Trustees' Week – Rosa Palli
11 November 2016
Why are you a Trustee?
As a teenager, I started volunteering at a local youth club. I have since then volunteered in a range of local and international organisations and have found it always very rewarding. I joined the board at the Young Harrow Foundation in March. Having volunteered in a range of capacities over the years and working with many voluntary organisations in my daily job, I was very interested in getting involved in the set up of a new organisation and support the small team in delivering great work in their community.
What do you enjoy about it?
I am regularly impressed by the amazing work that the Young Harrow Foundation do, and thrive with the passion and commitment of the team. It’s really inspiring to hear about their progress and the positive impact they achieve. As a trustee, you get a special insight into the organisation and the opportunity to really support the chief executive to develop their strategic vision and turn it into a reality.
Any advice for others considering becoming a trustee?
Sometimes its hard to imagine what being a trustee actually consists of. There is more work involved than just attending board meetings – trustees do play an important role in the success and sustainability of an organisation. They bring expertise and relationships to the table which the team may be lacking and can make a real difference to the organisation they support. If you are thinking of becoming a trustee, I would definitely encourage you to do it. Even if you have no direct experience or knowledge of the particular work an organisation delivers, they will need other skills that you can bring and they may not be able to source elsewhere. In an economic climate where charities operate on a shoestring, a strong, skilled and engaged trustee board will make an invaluable contribution.
London Youth are currently looking for a new Chair of Trustees. If you think that leading the governance of London Youth at this exciting time is of interest we would love to hear from you. Click here to see more about this fantastic opportunity.
