Thurrock Racial Unity Support Taskgroup (TRUST)

What do Trustees do?

At it’s simplest, the role of a charity trustee is to 

•  Receive assets from donors
• Safeguard them

Apply them for a charitable purpose according to the wishes of the donor. In practice, trusteeship is a serious responsibility requiring an active role in the governance of the organisation.

Trustees are expected to:- 

•  Make the big decisions about the future Ensure everything is legal and safe 
• Support the head of staff
• Ensure the work of the charity is carried out 
• Ensure the management board is up to date and skilled

Trustees are obliged to:-

• Act in the best interests of the charity’s beneficiaries
• Act together as a group rather than individuals
• Set aside their personal interests
• Take legal responsibility for the organisation
• Exercise the duty of care that a prudent person of business would in looking after the affairs of someone for whom they had responsibility
• Keep up to date with regulations, charity law, company law, and best practice recommendations
• Act gratuitously, although out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with duties as trustees can be reclaimed
• The Management Board is not expected to be expert on everything – it can seek appropriate professional advice if and when needed. Relevant training can also be arranged.

Expectations and Duties of TRUST Trustees / Management Board Members

The Management Board is made up of individual members or representatives of TRUST members. TRUST realise its opportunities for service and the fulfilment of its objectives to users, staff, volunteers, funders and the wider community in Thurrock.

The responsibilities of the Board can be summarised as: Legal;

• Financial Control;
• Managerial;
• Accountability;
• Quality Assurance;
• Maintenance of Values. Specifically, these duties / responsibilities are:-
• To approve the TRUST philosophy, ensure its implementation, and review the Board and staff’s performance in achieving it
• To contribute actively to the Management Board’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation
• To ensure that all organisational matters as laid out in the TRUST Memorandum and Articles of Association are adhered to
• To ensure that TRUST complies with the requirements and regulations of the Charity Commission and Companies House
• To represent the interests of TRUST to users, funders and others
• To safeguard the good name and values of TRUST when representing the organisation 
• To contribute actively in setting overall policy, assessing the changing environment, approving TRUST work strategies, ensuring that processes are in place to maintain the quality of service and evaluating performance
• To ensure that TRUST applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives, i.e. it does not spend money on activities which are not included in its objectives, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are 
• To protect and manage the property of TRUST and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
• To be collectively responsible for the actions of TRUST and Board Members
• To approve funding strategies of Thurrock TRUST, ensure its financial stability and ensure that fundraising activities carried out are properly undertaken
• To review and approve TRUST budgets and to ensure that monies are soundly administered and used
• To ensure the completion and audit of the annual accounts of TRUST 
• To ensure that TRUST is properly insured against all reasonable liabilities
• To approve all major policies for the organisation
• To approve an effective marketing and public relations strategy 
• To ensure that all terms and conditions of employment comply with government guidelines as well as TRUST equal opportunities policies and practices
• To approve appropriate salaries, terms and conditions of service for all staff 
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and be assured that the staff situation is equal to the requirements of the TRUST aims and objectives 
• To be assured that staff supervision and support is being properly provided 
• To declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a Trustee/Board Member
• To attend meetings, and to read papers in advance of meetings 
• To agree and approve Annual General Meeting arrangements  any other special meetings as required
• To participate in other tasks that may arise from time to time, such as interviewing new staff, attending relevant sub-group meetings 
• To abide by the Equal Opportunities Policy
• To be assured that the Board is informed of, and fully understands, TRUST activities and services

Each Board Member is expected to have:- 

• Integrity
• A commitment to the organisation and its objectives 
• An understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship 
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Board Member 
• Strategic vision 
• Good, independent judgement 
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team 
• An ability to think creatively 
• Willingness to speak their mind Board Members are required to read and agree to abide by the TRUST Articles and Memorandum of Association, and policies on Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities.

To confirm their agreement and understanding, Board Members will be required to complete and sign the necessary forms, i.e. Membership, Companies House 288a, Register of Interests and Board Checklist. New Board Members will receive an induction pack containing relevant information and forms.

Management Board meetings are held bi-monthly. Whilst it is understood that Board Members may not be able to attend every meeting, the Board does have the right to pass a special resolution to expel any member failing to attend three consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse. You may also look at our code of Practice for furrther information.