Secretary

The Role of Martha Care Trustees

Trustees take ultimate responsibility for the work that the charity does, and the

way in which it spends money given by donors, to achieve its aims. It is a big

responsibility, focusing on the strategic direction of the charity, agreeing plans

and budgets.

It has a legal dimension too, with Trustees legally responsible for ensuring that

the charity operates to standards set by the UK government and the Charity

Commission.

Commitment

It is a task that takes time to do properly; it is estimated that it will require the

equivalent of at least one day a month.

The full Trustee Board meets every two months; there may be sub-committees,

with authority delegated to them by the Board, meeting at other intervals; and

staff may seek to consult with you on your particular expertise. You may be

asked to represent the Charity at outside meetings with potential funders or

influencers, attend report launches, or work alongside staff at events and

receptions.

Key Responsibilities

·         Ensuring that the Charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction, and is focused on achieving these.

·         Being responsible for the performance of the Charity and for its ‘corporate’ behaviour.

·         Ensuring that the Charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

·         Acting as guardians of the Charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, and taking all due care over security, deployment and proper application of those assets.

·         Ensuring that the Charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

·         To work in partnership with other trustees, the Executive Chairman, and other senior staff.

Duties

1. To agree the vision, mission and strategic plan for the Charity.

 2. To ensure that the operational plan and budget reflect the agreed strategic

direction and that they are appropriate.

3. To agree the measures for objectively monitoring the progress of the

charity towards its strategic goals.

4. To monitor the achievement of the Charity against the key measures from

the operational plan and budget.

5. To agree the Charity’s policies and ensure that they will assist in the

achievement of the strategic and operational plans.

6. To ensure that the Charity has satisfactory financial control systems and

procedures, and to review the level of risk annually.

7. To safeguard the Charity’s reputation, and other intangible assets.

8. To reflect annually on the performance of the Executive Chairman, Trustee

Board and your own performance as a Trustee.

Tasks

1. To participate in the annual strategic planning workshop.

2. To attend trustee meetings every three months, read relevant papers and

be prepared to make a contribution.

3. To support the staff when requested, sharing expertise, as a member of a

working group or in other appropriate ways.

4. To be prepared to act as a spokesperson for the Charity when asked by

the Executive Chairman, and to work within an agreed brief.

5. To attend events as an ambassador for the Charity , to network and

promote the work of the charity.

6. To assist with fundraising by speaking, networking and otherwise seeking

donations in conjunction with staff and volunteers as appropriate.

Potential Trustees are required to participate and attend committee meetings for a minimum period of 6 months before standing for election.

New Trustee positions are subject to a 6 month probationary period.

Period of notice

Trustees are elected for a 3 year term (except in the case of the chairperson who is elected for 4 years).  Any trustee seeking to resign from their position is required to give 1 months notice.

Any trustee wishing to resign from an officer position will be required to give at least 3 months notice and is expected to hand over outstanding tasks & responsibilities to any replacement wishing to stand for election at the AGM.