We are looking for experienced trustees who would like to volunteer as mentors and provide mentoring support to new trustees and aspiring chairs of local voluntary and community organisations.
This year we are excited to launch our new governance project, Trustee Forward, in partnership with the Richmond Foundation. he 12-month project will provide targeted training, a mentorship scheme, and opportunities for peer support to a cohort of both new trustees and aspiring chairs. As part of Trustee Forward, we are seeking volunteer mentors who can provide mentoring support to new trustees and aspiring chairs of local voluntary and community organisations. Volunteer mentors will be supported and supervised by the Project Coordinator, who is a staff member of RCVS, on an ongoing basis. A light touch introductory training will be provided, as well as relevant RCVS policies, as needed for the role. We are committed to best practice in volunteer management, and we will try our best to make the volunteer experience as enjoyable and constructive as possible. We welcome and value the views of volunteers and will try to implement any feedback wherever possible. This is a voluntary position, but we would not like volunteers to be out of pocket and reasonable expenses can be reimbursed, upon production of valid receipts and with prior agreement of the Project Coordinator. The role will be mostly done remotely, with the potential of occasional in person meetings or events within the borough of Richmond.
Below is a list of key tasks that we hope volunteer mentors would undertake. We really value suggestions and ideas from our volunteers, and there may be scope for additional tasks.
Below is a list of ideal personal skills and qualities that we are looking for in volunteer mentors. We do require previous trustee experience for this role, but you are most welcome to apply even if you do not meet the desirable criteria. You may also have other relevant skills and experiences not listed here, and we would very much want to hear about them too.
We are aware of the increased pressures that trustees face, the growing number of vacancies, and how the composition of trustee boards is often not fully representative of the communities they serve. The aim of Trustee Forward is to remove barriers to trusteeship, increase diversity, and enable trustees to lead with confidence – in turn, helping to ensure our local sector is well run and well governed. As a volunteer mentor, you will be playing a key role in supporting new trustees and aspiring chairs of local charities, helping them develop their confidence and soft skills and settle into their roles. This is an exciting opportunity to help empower new trustees and aspiring chairs and make a difference to our local voluntary and community sector.
Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional application form and invited to an interview.