Practical guide Board Meetings & Recruitment How do you induct a new board member?

How do you induct a new board member?

All new board members need to be issued with a full induction pack/handbook and be referred to the Roles and Responsibilities section of this guide and its Related Resources. They should also visit the headquarters of the organisation and meet as many staff as possible. Some organisations link a new board member with a “buddy” already on the board.

It is particularly important, particularly for those who have not been a board member before (above all young people), that support is given and training offered. It is the duty of the chair to ensure that all board members feel comfortable about giving their views and participate in discussions.

New board members should be encouraged to attend performances/visit the collection of an organisation to enable them to advocate with confidence about the artistic/curatorial work.

A sample Board Induction Pack template can be downloaded here.

You can also find the Charity Commission’s new Charity trustee welcome pack here.


Related resources

Guidance | The Charity Commission

The Essential Trustee – what you need to know

A Charity Commission publication setting out all you need to know formally about being a trustee. First published: March 2012, latest updates: May 2018.

Tool | Dr Oonagh Murphy (Arts & Business Northern Ireland)

Governance Health Check

This toolkit provides advice on how to develop and maintain a constructive and effective Board for your arts organisation. Published: by the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland, February 2019

Website | Young Trustees Movement

Young Trustees Movement

Guidance and resources from the Young Trustees Movement on how to recruit young trustees.

Guidance | Cultural Leadership Programme

Governance Now: the hidden challenge of leadership

Cultural Leadership Programme commissioned a series of papers on the theme of governance in the cultural and creative sector.

Guidance | ACEVO

Realising the Potential of Governance

This report by the ACEVO Governance Commission focuses on three main areas: appraisal and accountability; understanding roles and responsibilities; and board management.

Website | Sophie Bide, Published 2011

Fresh Perspectives – setting up a youth advisory panel

This is a step by step guide which will help you to set up a youth advisory panel.

Website | Getting on Board

Trustee learning programmes from Getting on Board

Getting on Board produce a range of trustee learning programmes covering such areas as diversification of a board, recruitment and induction of trustees and boards behaving badly.

Guidance | Charities Aid Foundation and ICAEW

What’s on the horizon for charity trustees?

A report from the Charities Aid Foundation and ICAEW, published in early 2022. This shares the challenges and opportunities facing trustees in the year ahead. The report discusses the six key areas they identify: financial resilience, collaboration, diversity, support and training, digital and climate change.


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