SHANE CLANCY is a trustee of Liberate Guernsey, a charity that provides support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community in the Channel Islands.
He said he got involved after speaking to the charity’s CEO, Ellie Jones, about supporting the charity and the existing trustees given his compliance experience within the financial service industry.
‘I am thoroughly enjoying my role,’ he said.
‘It’s particularly satisfying to see the great progress the charity has already made.
‘When I think back even less than a decade ago, LGTBQ equal rights had no real focus and there was no safe place for the community.
‘Knowing how much has changed over the last six years makes me proud to be a part of the journey.’
He said he was involved in a number of formal trustee meetings and key areas and as a trustee was also a volunteer actively involved in a number of day-to-day issues over and above the roles on the board.
‘To be a good trustee for a charity you need to have a passion for the charity you’re representing and be willing to devote your time and energy to furthering its mission,’ he added.
‘A strong board of trustees should be made up of people from diverse backgrounds and skill sets to make sure that they can bring something different to the table whilst still fulfilling a shared goal.’
Andrew Warren, a trustee and chairman of Autism Guernsey, which supports individuals on the autistic spectrum and their families, said the role had provided a ‘sense of value’ in his retirement.
‘You need a sense of commitment to the organisation you are joining and to the values they represent,’ he said.
‘Secondly, you need to be prepared to get involved, because you never know what you might be asked to do.
‘My experience has ranged from the expected – meetings, fundraising events – to the unexpected, furniture shifting.
‘Having had a long career in education, much of it at a senior level, I had developed the type of skill set required for the role of trustee.
‘One of the satisfactions of the work is that I am able to continue to use these skill sets in retirement.’
A trustee for the Guernsey Community Foundation, Nicky Will, said its objective was to promote philanthropy and charitable giving, primarily in Guernsey, and to bring about real improvements to the community and the lives of the people most in need.
She attends bimonthly board meetings and spends time reading and researching board papers and attending/supporting any other events and projects when needed and is just one part of a team of people from all walks of life.
She said she would like to see boards becoming more diverse, particularly welcoming younger representatives.
‘I think it’s hugely important for young people to have the opportunity to sit on charitable/third sector boards,’ she said.
‘Fresh eyes and a new perspective on issues of governance can only be a good thing.
‘Whilst sitting around a board table may appear daunting, there’s nothing to be afraid of and there is a huge pool of talent out there just waiting to be tapped.’
. To volunteer or find out more information, email joni@foundation.gg.
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