Why should I become a trustee?
Charity trustees come from all walks of life, and are united by their wish to create positive change in society. Most people are eligible to serve as trustees. The work of a trustee is rewarding and enjoyable, and an opportunity make a great contribution to Deafblind UK while learning new skills.Charity trustees serve as volunteers, and receive no payment for their work.
The personal benefits of becoming a trustee vary depending on what stage in your life you are at. If you are at an early stage in your career, becoming a trustee is a great way of making a difference to a charity and gaining experience of operating at board level. This can be of great benefit whether you work in the public, private or voluntary sector or you are looking to move into the voluntary sector. If you are enjoying not having to go to work each day, being a trustee is a great way to bring benefits to your chosen charity and continue using your wealth of skills and experience.
What does being a trustee involve?
A trustee is a member of a group of people - the board of trustees - who have ultimate responsibility for the charity. Being a trustee is an enriching experience both for you and the organisation you serve, and most importantly, for the organisation’s beneficiaries. Deafblind UK's Board of Trustees meets quarterly at our HQ in Peterborough. Board meetings are generally from 10.30am to 3pm.
What are the primary responsibilities of charity trustees?
The overriding duty of all charity trustees is to advance the purposes of the charity. In doing so trustees have several basic responsibilities.
1. Trustees are responsible for the proper administration of the charity.
Trustees must make sure that the charity’s assets and resources are used only for the purposes of the charity. They must make sure that the charity is run in accordance with its constitution, charity law and all other laws and regulations which affect its activities.
2. Trustees must accept ultimate responsibility for everything the charity does.
The trustees are responsible for the vision, mission and management of the charity. They are accountable if things go wrong.
3. Trustees have to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to their charity.
The law imposes a duty of care on the trustees of charities. This is sometimes expressed as a duty ‘to exercise such care and skill as is reasonable in the circumstances’. The duty will be greater if a trustee has (or claims to have) any special knowledge or experience, or if their business or profession means they can reasonably be expected to have special knowledge or experience. In matters where trustees are not expert, they will be expected to take appropriate advice. This duty is very significant. Essentially, provided trustees can show that they are acting reasonably, in a way which furthers the legal objectives of the charity, it is unlikely that they can be criticised under charity law.
4. Trustees must safeguard and protect the assets of the charity.
A charity’s assets include its investments, cash, land, intellectual property, staff and reputation.
5. Trustees have a duty to act collectively.
Decisions and responsibilities are shared, so all trustees should take an active role. Trustees can act by majority (unless the constitution says otherwise), but all the trustees are collectively responsible for decisions made by the trustees (unless they make it clear that they disagree with a particular decision, but they are overruled). Some trustees will have particular roles. For instance, the chair is likely to be a figurehead for the organisation, and to have a special relationship with senior members of staff. The treasurer will be responsible for explaining the financial situation to the rest of the trustees. But responsibility for decision-making still lies with the board as a whole.
6. Trustees must act in the best interests of their charity.
The interests of the charity are paramount. Trustees should not allow their personal interests or views to override this: they must exercise independent judgement.
7. Trustees must avoid any conflict between their personal interests and those of the charity.
The main implication of this is that, unless there is specific legal authority, charity trustees cannot receive any benefit from the charity.
For further information visit the Charity Commission web site and see their document The Essential Trustee – what you need to know: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc3.asp
