Small charity trustee
- Thread starter markemark
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DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
I did it for a few years - it's about making sure the paperwork is correct and the charity is operating according to the principles for which it was established.
Difficulties? Keeping it all going. It was challenging at times.
Note that in my case I took on a trustee role as part of a process of sorting out major issues with the charity. I'd set out guidelines and stated my exit point from the start, which was once those issues were resolved (legal stuff, financial and volunteer stability, wider reach and greater recognition).
Difficulties? Keeping it all going. It was challenging at times.
Note that in my case I took on a trustee role as part of a process of sorting out major issues with the charity. I'd set out guidelines and stated my exit point from the start, which was once those issues were resolved (legal stuff, financial and volunteer stability, wider reach and greater recognition).
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
A trustee for a small charity, or a small person who is a trustee for a charity?
If its the former, yes, once.
I didn't last long, about two months. The chair was a pecker and we clashed, so I quit. It was later discovered the treasurer had stolen nearly all the charity's money ( he went to prison) and the timing of my departure put me well clear of the fallout.
If its the former, yes, once.
I didn't last long, about two months. The chair was a pecker and we clashed, so I quit. It was later discovered the treasurer had stolen nearly all the charity's money ( he went to prison) and the timing of my departure put me well clear of the fallout.
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BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Similar experience to @DCLane . Meetings to go to, a bit of admin to worry about.
And then, if it all goes wrong, a lot of hard decisions.
There is plenty of guidance from the government on responsibilities of a trustee. Read an ask questions. Be the awkward new one, because most of the old guard won't have kept up to date with new duties. And always a good idea to be vigilant and ask questions, being the new broom. Like is it OK to charge the charity for the donuts at the AGM?
But generally, you are there to make sure that the charity does what it is supposed to do. You are legally responsible, so don't take it lightly, but if there is a rogue element and you couldn't reasonably be expected to know, you should not be responsible for their actions. Might need insurance for that, but worth checking.
And then, if it all goes wrong, a lot of hard decisions.
There is plenty of guidance from the government on responsibilities of a trustee. Read an ask questions. Be the awkward new one, because most of the old guard won't have kept up to date with new duties. And always a good idea to be vigilant and ask questions, being the new broom. Like is it OK to charge the charity for the donuts at the AGM?
But generally, you are there to make sure that the charity does what it is supposed to do. You are legally responsible, so don't take it lightly, but if there is a rogue element and you couldn't reasonably be expected to know, you should not be responsible for their actions. Might need insurance for that, but worth checking.
Gwylan
Guru
- Location
- All at sea⛵
Depends a lot on what and why.
What is the Charity saying it is there for?
Is it delivering?
I've been a trustee for a very small, but very useful charity.
Trustees can bring skills and objectivity that the actual practitioners lack or find it hard to apply.
I've also been a trustee of a charity that sat on millions of pounds and people left 6 figure sums to.
That was really hard, not always nice and difficult to feel trustees made any difference.
Choose carefully and be where you can contribute. Expect to be snowed by paper and jobsworf.
What is the Charity saying it is there for?
Is it delivering?
I've been a trustee for a very small, but very useful charity.
Trustees can bring skills and objectivity that the actual practitioners lack or find it hard to apply.
I've also been a trustee of a charity that sat on millions of pounds and people left 6 figure sums to.
That was really hard, not always nice and difficult to feel trustees made any difference.
Choose carefully and be where you can contribute. Expect to be snowed by paper and jobsworf.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
I was the treasurer and a trustee for our local scout group for about 10 years.
I attended quarterly meetings and as well as looking after the finances I was responsible,along with the rest of the trustees, of making sure that we were spent what little money we had responsibly. I also had to present the accounts at the AGM.
Since I work in the finance, the treasury side was easy, difficulties were dealing with non financial people and explaining why we shouldn't do certain things from a monetary stance.
Rewards? It was my way of giving back after my kids went through scouts, when I left the group leader had been involved for over 40 years
I attended quarterly meetings and as well as looking after the finances I was responsible,along with the rest of the trustees, of making sure that we were spent what little money we had responsibly. I also had to present the accounts at the AGM.
Since I work in the finance, the treasury side was easy, difficulties were dealing with non financial people and explaining why we shouldn't do certain things from a monetary stance.
Rewards? It was my way of giving back after my kids went through scouts, when I left the group leader had been involved for over 40 years
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