Will it really take 70 years to achieve gender-balanced boardrooms in the UK?
Guest blog by Carol Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, the RSA:
The RSA was pioneering, allowing women into the Fellowship from our founding in 1754. “Ladies as well as gentlemen are invited into this subscription, as there is no reason to imagine they will be behind-hand in a generous and sincere regard for the good of their country” – William Shipley, Founder of the RSA, December 1753
Lord Davies, in his government report, Women on Boards (PDF), sets out that “At the current rate of change it will take over 70 years to achieve gender-balanced boardrooms in the UK”. Also, “‘boards perform better when they include the best people who come from a range of perspectives and backgrounds.”
“‘boards perform better when they include the best people who come from a range of perspectives and backgrounds. – The Davies Report”
The current composition of the RSA Board is: seven male and five female Trustees, eleven White/British and one Ethnic Minority. The average age of the Trustees is 54 years. So we’re not doing too badly on gender balance, but could do better. As for age and background, there is definitively more work to do (only one Trustee is under 40 and even though we have Fellows across the world, no current board members are from overseas).
Next steps:
- Are you a Fellow in good standing and willing to stand? We are looking to fill three elected posts on the RSA Trustee Board, to serve for three years as three current trustees are due to retire. You can find out more about the Trustee Board Elections 2013: What you need to know, and about how boards work linked below.
- Want to encourage somebody else to stand? If they are a Fellow in good standing, be sure to share this with them – there is a Tweet button at the top… email also works.
Not sure – want to know more about the implications of being a Trustee? Our partner, the Coalition for Efficiency, has put together a handy small guide (PDF) that’ll answer the most frequently asked questions around being a Trustee of a charity – and the Charity Commission of course also has more information.
We were ahead 259 years ago. By drawing on our foresight from back then, let’s see if we can help bring down the 70 year estimate to reach a better balance.
Carol Jackson is Chief Operating Officer at the RSA.
Got questions about the upcoming Fellowship Council elections?
Over the next few months there will be a number of opportunities for Fellows who would like to become more engaged on a voluntary basis in the way the RSA is run – and today we’ve invited Brinda Sittapah, the RSA’s Governance Manager to stop by for a quick Q&A around what is happening and what the opportunities are:
Q) What are the available posts?
A) We’re looking for three types of hands-on leaders to collaborate with other Fellows and at times staff to help the Society meet its charitable goals – or ‘undertakings for publick good’ as our founder William Shipley would have put it. In practice that means:
A Fellowship Councillor for each Region/Nation
An elected Fellowship Councillor to represent each of the 14 Regions/Nations in the UK and Ireland – and working as an integral part of a hands-on Regional / National Team.
“At large” Fellowship Councillors based on skills
Seven elected “at large” Fellowship Councillors to be elected by Fellows across all 14 Regions/Nations in the UK and Ireland. It is expected that candidates for these positions will stand on the basis of their experience, interests and skills.
A Regional/National Chair for each Region/Nation
An elected Regional/National Chair to represent each of the 14 Regions/Nations in the UK and Ireland – again, a hands-on role as part of a Regional/National Team.
Read the full call for nominations here.
Meanwhile, here are a few practical follow-on questions that have come in from the field which might help you in case you’re thinking of standing:
Q) What is the time commitment for the different roles?
A) There are at least three Fellowship Council meetings every year and Fellowship Councillors will also be on their Regional/National team which meets quite regularly to decide on the plan of activities for the Region/Nation.
Besides being on the Fellowship Council, the Chair will also be responsible for the Region/Nation. As such, you must have sufficient time to devote to the activities of the Region/Nation and to ensure the development plan is being implemented.
Q) How can Fellows who do not have contact with other Fellows have supporters?
A) Candidates interested can find events in their Region / Nation to attend on the Fellowship Where You Are pages of the RSA website.
Q) What if I am thinking of relocating in the near future:
A) If a candidate is relocating then we would not advise them to apply for the Region/Nation they are currently in. The Fellowship Councillor for the Region/Nation together with the Regional/National chair and the Regional Programme Manager are required to meet to devise a development plan for their area and ensure it is implemented.
Q) Will electronic signatures be accepted?
A) Yes
Q) Can signatures be scanned?
A) Yes
Q) Can supporters sign on different forms?
A) Yes
Q) Should Fellows supporting a candidate be in the same region/nation?
A) Yes, you must be known to at least 5 Fellows in your Region/Nation to be able to apply – the role is after all about leading those around you.
Q) Can a Fellow nominate more than one candidate?
A) Yes
Q) How can a Fellow based abroad get involved with the Fellowship Council
A) There are a number of seats on the Fellowship Council available for co-opted members – please express your interest using the same form. It should be noted that there is a requirement to attend Fellowship Council meetings in person and we do not have budget to reimburse more than the most basic travel expenses.
Please note: Just sending your interest via email without the candidate statement and nomination form will be void.
Candidates should submit their interest using the nomination form available on the RSA Governance pages at latest 12 noon GMT 30 May 2012.
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