“I would love to be on a Board where I can influence policy and support women fleeing from domestic violence in my community.” Jennifer Onyutta.
Black on Board opens boardroom doors to London’s minority ethnic communities
29/06/2007
Capacitybuilders is helping a unique scheme to redress the balance in the boardroom – giving greater representation to black and minority ethnic volunteers.
The “Black on Board” project aims to tackle the low level of BME representation at trustee level, particularly in areas and sectors where boards were failing to reflect the ethnic balance of the local borough.
Expanding the pilot scheme
Now, thanks to Capacitybuilders and ChangeUp funding of £5,000 – plus a further £5,500 from Olmec’s partner housing associations, Olmec has been able to extend its successful pilot scheme across South London.
The project was first piloted in Southwark in 2005, working with local people from BME communities who were interested in becoming trustees – in particular on the boards of housing charities, where communities needed a stake in decision-making that would impact on them.
Developing peoples' skills
A 14-week course, designed to equip volunteers with the skills required for board level involvement, was oversubscribed with 50 applicants for just 22 places. All participants who completed the course went on to gain a position on a board.
Adapting the programme course
This success led Olmec to seek funding from Capacitybuilders to extend the area to include central London. Once again, the programme featured training – but this time included mentoring follow up sessions.
Interactive sessions
Participants since have come from a range of backgrounds, including local residents, accountants, lawyers, surveyors and housing staff. During the courses, board observations were arranged at organisations, mock boards were set up and board papers were examined and discussed.
Building confidence
And, although the project’s main focus is still on the housing sector, volunteers have been equipped with skills and confidence that can be equally useful in other sectors – with some volunteers going on to become school governors.
Mercy Jeyasingham, Trainer/Mentor at Black on Board said: “BME communities often have the skills and commitment to make a difference at board level. The Black on Board course enables people to develop the knowledge and confidence to do so.”
Success rate
Some 57 volunteers have now taken part in the project, and approximately 67% of those wishing to go on to board level have now secured Board positions.
Continued mentoring and support
The project continues to keep in touch with all participants, offering mentoring and help with CVs if appropriate. Some have also joined local consultation forums organised by social housing organisations, where representation from BME communities has also been lacking in the past.
Feedback from the sector
Volunteer Jennifer Onyutta said: “Olmec is helping me to find a position on a board near to where I live in South London. I’m a community worker specialising in violence against women. I would love to be on a Board where I can influence policy and support women fleeing from domestic violence in my community.”
Moving into other sectors
Now the organisation is planning to develop a forum for BME board members wishing to share expertise and experience. Work with other sectors is also being explored – with sharing of experience already taking place with sports and arts organisations which also have difficulty recruiting trustees from minority ethnic communities.
