Jill Ritchie is the chair and co-founder of the SA-UK Trust Network and has spent over three decades supporting causes promoting the anti-apartheid movement, environment and the performing arts. She is also a TFN member. This month she writes about the importance of getting philanthropists involved in the charity selection process.

I have been attending the TFN events for many years and keep on doing so as the energy in the room is magic. If it could be bottled and spread globally, most problems would go away. As a member (and a fundraiser, consultant and author of many books for the charity sector), it was a lovely new experience to participate in the process of considering the short list and then joining the panel to select the lucky three. It was great to have the input of the team members of the sponsoring company too. 
 
I was a little nervous about the panel discussion. I felt that I ‘knew too much’ about the charity sector and that my votes might be out of step with other panel members. I need not have worried! Our instinctive early responses did not change after the wonderful charity representatives joined us one-by-one. We unanimously chose the same three charities. 
 
It also enhanced my experience when attending the live event where the three charities that I had had a small part in selecting, were featured. Given the in-depth information that I gained about one in particular, I invited a guest whom I knew would relate to this charity. Fascinatingly, she donated to a different one on the night! She has since become a volunteer for the one I felt that she would love. Just more of the great things that come from the wonderful concept that is TFN. I continue to refer to the meetings as ‘the best night out in London’ – and will continue to do so. Well done to all involved.