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After nine years on the Board, it is time for me to stand down and for the Board to appoint a new Chair who can take Kaleidoscope Trust to the next level in its mission to create a free, safe and equal world for all – a cause that deeply inspires me.
We’ve achieved a great deal since our founding in 2011. Through our work, we have supported LGBTI+ organisations to decriminalise homosexuality, strengthened the relationships between activists, and encouraged governments to stand together to advance rights and freedoms. Our strong relationships with the UK, Canadian, and Australian governments have provided meaningful opportunities to influence global foreign policy and open up spaces of power to LGBTI+ activists and organisations.
But this slow and steady path of progress faces abrupt challenges: political change, less money for LGBTI+ organisations, and well-funded opposition. The decade ahead will see significant upheaval, which will undoubtedly challenge our ability to achieve our mission. A new Chair will need to support our new Chief Executive in reorienting our work and strategy in response to these challenges.
I have always believed the role of the Chair is to ensure the Chief Executive succeeds, and the role of the Board is to ensure the charity succeeds in its mission and goals. It is rarely plain sailing. Events happen. But if the relationships are healthy and the proper procedures and processes are in place, a charity should be able to weather most storms.
Over my time at Kaleidoscope Trust, I’ve worked with four Chief Executives – Felicity, Paul, Phyll, and Alex. Each relationship is different, with the needs of each Chief Executive varying from person to person. But the constant is the need to focus relentlessly on our charitable aims and objectives. A new Chair will need to establish how they will not only manage a Board of amazing professional volunteers but also how to work successfully with our wonderful Chief Executive.
Looking back on my time at Kaleidoscope Trust, I am proud of raising funds close to £1,000,000, creating our first supporters’ scheme, striking long-standing fundraising partnerships with crucial media partners, leading the development of our brand identity, diversifying the Board, and, collectively, supporting Kaleidoscope Trust through the Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living, and energy crises.
A new Chair will need to aim for new challenges and opportunities.
Do you have the will and skills to take the Kaleidoscope Trust to ever greater success? Click here to view the Board Chair recruitment pack.
The pressing LGBTI+ human rights challenges of our day can only be solved through collaboration, whether that be with grassroots or international human rights organisations, governments and funding bodies – and people that really care, like you.
Will you donate and help us create a free, safe and equal world for LGBTI+ people everywhere?
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