Have you recently applied to a trustee position but
struggled to write a cover letter? Do you often feel that you don’t know where
to start or have even questioned the importance of one? You are not alone! As a
trustee recruiter, I receive emails and calls from applicants asking me these
questions from aspiring and seasoned trustees alike.
Is a cover letter important? My response to this is
a very strong yes! Charities have different causes and organisations want to ensure
their cause is championed by the most effective and passionate people. Hence a
cover letter is the first step in displaying that you are this person! Clients advertising trustee positions are
looking to receive cover letters along with CVs, which tend to give a sketch of
your work history, whereas a cover letter helps you showcase your personality
and contribution as a trustee.
What you
need to remember when writing a trustee cover letter
To begin with, it may be useful to know that
trustee cover letters are slightly different from professional ones in their
format and tone. Trustee cover letters are simple, have flexible formats and
are content focused. They tend to be less business-like and more personable.
The other important thing to remember is that leaving out a cover letter in a
trustee application process is not an option!
Writing such
cover letters may seem daunting at first however with little exploration this
can be easily accomplished. These letters basically ask for three key elements:
- Your reasons for being drawn
to a cause
- How you can contribute to
the cause as a trustee
- Your fit and alignment with the organisation
Here’s
how to draft a cover letter that will have an impact.
(a) Show
your commitment and passion.
Once you have selected a charity with a trustee
position you want to apply for, you must show your reasons for wanting to get
involved, demonstrating your passion for the cause and your commitment to get
involved - and perhaps more importantly, stay involved! Therefore begin your
application by getting to the heart of your charity and knowing what sort of
organisation it is and how it runs. A charity’s website is a good place to
start any research. Sometimes trustee job descriptions won’t tell you enough to
get started, so I’d encourage you to seek help from your contacts or brokering
agencies such as Reach to help you gain access to clients, annual reports or
answer any initial questions you may have.
Example 1: This example highlights how personal experiences
can be aligned to charitable objectives and professional expertise. It
highlights how one’s life experience can turn into a passion for a cause and an
organisation and also demonstrates why the individual wants to get involved:
I have pleasure in attaching my
CV to apply as a Trustee for Campaigning and Advocacy for XX charity.
I have followed your organisation
and admired your work for several years now. I was motivated to apply for this trustee
role having been diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy where I was severely
hospitalised. Following this experience I realised how much more awareness was
needed amongst the general public and what to watch out for. I would therefore love
to apply my skills, expertise and passion towards your organisation and helping
to steer it towards even greater success.
I served for six years as a trustee
for a national charity which I found extremely rewarding notably in extending
their membership base. I am committed to ensuring that I give the best I can to
any organisation I get involved with. I believe I am well-suited to the role as
I have significant experience of national campaigning to a target audience,
including the execution of multi-channel marketing campaigns.
A charity wants to know
that any trustee who joins them will be a valuable asset, and who will be able
to give their time, commitment and passion. So if you can show this, you will
be in a strong position.
(b) Showcase
your experience and skills
Clients
are looking for candidates who can demonstrate their contribution as trustees. You
need to highlight your professional skills and expertise and show what you will
bring to the board. A trustee board should ideally have a mix of different
skills, mindsets and experience to show diversity and ensure balance. So you need to show in your cover letter what
skills you have. When attempting to
write down your contribution as a trustee, tailor your letter around the job
and person specification.
Example 2 – This is an example of a thorough cover letter which
provides a holistic and clear overview of all their skills:
I believe
myself to be competent in this area and can offer the very specific skills and
experience you are looking for:
·
Audit,
Finance & Risk Management – I am a member of the Governance & Audit
Committees at XX and I have contributed to the Board’s consideration of
Governance arrangements by …
·
High
Level Financial Competence – I am a qualified accountant with a broad base of
finance skills but also have the experience to take a lead role in XX.
I can
demonstrate a commitment to the role and can give the can meet the time
commitment to read all papers, prepare for, attend and contribute to meetings
in line with the work of the finance and audit committee. I can also undertake
to attend training and development and engage pro-actively in the induction
process.
·
I can
analyse complex information and reach sensible conclusions by demonstrating the
ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people in a
constructive manner.
·
I can
work with others effectively and believe teamwork enhances overall performance
and can lead to better decisions and services.
In terms
of personal qualities:
·
I am able
to demonstrate a sharing to the values including that of probity in public life
and can also demonstrate a commitment to your charity’s cultural elements ...
·
I have a
‘duty of care’ ethos which is at the heart of everything I do and I believe
investing in a diverse workforce enables better performance and a more
inclusive customer service.
This is an example of a clear cover
letter which shows instantly how it aligns to the needs of the organisation. As
with job applications, trustee positions can get a number of applicants so make
sure you stand out!
(c) Explain
why you would be a good fit in the organisation
Clients are looking for people who can fit into
their culture. Make use of relevant and transferable abilities and personal
experiences. This is where any personal research you have done and any
preliminary client conversations you have had will make you stand out. Trustee vacancies are aligned to charity
objectives and you may find as you write about your professional experience
that it doesn’t quite fit the job description…don’t worry though! Make your
cover letter unique by highlighting your transferable skills from your workplace
along with your personal experiences, to show what you would bring to the role.
Example 3 – Here’s an example of a cover letter that showcases
skills acquired in the commercial sector tailored to the third sector:
I am currently looking for an opportunity
to use my expertise to support a not-for-profit organisation, as for the first
time in my business life I am able to commit the time necessary to offer my
skills as a trustee in an environment where I can bring real value to a board.
I was drawn to XX
opportunity, as a stated role requirement was the ‘evaluation of complex information,
assisting to build consensus and robust governance within the board group’ –
which dovetails well with my skills gained over many years in the analysis of
complex (often financial) information required in the acquisition,
restructuring and improving of operations I have undertaken in many differing
arenas.
I have been a Director for many
years and have experience in both SME and large international PLC operations. I
feel that one of my key strengths which I could bring to the trustee board is
in negotiation, having spent my entire working life in a commercial environment,
negotiating with contractors and suppliers. I am particularly looking for a
role where I can bring relevant experience to the table to strengthen the skills
base of the existing board.
A charity needs to have people who fit into their
organisation whilst at the same time challenging them to reach their full
potential. So try to describe how you will fit in as well as how you can
contribute as a trustee.
I believe that even the most distinguished CVs need
cover letters for trustee vacancies. The above examples of cover letters are in
no way exhaustive however, they show effective ways to highlight your relevant
skills, passion and experience that any charity would need. Remember the three
key elements and steps for trustee applications to guide you and you should
craft a cover letter that 'wows'.
I am happy to review any cover letters you are
looking to send, so please contact
me at Reach. As a trustee recruiter with Reach Volunteering I’m committed to
help you find a role that fits you.
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