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Many charities—especially newer, grassroots or community-led ones—rely on boards made up of passionate people with little or no governance experience.

That’s not a flaw. It’s often how movements start.

But if we don’t support those trustees early, that passion can quickly turn into confusion, frustration, or risk.

I’ve worked with plenty of boards where trustees didn’t know the difference between governance and operations. Where they’d never read the governing document. Where no one had explained what “fiduciary duties” actually meant. And yet—they cared deeply. They showed up. They just needed training that met them where they were.

Too often, board development is reactive. A problem happens, the regulator raises concerns, or something goes wrong—and then training is arranged. But what if we flipped that? What if trustee induction was treated not as a box-tick, but as core infrastructure?

Here’s what works:
- Start with storytelling, not just slides. People learn faster through real cases than dry legal briefings.
- Clarify roles early. Help trustees understand what’s theirs to lead—and what’s not.
- Use the governing document. Make it a living tool, not a forgotten PDF.
- Create space for questions. Many trustees feel intimidated about asking “basic” things. Don’t let that linger.
- Pair new trustees with mentors. Someone they can call outside of formal meetings makes a huge difference.

In Islamic and international development contexts, this matters even more. Cultural expectations, deference to founders or elders, and lack of exposure to UK regulatory frameworks can create added complexity. Without clear training and support, even well-meaning trustees can unwittingly cause harm or fall foul of charity law.

But with the right investment, these same trustees become some of the most thoughtful, grounded, and values-driven board members you’ll find.

Are you working with a board that’s still finding its feet? What’s worked well for you—and what do you wish you’d known at the start?

Let’s share what actually helps trustees grow into their roles.