Guest Blog - Why should you be a student Trustee?

Trustees’ Week 2016 is being promoted this week round the UK.  Trustees are the people in charge of a charity and they play a vital role, working together to make important decisions about the charity’s work. 

Here’s your chance to get involved and make a difference to RGU: Union, a charitable body whose purpose is to represent your interests, work towards improving your conditions of life, support the provision of amenities, and provide advice and welfare services.

Lesley Wilson, external Trustee and Chair of the Board said: "RGU:Union’s Trustee Board is now two years old, and we have worked to create a Board with a diverse mix of skills and talents.  We have enthusiastic and committed student trustees and sabbatical officers, and external trustees and a University trustee, all of whom bring experience and objectivity to the Board’s decision-making.  Student trustees and sabbaticals are especially important on the Board as they are so connected to the student experience.  Our meetings are quarterly, last around two hours, and are lively, friendly, focused and informative." 

John Barr, external Trustee and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee said "As a Student Trustee on the RGU: Union Trustee Board your voice can make a difference to you and other students. As a Board member you are separate from the operational work of the organisation, but have the opportunity to help set the strategic direction of the RGU: Union. The diversity of RGU: Union activities give the opportunity to be involved in everything from trading activities to welfare.  As a student trustee you are key to providing input and knowledge of the student experience and should be able to represent the demographic of the student body from freshers to postgraduates. The 2 hour meetings are held quarterly with a relaxed atmosphere welcoming input from all. Please consider putting yourself forward to ensure your voice is represented"

What is expected of you, as a student trustee?

• While the Board meetings are formal in that minutes are taken and agendas are sent out, discussions are open and informal, and everyone who has a view or contribution to make is encouraged to speak. 
• As a trustee you will be expected to ask questions, take part in discussions, say what’s on your mind, and ensure the Board is discussing the right things.  Trust your gut instinct!  
• Being a good trustee takes time, you will need to read the Board papers which are issued (although we try to keep the latter to a minimum).

What can you expect to get, from being a student trustee?

• You can expect to learn how boards operate, and quite a bit about how strategy is formed and decisions made.
• You will learn a lot about RGU and RGU: Union.
• You will learn a bit about yourself – how you like to communicate and take part in decisions.
• You will get the satisfaction of being part of a team, working together to improve the lot of RGU students.

Please do consider putting yourself forward as a student trustee in the RGU:Union By-Elections. You can find out more about the role by clicking here, and you can go to www.rguunion.co.uk/elections or pop by the RGU:Union offices on Union Way to nominate yourself.