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.
- This may include information on governance, internal structure of the organisation, key policies, strategic business planning, budgets, funding and accounts.
- New charity trustees should be signposted to the Charity Commission publication CC3: The Essential Trustee and the 2025 CGI Charity Governance Code (links below).
- 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 tailored 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 participating confidently in discussions.
- New board members should be encouraged to attend performances/visit the collection/see the everyday activities of an organisation to enable them to advocate with confidence about the artistic/curatorial work.
You can also find the Charity Commission’s new Charity trustee welcome pack here
