I am on a roll and back to blogging, it feels great, and I have missed it! Have you ever thought of being on a board or trustee of a social sector organisation and then thought what skills have I got to offer? I am not from the commercial world, and I will not be able to contribute. I am here to tell you that you are wrong.
Being a board member of a Community Interest Company (CIC) comes with a unique blend of responsibility, influence, and the opportunity to create real social impact. Think of a board as a complete recipe for a dish, with all board members/trustees having one ingredient, some may have two or three ingredients but without all the ingredients what you are trying to make is not going to be good or at worst a disaster. I am going to focus on a Community Interest Company (CIC) as that’s what I run, but this applies to charities and all the other legal frameworks possible in the social sector.
Here is why it’s a great role to take on, and why everyone’s skill set is of value.
- Driving Positive Change – CICs exist to serve the community, and as a board member, you help shape their mission and ensure their work continues to benefit society.
- Strategic Leadership – You play a key role in guiding the direction of the company, helping to make important decisions that affect its future.
- Personal & Professional Growth – The experience can sharpen your leadership, governance, and decision-making skills while broadening your professional network.
- Community Engagement – You get to connect with, and support causes that matter, making a tangible difference in people’s lives in areas that you find interesting.
- Credibility & Recognition – Being a board member demonstrates expertise, commitment to social good, and leadership ability—valuable for career progression.
It’s a role that combines purpose and business acumen while putting your skills to work for the greater good and a chance to provide positive change to an organisation.
I am not going to deny that being a board member of a Community Interest Company (CIC) is rewarding, but it comes with its fair share of challenges, and it is only fair to give the facts and some of the harsh realities the social sector is facing.
It is a constant juggling act balancing Social Impact with Financial Sustainability – CICs need to prioritise their social mission while also ensuring financial stability, which can be tricky and is a very competitive market for funding.
- Governance & Compliance – CICs must adhere to specific legal and regulatory requirements, and board members must ensure that the person they delegate these responsibilities to is up to the task and on top of the paperwork. In our case at the BEC this falls to me to ensure that we remain compliant through delegated authority to manage the business on the Directors behalf.
- Funding & Revenue Generation – Securing funding is tough, especially when relying on grants, donations, or income-generating activities that support the community and your mission in such a way that you can continue to make an impact in your area of work.
- Managing Stakeholder Expectations – Balancing the needs and priorities of different stakeholders—such as funders, employees, volunteers, and the community—can be complex.
- Operational & Strategic Challenges – Making strategic decisions that align with both business principles and community interests requires careful planning and the board is constantly horizon scanning to ensure the organisation delivers its purpose within the financial envelope it must deliver.
Well, if you have read this far and you are interested in finding out more, I would be happy to chat as we are currently recruiting for three new Directors to help steer the BEC for the next three years. We are particularly keen to ensure our Board is representative of our communities in the borough and we would welcome and encourage contributions from individuals with protected characteristics, as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Your insights and experiences are invaluable in helping us create a more inclusive and representative environment. So even if you didn’t work for a corporate bank or run a company, please do not think this is not for you!
You can find out more by using the link below. Note that we have extended applications to end July.
