Member Article

Google Joins ‘Step on Board’ Trustee Volunteering Programme

Google is the latest company to have signed up to ‘Step on Board’ – the leading board level volunteering programme jointly run by Trustees Unlimited and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Step on Board empowers senior employees from the private sector to become trustees and non-executives on the boards of charities and organisations with a social or environmental mission.

Google’s appointment follows other companies including Barclays, Credit Suisse and law firm Mishcon de Reya who have signed up since the programme launched in November 2014.

Google has initially invited about 60 of its executives to get involved in the programme. The company’s goal is to provide these executives with alternative professional and career development opportunities in a way which formal management education can’t offer.

This programme is aligned with Google’s goal to encourage Googlers to put their skills to work for causes they care about in their communities and around the world.

Stuart Mclaughlin, the EMEA Employee Social Responsibility Manager for GooglersGive said: “We’re excited to have introduced Step on Board and to encourage Googlers to become trustees in the UK, building on a global programme which empowers Googlers to contribute to the communities where they live and work. The programme offers an opportunity for people to develop their skills and competencies outside their usual work environment.”

Through interactive workshops led by sector experts plus one to one diagnostic sessions and a matching service, Step on Board prepares potential trustees to be ‘board ready’ and matches them to appropriate organisations depending on the cause they feel passionate about, other requirements such as time and location, and their skills and experience.

The initial response at Google has been very enthusiastic and there is now a waiting list of candidates. After the first tranche of people have gone through the first steps of the programme, Google hopes to be able to offer it to more employees due to the demand.

Becoming a trustee is a hugely rewarding experience and can give people skills, experiences and insights that will enhance their careers. Google employs some of the brightest and most forward thinking minds and by joining the programme they are showing how much they recognise the value that trusteeships have for both their employees and for wider society.

Step on Board was created in response to increased demand from corporates looking to engage with charities in more meaningful, impactful and sustainable ways. The programme benefits both charities and private companies and promotes the cross-sector sharing of skills and experience. It offers a more engaging, sustainable and cost-effective form of professional development than more traditional styles of leadership training.

As a bespoke service, the programme can be tailored to an organisation’s individual corporate responsibility goals or can be folded into its existing continuous professional development. For more information about the programme, visit www.steponboard.org.uk or email steponboard@ncvo.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ian Joseph, CEO, Trustees Unlimited .