What people say
“I am delighted to see Getting on Board make such a great impact. It is really important that people learn how to be good board members of not-for-profit organisations as well as for profit ones - and that they give their skills and talents to the wider world by leading the work of voluntary organisations. Giving something back, honing leadership skills, meeting new people, adding meaning to one's life are all amongst the motivations people own up to when asked why they volunteer. Getting on Board helps them do all those things really well - but, above all, it helps them make a difference.”
Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE, Chair of the Commission on the Future of Volunteering, and the former Government's Champion of Volunteering
Politicians
“I very much support your initiative and am greatly encouraged to read of the work that you do. Please pass on my personal thanks to your colleagues for the tremendous service they are providing.”
Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister (quote given when Leader of the Opposition)
“The interaction you highlight between the public, private and voluntary sectors gives your project an added dimension which is not always common in volunteering initiatives and which, as you point out, can serve to develop understanding across sectors and thereby strengthen communities. Government recognises that the private sector is a key partner in creating sustainable communities and welcomes the contribution the sector makes through volunteering.”
Rt Hon David Miliband MP (quote given when Minister for Communities and Local Government)
Employers
“The Getting on Board seminar provided a real insight into how to get involved as a charity trustee or school governor and the level of commitment required for this. We see this as a great opportunity for our talent to develop a breadth of experience and skills that are also highly relevant within the workplace.”
Katherine Thomas, Group Talent Director, BT
“We thought your presentation was very informative and engaging on why and how one might volunteer to serve as a school governor or take a position as a trustee on the board of a charity. We also welcomed your openness about commitment and the challenges that could be presented in doing this. Feedback from our people has been very positive and several of our people intend to volunteer.”
Colin McKenna, Head of Corporate Responsibility & Diversity, Royal Mail (Central Functions)
“The benefits for Marsh engaging with Getting on Board are principally two-fold. Firstly, it is important for us, as a business with a significant local presence, to encourage our staff to put something back into the local communities. Secondly, the experience of acting as a school governor or a trustee of a charity requires them to work outside of their comfort zones and importantly acquire new knowledge and skills that can directly benefit their performance and thereby the company.”
Graham Tuttle, Senior Vice President, Marsh
“Sarah Hodgkinson's 'Getting on Board' seminar demonstrated how volunteering as a school governor or trustee of a voluntary organisation can be a challenging, fascinating and life-fulfilling experience. GO-East staff found it refreshing to listen to trustees' and governors' experiences first hand; and to have any preconceived stereotypical ideas of what sort of person makes a trustee or governor quickly dissipated. I would thoroughly recommend Sarah's 'Getting on Board' seminar to other organisations - and defy anyone not to feel inspired to volunteer as a board member afterwards.”
Sue Lowe, Head of Corporate Development Policy and Lead for Later Life and Equalities, Government Office East
Professional Association leaders
“Getting on Board is an excellent initiative, and the Institute of Directors fully supports its objectives. Board-level volunteering is a cost-effective way of developing leadership skills, especially of middle and senior managers, the directors of the future. Increasingly, prospective employees want to work for employers that put something back into their communities, and companies that encourage board-level volunteering are more likely to become 'employers of choice'. It is also a simple way for companies to meet their corporate and social reponsibility goals.”
Miles Templeman, Director-General, Institute of Directors
“Financial skills are in great demand on boards of charities. I am confident that Getting on Board will be of real assistance to ICAEW members in finding them suitable trustee opportunities to use their expertise. The result will be a significant improvement in the governance of the voluntary sector.”
Michael Izza, Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales
“This established initiative deserves our support, as it does of other professions. I am delighted that the Bar Council is of that view too. I have no doubt that Getting on Board will be working a lot with Bar in the Community.”
Robin Knowles, QC CBE, Chairman of the Bar Pro-Bono Unit and of Bar in the Community
Leaders in Civil Society
“Board membership is a great way for people to make a difference in their communities and Getting on Board is seeking to address the fundamental need in civil society for high quality boards, by encouraging employees to volunteer as trustees.”
Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisations
“Independent trustees play a vital role in the governance of our public and voluntary institutions. Getting on Board is an excellent resource for bringing together companies, schools and charities to maximise the contribution that employees can make in their community.”
Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive, Volunteering England