How To Become a Board Director

Start with a charity board

It is interesting to see how many people are now searching for and trying to secure board positions. If you search for ‘non-executive-director’ you are likely to be forever inundated with ads trying to persuade you to part with your cash to help you find a ‘paid-for’ board position. The increasing interest and competition for some board positions appear to be part of the mix in the great resignation, with people looking to work fewer hours and have more control and autonomy.

If you are looking to join a private company or public authority board it is important not to underestimate the competition in this marketplace and consider developing your board experience by starting with a charity board.

Personal context: CEO and charity trustee

To set this story in context I am currently the most senior exec at a Scottish charity called Green Hive. I am also in my fourth year as a trustee of a Scottish charity called the Postcode Innovation Trust. Previously I was the CEO of a charity I founded and led through ten years of successive income and beneficiary growth, called Dementia Adventure. You can check out my various work achievements and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Paid vs non-paid board positions

If you are thinking of targeting ‘paid’ board positions over non-paid positions then I would argue that your initial position is potentially unhelpful and a barrier to future board success. Like asking for directions in the Scottish countryside, you don't want to start from here.

The better place to start from is the organisation itself, rather than whether the position itself is paid or not. Most boards are looking for skilled and experienced people who have the time and capacity to support the organisation for a minimum period of three or four years. Often this will involve reading, digesting and analysing information that can feel ‘dry’ in the context of the operational delivery of what the organisation does.

To sustain a positive contribution with your board peers over time, this organisation must be connected to your interests and your values. It is going to be hard work and you are going to need to commit lots of energy to this organisation as well as put your responsibility on the line.

When an opportunity presents itself, stop and ask yourself the question: “Am I excited and driven to work with this organisation”? The time and effort required to simply get through the recruitment phase can be considerable.

Whilst both private and public boards are seeking paid board members as non-executive directors if you have not been on a board before I would argue that it would be better for you to start with a charity board.

Charity boards

With currently over 24,000 registered charities just in Scotland, there is an enormous variety on offer in the third sector, more often positively described as the social sector. There are small organisations with no staff teams which rely solely on volunteers to operate through to large international organisations.

Benefits of joining a charity board

Here are some of the benefits of joining a charity for your first board position:

The positions will not be paid and this automatically decreases the competition for the positions on offer. You will still need to be clear about what value you bring and how you fit for the organisation but you will be a larger fish in a smaller pool of competitors for positions.
You will feel the responsibility. Many charities are run on very insecure finances with short term cash flow being precarious whilst providing some of the most needed social support services. Being legally responsible for an organisation operating in this context focuses the mind and will very quickly give you a feel for your duties and responsibilities. It will also give you a chance to develop your thinking on topics such as your appetite for risk.
Charities often lack the staff teams and capacity they would like to have in an ideal world. This can mean there is greater scope for charity board trustees to lead strands of work. For example, getting a new property project off the ground or a research project into charitable impact. You will be able to gain hands-on experience in securing funding and supporting the business planning, strategy and operational delivery which will give you tangible evidence for your next board position.
You will be personally impacting a key societal problem or issue. This is perhaps the biggest benefit, knowing that you are doing your bit to help the cause you are passionate about.
There will be a lot of different issues charity board trustees will need to get involved with including short and longer-term financial planning, risk assessments, operational policies and procedures, recruitment, strategy and business planning as well as marketing and the key tasks associated with fundraising. Whilst your specialist knowledge and experience will be in demand, being a charity trustee will provide you with a breadth of experience in leading a charity. Undoubtedly you will also pick up new skills during the process.
The third sector is increasingly referred to as the social sector for a reason. The people that work within it are often highly connected and once people start working for charities they can often stay working in them their entire careers with moves between charities. As a trustee, you will be able to develop your contacts and connections and bring these to bear fruit for your chosen charity. These connections will inevitably present future board opportunities.

Tips for securing a charity board position

Ok, so you are ready to find yourself a charity board role, how do you get started?

Identify your interests: Think about what interests you. What are the key problems in society which spark your interest? Perhaps it is finances or money management, it could be property or homelessness. Thinking about a passion or key topic will lead you to a range of charitable organisations which specialise in these areas which you can research. For me, one area of interest was supporting innovative ideas to scale, hence joining the Postcode Innovation Trust.
Do your research: Search for your charity with the respective regulator. In Scotland, you can search OSCR and find out all sorts of information filed publicly by the charities you may be interested in. You can also search by town name which will bring up a list of charities with the town name in their title. This can be a good way of finding local charities which you may not be aware exist in your area. Many charities are also companies registered with companies house which is where you will find their accounts. Always read the full accounts and reports of the charity before making contact.
Speak to support organisations: Make contact with third sector support organisations in your area. In the Highlands of Scotland, an example of this is an organisation called the Highland Third Sector Interface. Where there are not-for-profits and charities there are often these support organisations you can speak to who are highly connected to the charities and causes in their locale. Approach them and ask them for their advice and guidance.
Be prepared: Prepare your board CV and covering letter with the same level of professionalism you would for a paid board position in a corporate or public body. You will need to clearly evidence your specific role in the successes and challenges you have led and navigated previously. The board will be looking for you to demonstrate you have done your research, understand how you fit and what value and capacity you can offer the team. Take your time to get your introduction, and your first impression, off to the best start.
Be pro-active: Don’t wait for a position to be advertised. Trustee positions are advertised all the time and clearly is the first easy step in finding a role you might be energised by. But if you find a charity you love tackling a cause you are passionate about you needn’t wait for them to advertise a position. In the governing documents, which will be publically available, such as their articles or constitution, you will be able to find out how many trustees they can have on their board as a maximum. Count the current trustees. If they are not at maximum then clearly you have an opportunity to approach them. Even if they are currently at the maximum number of trustees there may be a succession plan in place and perhaps trustees are planning on standing down or completing their term soon. Approach the CEO or Chair directly and express your interest.
Network with peers: Connect with peers and join organisations that are also looking for board positions. As mentioned earlier, this can be fraught with difficulty. One organisation which I have been a member of for a while is Changing the Chemistry. They provide a wide range of resources, events and support to a growing pool of peers looking to improve board effectiveness and are well worth a look.

In conclusion

If you are looking to secure a board position then private corporates and public organisations offering paid non-executive positions are highly competitive. The breadth and depth of charitable organisations and board positions available are a preferred first step for many individuals looking to gain board experience. The experience, skills, contacts and knowledge you gain whilst being on a charity board will help you gain any future board roles whilst supporting the organisation to address key societal challenges. If you are searching for a board position, you would do well to re-direct your energy into searching for a charity board position.

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Neil Mapes Bio

Beach wanderer, sea swimmer, trail runner and charity leader. Loving life in the Highlands of Scotland.

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