Trustees’ Week 2022 – Hear from Co-Chair, Clare, on being a Trustee of Bristol Women’s Voice

Trustees’ Week, 7 – 11 November 2022, celebrates the achievements of one million trustees across the UK, whose time, commitment and effort help charities to thrive.

Around the country, this often invisible, hardworking group of volunteers is playing a critical role for our charities, and for civil society. Trustees come from all walks of life and professions and hold ultimate responsibility for charities’ governance, finances, and delivering on charitable objectives. The Trustees for Bristol Women’s Voice are accountable to the Charity Commission, as well as our members and beneficiaries (all women in Bristol). It’s not a responsibility we take lightly but it’s incredibly rewarding.

Lots of ways to make a difference

BWV is a micro charity that achieves amazing things with its small but committed staff team and fantastic team of volunteers. Because the team is small, there are opportunities for trustees to get involved in a wide range of groups and activities, from volunteering at events, to advising on key issues, or offering professional expertise in areas like HR and finance.

Over the last year, trustees have also worked with our Director, Katy, to develop a strategic plan, shaping our work around key priorities: economic inequality, women’s health, and women’s safety.  We have enhanced our offer to members, including holding our fantastic recent AGM, and we are looking forward to more events of this kind. We’re especially looking forward to our International Women’s Day celebrations – staff and volunteers are already planning these – which will be held at City Hall on Saturday 11 March 2023. Contact us if you’d like to be involved.

Small team, big ambitions

We have also been looking at how we work together as a Board, making sure that we role-model BWV’s values and behaviours. We regularly review our skills and experience and identify gaps which we can address through trustee recruitment or training.  We sign up to a code of conduct which makes sure that we put the charity’s interests and objectives above any personal views.  And we are working on embedding feminist governance principles, including sharing power and responsibility, and developing a culture where all voices are heard.

Want to be a Trustee?

We run a recruitment campaign most years for new trustees and are always interested in speaking to women who want to bring their skills and get involved with our Board.  If you are interested in a chat, or in hearing more, please contact me, Clare Meraz, at Chair@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk