Trustees and management committee members

Being a trustee or committee member is a serious responsibility and one in which individuals are required to take an active role in leading and shaping a voluntary organisation.

The sessions in 'Trustees and Management Committee Members' outline what exactly being a trustee or committee member means, the roles and responsibilities of trustees as individuals and collectively, and the importance of engaging the right people for the job - people who need to ensure that everything is safe and legal, support the paid staff and volunteers to carry out the work and make big decisions about the future.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• understand what being a trustee means

• have an overview of what is involved in governing a voluntary organisation.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• understand the concept of governance

• be aware of the key principles of governance

• understand how trustees as a board are collectively responsible and accountable for ensuring that the organisation is well-run, solvent and complies with all its obligations

• be aware of key governance documents

By the end of this session, participants will:

• have an understanding of trustee roles and responsibilities

• be clear on how aims or legal objects should reflect the organisation's values and mission

• identify potential liabilities and how to guard against them

By the end of this session, participants will:

• have identified the individual roles of honorary officers

• understand the importance and impact of these roles on the organisation

• understand the functions and responsibilities of honorary officers

• considered the knowledge and skills required to undertake these specific roles

By the end of this session, participants will:

• be more aware of board and committee structures

• have identified types of sub-committees and their roles

• have considered the particular responsibilities and powers delegated to sub committees and working groups responsible for specific activities

• know how to ensure that the composition of their board and sub-committees should reflect the community and the membership it serves.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• be familiar with the range of recruitment methods to attract a diversity of trustees

• have considered policies and procedures for trustee recruitment

• have explored the need for trustee job descriptions

• be familiar with the merits of undertaking a skills audit

• understand the importance of trustee induction and opportunities for learning and development

By the end of this session, participants will:

• be clear on the difference between governance and management

• understand the role of the Chief Officer in relation to the board

• have considered ways in which the Board can support the chief officer in his/her role