Become a Trustee
Becoming a Trustee provides a rewarding and enjoyable opportunity to play an active role in something that matters to you.
Although it is strictly on a voluntary/unpaid basis, being a Trustee offers you many opportunities to develop yourself whilst supporting a valuable institution.
You will enhance your leadership skills and potential in the job market through volunteering as a board member.
You will work with a friendly and dedicated board of trustees that come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wealth of connections. The trustees also engage with a wide-ranging network.
You will gain an understanding of how the Museum Federation of Wales operates and how it celebrates, supports and advocates for the museum sector in Wales. Many trustees work on sub committees to complete the Business Plan goals and have an enhanced understanding of Charity law.
You will help to shape the outcomes of the charity’s objectives and make a difference to Museums throughout Wales through advocacy, research and best practise. This will contribute to ensuring the sector is resilient and available for future generations.
The Federation recognises that trustees work on a voluntarily basis and offer their knowledge and time to support the aims of the organisation. We adopt best practise in governance and therefore to support you during your time with us by:
Providing a thorough induction;
Identify and provide training as a trustee;
Ensure training for specific trustee roles
Trustees are usually appointed for a term of three years. Reappointment can be made for two terms (6 consecutive years) in the same role. Three years must elapse before seeking re-election to the same role.
There are normally four Board meetings per annum which are usually held in March, June, September and December. There is also an AGM in autumn plus a museum conference between March and April. Online trustee board meetings spans approximately 3-4 hours each with additional preparation time. Onsite meetings normally take a full day to allow the opportunity to visit the museum displays or learn of new initiatives. As a trustee, volunteering as part of a sub-committee to complete a particular task, this will incur an additional time commitment. Trustees need to commit the necessary time to be effective.
Diversity supports the Board’s effectiveness, leadership and decision making, recognising that diversity is essential for boards to stay informed and responsive and to navigate changes facing the museums sector. The term ‘diversity’ includes the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 as well as different backgrounds, life experiences, career paths and diversity of thought.
The Board strives to be more effective by including a variety of perspectives, experiences and skills, as boards whose trustees have different backgrounds and experience are more likely to encourage debate and to make better decisions.
A professional background in any of the following fields is desirable (although not exclusive) to ensure a resilient trustee board.
Museums & Galleries
Business Leadership
Digital Development
Collection Management
Visitor Attraction Management
Marketing & Communications
Conservation
Diversity
Finance/Fundraising
Education
Law
Academic Research
Tourism
Creative Industries
Archaeology
Capital redevelopment
IT/ Digital Development
Community Engagement
What Next?
Look out for opportunities to become a trustee in our news feed.
Trustees are normally elected in the run up to AGM in Autumn.
The Team
Chris Delany
StaffGrants and Development Officer for the Federation of Museums and Galleries in Wales.
Susan Sandford
TrusteeDigital Engagement & Collections Access Officer, Royal Mint Museum.
Carly Davies
TrusteeCurator at Cyngor Sir Ddinbych