Association of Chairs spotlight interview

The Association of Chairs kindly asked me some questions in their member spotlight article.

Your name: Emma Duke

Your board role: Chair

Your organisation (where you are a board member or chair): Connection Support

How long have you been with this organisation on their board? Four years – I became Chair this year.

How long have you been a board member?

Four years – this was my first board role.

How did you first get interested in being a board member?

I left a large organisation to set up my own business - it gave me greater autonomy over my time and it occurred to me that trusteeship was an option. 

Why are you involved with your current organisation? What does the cause mean to you?

I was originally inspired by the needs within my community – mental ill-heath, homelessness, addiction are rife in my part of Oxford and more broadly across Oxfordshire. That was my inspiration – and then reading more and meeting the CEO it was clear that my values very much aligned with the organisation’s values.

What do you enjoy about being a board member or chair?

Connection Support is a team made up of extraordinary people, who meet their clients in a place of equality and shared humanity. Hearing about their work and being able to support that team makes my heart burn with pride. My day job involves understanding the needs of organisations – both inside and out, I’ve loved doing the same with Connection Support; recognising the great, understanding where I can help and the skills we need on the board to continue to grow the positive impact this charity has on people’s lives. I feel very grateful that we have such strong relationships with the Senior Leadership Team, we’ve built a firm bond of trust between us.

What aspects of being a board member/ chair do you find challenging?

We support people in crisis, many of whom are very vulnerable. That can weigh heavily sometimes – especially on staff. Sometimes things feel a bit bleak, particularly in today’s political environment. The team - and the impact they have, daily, on people’s lives gives me hope.We’ve recruited a very strong Board, so luckily this happens rarely - occasionally I have to have difficult conversations, but I’ve learnt that I have more capacity, patience and empathy to do this than I’d realised.

When and why did you join the Association of Chairs?

Earlier this year – just after becoming Chair.

What have you found helpful about your membership?

I love the WhatsApp group. I’ve really benefitted from other Chairs’ knowledge. Members of the AoC are so warm and ready to offer support and advice. I’ve so appreciated this.

What is your advice to anyone aspiring to be a chair or trustee?

Go into it with your eyes open. It’s one of the steepest, but richest learning curves I’ve ever been on. Ask questions, be curious. Make sure you connect with the purpose of the charity and know what you want to get out of this role, or you will find it hard to prioritise your Board role.

Are there any tips you would pass on to trustees / chairs?

Always remember the boundary between management and governance – for your sake and the charity’s. There’s a reason you’re in the trustee role, not management and make the most of this: use the distance and different perspective to add value, give yourself a break sometimes and prevent adding unnecessary items to your SLT’s to-do list.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I believe passionately that we need to value trusteeship more in society. Employers that support their staff’s trusteeship benefit from free learning and development for that staff member, more strategic thinking and a better sense of organisation growth. And yet so many employers and managers make it hard for their team to do this – never mind encourage it!