So what does a trustee actually do?
Trustees are the people collectively responsible under the Articles of Association for controlling the management and administration of the Gardiner Hill Foundation.
The role of a trustee is:
- to ensure that the Gardiner Hill Foundation complies at all times with the Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
- to ensure that the Gardiner Hill Foundation pursues its objects as defined in the Articles of Association as the advancement of health and the relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
- to maintain proper financial control and ensure that the Gardiner Hill Foundation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
- to set and maintain vision, mission and values
- to develop and deliver an annual plan based on the goals of the Gardiner Hill Foundation and measure performance against that plan
- to ensure accountability
- to ensure the charity respects the roles of staff and volunteers
- to actively participate in the delivery of individual projects/ fund raising activities agreed by the Board of Trustees
- to contribute to the development of the fundraising plan
- to carry out operational tasks emerging from decisions made at the Board of Trustees e.g. communicating with grant applicants, participate in project meetings
- to draw up and monitor the implementation of internal policies, including equality and diversity as well as health and safety policies
- to ensure that risk assessments for all aspects of the business are carried out
- to safeguard the good name and values of the Gardiner Hill Foundation
- to attend Trustee Board meetings, away days and ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity including funding, insurance and premises
- to actively promote the Gardiner Hill Foundation, including attending events to receive donations being made to the Gardiner Hill Foundation or to talk about the charity
- to act in the best interests of the charity, never in the interests of yourself or another organisation
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the charity achieve its objectives. As a small charity, our success depends on the commitment and work of individual trustees. You may be asked to lead on organising an individual fundraising event, to take part in fundraising events or to help raise awareness of the work of the charity. As a small charity, we have a small number of passionate and committed Trustees working closely together to deliver on the charity’s aims.
Support us in our work and use your special expertise and experience to provide advice and guidance on new initiatives.