable sector. From time commitments to leveraging corporate skills and understanding legal duties to navigating financial difficulties, these insights prepare you for the rewarding role of a charity trustee.

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