I want to become a trustee

If you want to become a trustee, or you are just about to join a board, start here!

All over the world, voluntary organisations are at work to make the world a better place.  And at the heart of every one of them, from the largest and best known charity to the smallest community group, there is a board.

You may never see them on TV or read about them in the press, but the individuals who serve on trustee boards are making some of the most important decisions in the world, in our country and in your local community.

If you're reading this, maybe you are in touch with an organisation that cares about your ideas and may want to make a place for you on its board.  Maybe you want to be involved in a charity you know, at the centre of the action, helping to make a difference.

• Take a look at our quick introductory presentation on becoming a trustee
• FAQs about trusteeship and the voluntary and community sector
• Other people's experience
• Browse our list of current vacancies
• Browse our list of trustee brokerage or placement services who can help you find a position
• Next steps - places you can look, things you can do
  

Frequently asked questions

1. Who is a trustee and what is a trustee board?
2. What is a charity?
3. What are my responsibilities as a trustee?
4. Who can be a trustee?
5. What skills or experience do I need?
6. What are the benefits of being a trustee?
7. Before becoming a trustee, what should I know?
8. How can I become a trustee?

1. Who is a trustee and what is a trustee board?

A trustee is a member of a group of people - the board of trustees, management committee or governing body - who have ultimate responsibility in a charitable voluntary and community organisation. 

• Trustees take overall legal responsibility for the charity's work
• Trustees must act in the best interests of the charity
• Trustees often delegate day to day tasks to staff and volunteers
• Trustees are usually volunteers - trustees can only be paid in exceptional circumstances.  However you should not be out of pocket financially for the work you do.
• Trustees are not often permanent - some trustees have an unlimited term of office but many will need to stand for re-election or take a break at least every few years.

More about who trustees are and trustee boards.

2. What is a charity?

Charities are set up to benefit others and not those responsible for its running, and the work of a charity falls under one or more of four main categories: the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion and other purposes beneficial to the community.  Most charities are registered with the Charity Commission except very small organisations or those with a special excepted or exempted status.

3. What are my responsibilities as a trustee?

• Take 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 you as trustees are up to date and skilled to do your job

More on Trustee responsibilities.

This means...

• Working for others not yourself - Trustees have to act in the best interests of the charity - not any other interest.  Your own personal interests, the views of a certain section of membership or staff or any outside interests should be left behind before you sit down at the meeting table.
• Taking legal responsibility - You are ultimately responsible for what goes on, including financial responsibility and employment responsibility.  Sounds scary?  Don't worry!  As long as you have made proper, informed decisions, followed the rules of your governing document and taken professional advice when you need to then you won't run into any serious trouble.
• Giving time - trustee boards often meet quarterly or bi-monthly - You will need to be able to commit a small amount of time, probably no more than a few hours a month.
• Working together - You have joint responsibility with the other trustees - trusteeship is about working together.  No matter what happens, you will always have to try to get along with your fellow trustees: this means listening to other trustees and advisors, saying what you think and accepting the majority decision.
• Keeping up to date on the facts - Doing your job properly will involve finding out about the organisation - its services, staffing, future plans, what might affect its services and future funding opportunities and risks.
• Making sure you understand your role as trustee - Many organisations will have a trustee job description or code of conduct which will be available when you join up.  NCVO have a range of information resources which can help you understand more about your role in the organisation

4. Who can be a trustee?

• Over 18 years old (generally)
• Not disqualified or bankrupted
• Not convicted of dishonesty
• Able to manage their own affairs
• More on Eligibility

5. What skills and experience do I need?

Trustee boards need all kinds of skills to govern effectively.  Any of these:

• The 'hard' skills - legal, financial, management and so on - which are necessary to understand some of the complex decisions to be taken
• The 'soft' skills - boards of trustees need people who can encourage teamworking, problem solving, asking difficult questions, decision making and, yes, make people laugh!
• Different experiences and perspectives - charities increasingly need to be more responsive to the communities they serve.  They should bring in diverse perspectives and backgrounds 
• Values - trustees have an important duty and all should be able to demonstrate basic values such as honesty and integrity

6. What are the benefits of being a trustee?

• You are at the centre of the action, helping to decide things which matter
• You can help support your community  - ensure the services the charity provides meet the needs of the people they are serving
• You can put your skills and experience to good use, to benefit your community or to provide better services for people who need them 
• You can learn new skills and new confidence in a whole range of areas - from finance to management to teamworking and decision-making - different from your previous experience

How to become a trustee?

7. Before becoming a trustee, what should I know?

As a new trustee you need to know about the charity, how it operates and your role as trustee and what is expected of you.  Many charities have an induction process for new trustees which will allow you to settle in and contribute effectively whilst recognising any support needs you may have.  This may include an induction pack, an opportunity to meet the Chair, fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and site visits. 

What should I find out before I become a trustee?

8. How can I become a trustee?

What to do next? Read more about it: How do I become a trustee?

• Visit the  Trusteebank Directory and link up with a matching agency.  You can register with one of the organisations who promote trusteeship and match trustees with vacancies
• Browse trustee vacancies at do-it.org.uk
• Visit Volunteering England's website to find out about volunteering in general - lots of useful information and guidance
• The next generation of trustees?  Read more about citizenship in schools in this Guardian article
• Look out for advertisements in local or national newspapers, in newsletters, professional journals, notice boards, community centres, and others
• Membership - organisations with a membership structure may elect trustees from their membership
• Ask people who are trustees or work for charities
• Volunteering is a good first step to trusteeship, getting to know the organisation
• User representation - organisations that provide services are increasingly involving service users in their management.  Service users can be recruited onto the board by invitation or through formal election
• Nomination - Sometimes a number of trustee places are reserved for representatives from specified organisations, such as funders or partner organisations

Produced by the Governance and Leadership team

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