Hi all! New to the community here! I'm writing as the Chair person to a small charity offering Early Years nursery provision. The Playgroup Manager, as is normal for our constitution, is a Trustee with 7 other trustees (three of whom will be standing down soon as planned). The Playgroup Manager is going on maternity leave soon and has suggested the Deputy Playgroup Manager becomes a Trustee whilst she is on leave for 12 months. To confirm the Manager wants to retain her Trustee position but from a distance. This makes me uncomfortable for it would mean two staff members are Trustees and would risk the balance of independent insight. What would other Boards do in this position? Have the Manager step down from the Board whilst on maternity leave and the Deputy take their place for the 12 months (my instinct)? Or be happy with two staff members on the Board?