My 7 Years as Trustee at Milton Keynes Community Foundation
Jill Heaton Reflects on Her Trusteeship
When I reflect back, I think I applied to be a trustee partly as a substitute for work!
I had recently taken a break from my work as a lawyer, as juggling family life was increasingly difficult at a time when my parents were ill, but I missed the challenges, mental stimulation, and interaction with a diverse group of people that work gives.
Through a local charity in my village, I had been introduced to the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and been impressed, so when the Foundation was looking for new trustees, I applied.
'Many Voices, Working Together, With Purpose'
Whilst the Foundation is run by an excellent team of staff, the trustees set the strategic direction of the Foundation, and at times the weight of that responsibility can feel daunting!
The Board of trustees, with the increasingly diverse range of ages, backgrounds and skills of the people on the board, gives an excellent range of perspectives, to help arrive at a considered way forward.
Very much - many voices, working together, with purpose!
On Being Chair of The Property Committee
Being Chair of the Property Committee is fascinating but very challenging, endeavouring to use the Foundation’s property to best effect to serve the objectives of the Foundation to benefit the community. I hope what I do as a trustee is helpful to the Foundation.
I feel the Foundation gives me what I hoped for – it is stimulating and certainly challenging! – and gives me the opportunity to work with and meet a fascinating range of people.
Without this role I would have been unaware of so much inspiring work helping people and communities that is going on in Milton Keynes.
So for me, being a trustee has become more than a substitute for work, it has made me feel increasingly proud of Milton Keynes, as a city and community, and it has been and is personally rewarding to make my own small contribution to the place.
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About the author
MK Community Foundation