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We need more women trustees - to make sure our charities are run properly

It's not only for reasons of equality that communal organisations need to encourage more female trustees

March 22, 2018 11:26
Participants in the Jewish Leadership Council's leadership training programme, Gamechangers, 2014
1 min read

There is a reason to encourage more women to become trustees of Jewish charities beyond the desire for equality. It makes sense for the community to draw on a wider pool of capable people who can help run its institutions.

Although the Anglo-Jewish population has declined over the decades – with the exception, of course, of the flourishing Charedi sector – the number of Jewish organisations has not. The increase in Jewish schools, for example, has meant an increase in the need for people to sit on their governing bodies.

Being a trustee can make considerable demands, particularly with the regulatory requirements of the Charity Commission and others. It is unreasonable to expect the same people to carry the responsibility, year in, year out. So charities need more people to step forward to take their turn.

Trustees should be active and inquiring (as well as having the self-restraint not to meddle when unnecessary). There is no point in having passengers on trustee boards who are there just to make up the numbers, while an inner clique pulls the strings.