News

Becoming a Trustee: Experiences from an LGBT+ young woman

By Arrate de La Cruz. Arrate wrote this piece for LGBT History Month about her time volunteering with RASASH and working as a Trustee for our organisation.

As we celebrate LGBT+ History Month, I reflect on my experience as a young LGBT board member in a feminist organisation.

RASASH is a charity committed to supporting survivors of sexual violence across the Highlands, providing outreach support so everyone can access the service regardless of location. It also promotes social change by raising awareness of sexual violence and campaigning.

I started volunteering at RASASH when I was 21 to support campaigning and fundraising as I believed in the importance of working towards preventing gendered-based violence.

As I learned more about feminist values and the urgency of supporting survivors of all backgrounds, I felt I wanted to help make an impact at the strategic level, but when I heard of the Trustee vacancy, I was unsure about what it implied and whether I would fit the role.

I was genuinely nervous about being young and still a student, which made getting involved in the governance of a charity feel huge. Still, encouraged by loved ones and colleagues, I decided to look into it further and apply for the role. I couldn’t be happier I did.

Even though, as a Trustee, you don’t work at the front line with survivors, you have a critical influence at the operational level and are able to contribute to the charity’s development and growth.

Being part of the RASASH’s Board has been an enriching experience, both personally and professionally. As a feminist organisation, we use consensus-based decision-making to embrace networks of connection and to allow everyone to have their say - rather than adhering to more traditional hierarchical approaches to leadership.

I’ve had the chance to meet like-minded people that I would not have met otherwise, and I feel that I can make a difference. As a young woman from the LGBT+ community, I wanted to contribute to RASASH’s services being as inclusive as possible as I believe in the importance of lifting the voices of those historically unheard, such as LGBT members, which Trustee roles can enable.

I would encourage anyone with a keen interest in social change and community impact to join a charity Board regardless of their experience or background. Becoming a Trustee enables you to gain a broad range of skills, to network and to support vital services. Although it may feel overwhelming at first, experience is something that is gained over time and with good mentoring.

After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained!