I’m the Chair of Trustees at Key Changes Music Therapy, a small charity promoting positive mental health and wellbeing through music. I’ve been part of Key Changes for over two years and have been a trustee of two other charities. The role of chair is first and foremost, a privilege - and it is fun!
I fully embraced the opportunity to move from a supporting role to a leading role. I saw it as a great opportunity to develop new skills, build a new team, set a new strategic direction and become part of a wonderful, uplifting and impactful enterprise.
The difference between a trustee and a chair
A good trustee brings their specific expertise and experiences to bear in a purposeful way, and acts in the best interests of the organisation - irrespective of their personal views. They do what needs doing in a timely way, act as advocates for the work of the charity and help raise its profile.
A key difference between being a trustee and a chair is the focus on bringing the right skills and experiences together to make robust decisions. Also, providing an environment with clear purpose and direction where the team feel they can bring their advice and experiences.