SECTION 1: Before You Get Started: General Consideration
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Selecting an Advisory Board
1 – Before You Get Started: General Considerations
Selecting an Advisory Board
Having an advisory board, or even a single mentor, can help to make sure your decisions are fair and inclusive. Involving board members who have EDI experiences or simply different perspectives will encourage a more balanced approach. This will both contribute to your thinking process and improve your EDI considerations.
If your application process is particularly aimed at certain marginalised groups which you are not a part of, consider approaching people who are to join your advisory board as they may be able to offer valuable insight. However, don’t forget that this is not a box-ticking exercise!
When approaching prospective advisory board members, make sure you refer back to this ‘General Considerations’ section to ensure your communications with them are visually accessible, the language is inclusive, and invite requests for adjustments are put up front.
Be clear what your expectations would be of them! Also, be mindful that many underrepresented groups may experience higher administrative burdens at work and in their personal lives, and are often asked to take on extra labour for advisory roles. Therefore, try to keep their workload to a minimum, and be respectful if they decline your request. If possible, consider paying advisory board members for their time.
NEXT: Inclusive Working Formats
Will you (or those you fund) have control over where, when, and for how many hours per week individuals work?