u3a Board Trustee elections 2026
An opportunity has opened up for a new Trustee to join the u3a Board.
The Board is responsible for shaping our overall strategy - to make sure we have the right resources, in the right places, to help us achieve our objectives. Trustees develop and agree a strategy and then hold the CEO to account by checking progress against agreed milestones, asking questions and challenging assumptions.
A full candidate pack will be shared in the coming weeks and nominations will open on Thursday 2 July. In the meantime, you can read about the role responsibilities and requirements below.
We are holding an online briefing session for those interested in finding out more on Monday 6 July at 12pm. Sign up to attend for free.
Desired skills and experience
A Trustee has a very important role which is both rewarding and challenging. Trustees are routinely faced with difficult and complex decisions as they need to balance the differing interests within the Trust in an ever changing legal and charity environment.
Although training will be provided, it is important that Trustees have the personal confidence and keen interest to operate in a team at a senior strategic level.
Experience
Following a recent assessment, we have identified some specific skills that would strengthen the Board and make it more effective.
We are looking for members who can demonstrate significant experience in at least one of the following areas:
- previous experience in a non-executive role at a large organisation or charity
- organisational strategy development
- organisational change or change management
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
Skills
General attributes of the role also include:
- ability to work as part of a decision-making group
- ability to absorb and understand complex information
- willingness to deal with and respect confidential matters
- ability to contribute to discussions with confidence, to ask questions and to hold others to account in a constructive manner
- ability to respond well to challenge, adapt to change and learn new skills
- recognition of the need to treat colleagues, staff and u3a members with the utmost respect and consideration
- good communication skills and the ability to summarise points clearly andconcisely
- understanding of the significance of budgets and strategic aims
- ability to work flexibly in a digital/IT and video-conferencing environment.
Other criteria
To become a member of the Board, you must be:
- a paid-up member of a u3a affiliated to the Third Age Trust
- a resident in the UK
- prepared to disclose any potential conflict of interest when required.
How to nominate yourself for the role
Nominations open on Thursday 2 July. You will need to be proposed by your own u3a and seconded by another, and write a personal statement. Full details about the process will be released on this page in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions, please email
Key dates
- Nominations open - 2 July
- Online briefing session for interested members - 6 July
- Nominations close - 30 July
- Interviews - 14 and 20 August
- Voting opens - 27 August
- Voting closes - 24 September
- Results announced - w/c 28 September
The successful candidate will take up their new role at the AGM on 14 October 2026, where a Board meeting will take place.