It can sometimes feel like the Charity Commission is launching a new enquiry into a different charity every week. Common failings identified by the Commission include the misuse of funds, failure to comply with the governing document, ineffective management of conflicts of interests and failure to meet filing requirements. And where these failings are severe it can and does lead to bans on individuals acting as trustees in the future.
Being a trustee can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and a great way to contribute to your community. There are opportunities to work as part of a dedicated team, gain skills and experience, as well as use the skills you already possess to make a difference to your chosen cause. So why does it go wrong sometimes? A likely reason is that we may not fully understand the responsibilities we agree to when being appointed to that board of trustees.
The Charity Commission outlines six key duties each trustee needs to undertake. These are as follows:
- Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- Comply with your charity’s governing document and the law
- Act in your charity’s best interests
- Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
- Act with reasonable care and skill
- Ensure your charity is accountable
A good starting place to ensure you are acting in line with these duties is to read the charity’s governing document. Whilst these documents often lack the gripping nature of a Richard Osman murder mystery, they do contain the very important rules that your charity must comply with. From detailing how the charity may spend its money to how many trustees are allowed to sit on the board.
Once you have established the basis of what activities your charity is allowed to undertake you then need to attend those trustee board meetings, talk to the charity’s staff, ask questions, engage in (friendly) debate and help develop the plans that ensure your charity can make the greatest impact with the resources available to it.
And of course, make sure the charity’s financial statements are filed on time! Enter Burgis & Bullock!
Our friendly charities experts are available to provide support and advice regarding trustee responsibilities, please feel free to contact us.
