ONBOARD

Radically shifting governance through young leaders

Fresh ideas, perspective, and lived experience are needed to future-proof our organisations. But right now, governance is broken. Let us help you build inclusion and care into your governance by recruiting and supporting young trustees from our community on to your board through our 12-month OnBoard programme.

TELL ME MORE

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ONBOARD?

Since 2018, Rising has supported over 39 young people into board and trusteeships across 20 organisations across the South West - and counting.

We draw upon our facilitation, governance and inclusive recruitment expertise to bring young people’s voices to every level of decision-making.

WE'D LIKE TO TRY THIS

WHAT IS ONBOARD?

We all know that effective governance, supported by a dynamic and diverse board, positively impacts every part of your work. But does your current governance truly reflect your inclusive values?

Through OnBoard, Rising Arts Agency supports your organisation to recruit, train, and nuture young leaders from underrepresented backgrounds onto your board through a hands-on, 12-month program that challenges and supports your board to rethink governance.

OnBoard meaningfully brings young people into your organisation as trustees to help diversify your board and future-proof your organisation.

We then support your board members with training and help young leaders to strengthen your organisation's strategic decision-making and adapt for the future.

OnBoard lab photography by Sham Phat

THE PROCESS

WE MEET TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTEXT

We meet with you to understand the current state of your governance, skills and lived experience gaps and explore how young trustees might be able to energise your governance.

INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT of young creative leaders

We use our expertise in inclusive recruitment to put forward a range of different members of Rising’s community who are excited to lead. We then recruit a minimum of 2 young trustees on to your board.

BESPOKE TRAINING AND SUPPORT

Over the course of the year, the young trustees will receive training and support such as financial literacy, fundraising, public speaking etc, as well as having access to a cohort of other young leaders for peer support.

EVALUATION AND ONGOING adjustments

There are multiple points for checking in with organisations and their young trustees about how included they feel and ways that we can collectively support more young people to take up leadership roles. Rising will run a session as part of your board away day to ensure the learning is embedded across your governance.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join organisations like Watershed, We The Curious and St George’s Bristol to bring young leaders and fresh perspectives into your governance!

FIND OUT MORE

We know and understand the power of young creative thinkers. OnBoard is a way of alleviating some of the barriers organisations have in recruiting underrepresented young leaders into governance. Let’s radically rethink governance and get OnBoard.

Download pdf

Arrange a call

Frequently asked questions (faqS)

OnBoard is a year-long programme that helps organisations recruit, support and train a young trustee into their governance structure. Although OnBoard officially lasts 12 months, young people are expected to remain on the board for the duration of a term and will still be able to stay connected to Rising's wider community. We hope that participating organisations build on the learning they gain from OnBoard and advocate for the value of having young trustees to their networks.
While OnBoard is held by Rising, a large bulk of the training for the young trustees will be delivered by hand-selected industry professionals and OnBoard alumni. Rising will be there throughout to support!
We have an extensive network of young leaders with a broad range of interests, disciplines and expertise. in our community. We take the time to understand what it is your organisation needs in a trustee and then utilise our extended networks to find potential candidates. We will then forward a short bio and accessible expression of interest from each candidate for your board to consider.
It's great that you have young people who could take up strategic positions in your organisation. However, OnBoard offers organisations more than just recruitment. Rising helps your organisation support 2 young people to your board through a structured training programme, resources and on- going support. We use our considered recruitment process to recruit an engaged network of young leaders, capable of creating change in your spaces and sector. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can have a significant impact on your strategy and the way you work.
As a result of Black Lives Matter, we have intentionally made it compulsory to recruit a minimum of 2 young trustees to combat tokenism, and ensure the young trustees have peer-support, while on the board.