Being a Valuable Committee Member

Information kindly supplied by West Sussex EESI Project (Crawley and Horsham Area)

Roles and Responsibilities

Committee members can also be known as trustees, directors, board members or governors but the overall roles and responsibilities are fundamentally the same whatever they are called and whatever the nature and size of the organisation.

Broadly there are 3 key things that trustees must ensure

  That the organisation is

1. Solvent
2. Well Run
3. Delivers the outcomes for which is was set up

Governance and Management

  Governance is the process which trustees use to make sure that the organisation

• Operates effectively
• Has a clear mission and strategy
• Has adequate resources

  Management is to do with

• Carrying out the work
• Implementing the decisions taken by the trustees

In a smaller organisation without staff, trustees will do both the above and will have a much more hands on role. Where there are staff, the trustees’ role will be more of overseeing the activities.

But even where the organisation has staff who carry out the work it is still the trustees

who have the ultimate responsibility for the organisation.

Charity Commission guidance summarises the duties and responsibilities under the following headings:

Compliance – trustees must ensure that:

• The organisation complies with relevant legislation
• That it acts in accordance with its governing document and that it stays true to the stated aims and objectives
• That they act with integrity and avoid any personal conflict of interest or misuse of the funds or assets.

Duty of Prudence – Trustees must ensure that:

• The organisation is, and remains, solvent
• Funds and assets are used reasonably and only in furtherance of the organisation’s objects
• Activities which might place the organisations assets or reputation at risk are avoided
• Special care is taken when investing the organisations funds or when borrowing on its behalf

Duty of Care – Trustees must:

Use reasonable care and skill in their work and give the necessary time to ensure the organisation is well-run and efficient

Consider getting external professional advice where appropriate

Conclusion

Committee members have 5 key responsibilities

1. Policy Formulation

a. Setting missions and goals for the organisation

b. Developing a strategic / development plan

2. Securing Resources

a. Ensuring that the necessary resources are in place

3. Spanning Boundaries

a. Providing a link between the organisation and other agencies

b. Bringing the outside world into the organisation

c. And, where there are staff, acting as a buffer

4. Being a point of accountability to…

a. Funders

b. Members

c. Beneficiaries

d. Paid Staff

e. Volunteers

f. The Charity Commission (if a registered Charity)

5. Being responsible / liable for

a. Staff – ensuring full compliance with employment law.

b. For any debts or consequences including legal action against the rganisation / individual trustee due to misconduct of the organisation.

           (Unless steps are taken to avoid this).