Trustees play a vital role in ensuring charities and voluntary groups are well-run, effective and working in the best way possible for the people they support.
If you sit on the board or committee of a charity with others who decide how the charity operates then in law, you are a trustee. You might be called a management committee member, board member, director or similar, but in law, you are a trustee.
Your organisation may be a charity even if it does not have a charity number, because only charities with incomes of more than £5,000 a year have to register with the Charity Commission and receive a charity number.
Trustees are usually unpaid volunteers, but can claim reasonable expenses. Employees of the charity can be a trustee, but must satisfy charity law. CAN and the Charity Commission do not recommend that employees be trustees.
What are a trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
- Ensure the charity is well run, solvent and working towards its charitable purpose
- Act prudently – the charity comes first in decision-making
- Use the knowledge they have and ask for expert advice if unsure
- Make sure the charity follows the law (not just charity law!)
- Make sure the charity follows its constitution
- Look after the charity assets (cash, equipment, reputation, etc.)
- Act collectively and avoid conflicts of interest
- Take ultimate responsibility.
The Charity Commission has more information in The Essential Trustee and 5 minute reads.
Why be a trustee?
Thousands of people give their time as trustees across Dorset. Even though it might look like a big responsibility, there’s support available and you’ll have fun while giving back to your community. As a trustee, you can:
- Help to make a difference
- Develop, skills (e.g. strategic planning, financial management, employment etc) or gain experience in a new sector
- Develop new professional relationships
- Allow a charity to benefit from your skills, expertise, enthusiasm and ideas
- Have fun!
Need advice on trusteeship?
To request support or make an enquiry, please complete this form with as much detail as you can, and one of our Advisors will be in touch.
Support is free for CAN Members, so sign up today (membership is free).
We offer:
- Training
- Forums
- Organisational health checks
- Trustee board reviews.
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