Question 1

What is the role of the chair of trustees?

Accepted Answer

The chair's role is to ensure that the board is effective in setting and implementing the charity’s culture, direction and strategy by leading the board and focusing it on strategic matters, oversight of the charity’s activities and maintaining high standards of governance.

Question 2

Does a charity have to have a chair of trustees?

Accepted Answer

Most charities have a person who has been appointed to be the chair and in many constitutions one is required but usually may be appointed just to chair the meeting.

Question 3

What is the role of a charity treasurer?

Accepted Answer

A charity treasurer will advise trustees on their financial responsibilities, may chair a finance/audit committee and liaise with professional advisors, such as auditors.  In small charities, the role will be much more hands on, perhaps including routine finance duties, such as budgeting and preparation of reports.

Question 4

What are charity committee roles and responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

The trustee board may delegate authority, but not responsibility, to committees.  Committees support the board by providing additional capacity and expertise, and making recommendations.  Many charities have finance committees but others may have operations, fundraising, audit and property.

Question 5

What is a charity trustee skills audit?

Accepted Answer

A skills audit is where the trustees determine the skills and experience, they need and compare it to what they have to determine what additional skills they might need to recruit for.

Question 6

What is the minimum number of charity trustees in the UK?

Accepted Answer

You must follow whatever’s in you governing document (constitution) but aim for a minimum of three unconnected trustees with a good range of skills.

Question 7

What is the maximum number of charity trustees?

Accepted Answer

You must follow whatever’s in you governing document (constitution), but the recommended maximum is 12. Beyond that decision making becomes increasingly less effective.

Question 8

How often should charity trustees meet?

Accepted Answer

There is no specific guidance on how often charity boards should meet - as often as necessary.  However, many boards meet quarterly but may meet more frequently during busy periods or if the charity is run day-to-day by the trustees.

Question 9

What is Charity Commission CC3 - the Essential Trustee?

Accepted Answer

CC3 is the key Charity Commission For England & Wales guidance that charity trustees must be aware of and details their 6 main responsibilities.

Question 10

What is the role of a charity trustee?

Accepted Answer

The role and 6 main responsibilities of a charity trustee are to ensure your charity carries out its purposes for the public benefit, comply with your charity’s governing document and the law, act in its best interests, manage your charity’s resources responsibly, act with reasonable care and skill and ensure your charity is accountable.

Question 11

How long do charity trustees serve?

Accepted Answer

The length of a charity trustee appointment will be in your constitution but, in general, many charities opt for 3 years, with the option to reappoint.

Question 12

Can a trustee resign at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a charity trustee does not have to serve for their period of appointment and may resign at any time.

Question 13

How do I remove a trustee from a charity?

Accepted Answer

If you need to dismiss a trustee, the board and the charity must follow the rules set out in your governing document. Trustees may be dismissed through a no-confidence process, as long as this is part of your rules.

Question 14

Can trustees be paid for their time?

Accepted Answer

Generally, charity trustees are unpaid volunteers who may be paid expenses.  It is possible to pay trustees for services provided but usually requires Commission approval and it would be unusual to pay a trustee for simply being a trustee.

Question 15

What is the minimum age to be a charity trustee?

Accepted Answer

You must be at least 16 years old to be a trustee of a charity that is a company or a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), or at least 18 to be a trustee of any other charity.

Question 16

What is a trustee conflict of interest?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 common types of conflict of interest: Financial conflicts - when a trustee, or person or organisation connected to them, could get money or something else of value from a trustee decision. Loyalty conflicts - other reasons, a board member might not be able to make decisions that are best for the charity.

Question 17

How to manage a charity conflict of interest?

Accepted Answer

To manage a conflict of interest you must follow your governing document but usually, the individual should be excluded from all discussions and this and the discussion details recorded in the minutes.

Question 18

Does a charity have to have a treasurer?

Accepted Answer

Finance is a key governance responsibility for charity trutees but a charity doesn't have to have a treasurer, unless it's a requirement in its governing document (constitution)

Question 19

What is the job description of a charity secretary?

Accepted Answer

A charity secretary is a trustee who supports the board, often by taking on administration and compliance, preparing for board meetings, meeting minutes and coordinating/organising other meetings.  Where a charity is a company, the secretary also has duties under company law

Question 20

Does a charity trustee board have to have a secretary?

Accepted Answer

A trustee board must arrange and minute meetings and run itself well but a charity doesn't necessarily have to appoint a board secretary, unless it's a requirement in its governing document (constitution)

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