If you are a Board of Trustees of an arts or heritage organisation or charity in Scotland that recognises the need to bring more diverse voices to your decision making processes, then read on!<\/p>\n
The Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the main concerns for board diversity is the lack of young trustees, given that the average age of a trustee is around 60 years old.<\/p>\n The Charities Aid Foundation estimates that while 18-24-year-olds make up 12% of Britain\u2019s population, only two per cent of charities have young people on their board. Whilst a survey shows that 85% of people under 35 would consider becoming a trustee.<\/p>\n In addition, \u2018Taken on Trust\u2019 research published by the Charity Commission (2017) highlighted that 92% of trustees are white, further highlighting the diversity issue.<\/p>\n Will this stand the arts and heritage sector in good stead for the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n With those figures in mind, it is clear that arts and heritage charities in Scotland should be exploring more ways to recruit young people.<\/p>\n The Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n Arts & Business Scotland (A&BS) is working in partnership with the William Grant Foundation to deliver New Voices: Fresh Perspectives;<\/em> a recruitment programme to place young people on arts & heritage boards. This will recruit 12 young people (aged 18-30) in early stages of their careers and from a wide range of sectors, and prepare them for their role on the boards of cultural charities.<\/p>\n The benefits of young trustees<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022\tThey provide a different insight and perspective, which leads to better governance;<\/p>\n \u2022\tThey bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to your board to challenge long standing beliefs and systems;<\/p>\n \u2022\tThey help to engage younger people with your work and develop the next generation of potential arts and heritage sector leaders;<\/p>\n \u2022\tIf your beneficiaries include young people, they can provide useful insight and perspectives on beneficiary needs and increase the board\u2019s credibility in the eyes of this group.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the boardroom to the workshop spaces, Toonspeak\u2019s young people majestically influence, challenge and inspire what we do and why we do it. It could not and should not be any other way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n