Board-level volunteer is the catch all term used to define an individual who serves on a governing board, for example as a charity trustee or a school governor, of a not-for-profit organisation, local school or a similar entity in a voluntary capacity.
At King’s we have developed Board Bank, a space to provide structure, guidance and support for staff and students seeking to drive positive change through board-level volunteering.
We know how valuable it can be to connect with like-minded peers who are trustees or school governors. There’s a lot that we can learn from one another.
To help us build a network of trustees at King’s, we’d love to hear from staff and students across the university who are engaged in board-level volunteering.
If that’s you, please complete this short form to better understand the contributions King’s staff and students are making in their community, as trustees/school governors.
Watch this inspiring campaign from Governors for Schools, on what inspires people to volunteer as school governors.
For your community
Charities and local schools need trustees with a huge range of skills and experience that the King’s community have in abundance.
From our conversations with charities and local schools, we know that there is a shortage of skilled volunteers on boards, and a desire to recruit and retain a diverse range of volunteers – to ensure their perspectives are reflective of the communities in which they serve.
For your development
Board-level volunteering exposes you to a wide range of skills needed for the successful running of a charity or school, such as negotiation and financial management.
This experience will enable you to explore your leadership style, build your confidence in decision-making and learn how to implement and apply strategic thinking.
We are confident that the skills gained from being a board-level volunteer can be effectively transferred to your time at King’s, enhancing your personal effectiveness and enabling you to strive towards your ambitions.
Overview
This year, King’s Volunteering and Organisational Development are working in partnership with Leon Ward, experienced Charity Trustee, author of Young Trustees Guide and CEO of financial education charity MyBnk, to deliver Board Bank: Aspiring Trustees Programme.
This programme will provide comprehensive training for 20 staff members at King’s on what it takes to become a charity trustee. The course is fully participatory, incorporating live application guidance, mock interview support and peer-to-peer discussions in breakout rooms, as well as charity expert-led panels with real time Q&As.
Applications for this programme will be live in February '25. To stay updated with the programme, please join the OD Mailing List.
Read how The Board Bank: Aspiring Trustees Programme helped King’s Food Retail Manager, Lisa Connellan, discover her volunteer position on the Independent Monitoring Board for Prisons. Read here.
Who can apply?
The Board Bank: Aspiring Trustees Programme is open to all staff members in the King’s community. It is aimed at anyone who is looking for an opportunity to gain leadership experience and new skills whilst also supporting a deserving cause.
To learn more about becoming a Charity Trustee and the programme, join our webinar on Monday 25th November.
Programme Dates
Due to the limited number of spaces available and the specialised nature of the programme, we would ask staff members to please ensure that they are able to commit themselves to completing the entire programme before applying.
- Session 1: Monday 10th March, 10.30-13.00 (in-person)
- Session 2: Monday 17th March, 10.00-12.00 (online)
- Session 3: Monday 24th March, 10.00-12.00 (online)
- Session 4: Monday 31st March, 10.00-12.00 (online)
- Session 5: Monday 7th April, 10.00-12.00 (online)
- Session 6: Tuesday 13th May, 10.00-13.00 (in-person)
How to apply
Staff members will be able to sign up for the programme via an application form that will be circulated through the OD mailing list.
The form will be made live soon after the information session on Thursday 6th February '25 (details below) and will be closed once the programme has reached capacity.
Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, however further consideration will be given to applications from individuals who are available to attend all the sessions, have obtained permission from their manager to attend the whole programme, have not had any past trustee experience and the amount of OD provision accessed in the previous 12 months.
Join our events to learn more
King's Volunteering will be hosting two events, designed to provide colleagues with a basic introduction to becoming a Charity Trustee and the Aspiring Trustees Programme.
To stay updated with events and the application form, join the OD Mailing List.
King’s Volunteering are working in partnership with Governors for Schools to deliver Pathway to Governance – an online programme, designed to help you understand what it takes to be a school governor and how to become one.
Applications for this programme are live. Scroll down for more information.
Why be part of this programme?
With more governors aged over 80, than under 30 - schools are looking for leadership and voices that are representative of their community and can bring with them a range of skills, knowledge and experience that will help improve the education of their children and young people.
On a personal level, this experience will enable you to explore your leadership style, build your confidence in decision-making and learn how to implement and apply strategic thinking – for the benefit of children and their education.
This interactive online programme will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to successfully take on a school governance role, from strategic leadership, communication, and negotiation to financial management skills.
More information about the programme can be found on the Governors for Schools webpage.
Who’s it for?
The Pathway to Governance programme is open to all King’s staff and students, and offers a unique opportunity for those who are:
- Passionate about addressing educational inequality
- Enthusiastic about educational policy, teacher education and education research
- Interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by schools in the UK
- Seeking to develop and nurture their leadership and professional skills
How do I apply?
To apply, complete this application form by midnight on Sunday 1st December.
As part of the application, you'll be asked to answer this question:
Want to know more about the programme?
Contact Emma Hawker on Emma.Hawker@governorsforschools.org.uk, if you have questions about the programme before applying.