Lots of organisations across York and North Yorkshire are currently looking for new committee members to help manage their activities.  Being a Trustee can be a great way to get involved in local community activities, and you don’t need previous committee experience to do it.

 

Trustees ensure that an organisation pursues its charitable objects, protects its assets, complies with the law and its governing document, remains solvent and does not expose the organisation to undue risk.

Would you make a good trustee?

 

People from all walks of life have experience and skills that would make them a good trustee.  No-one on a board is expected to be good at everything.  It is your knowledge and experience that makes you uniquely capable and valuable as a trustee.  Trustees should be over 18, and ideally should have:

 

• A commitment to and support for the purpose, objects and values of the organisation
   
• A willingness to devote the time and effort required
   
• An ability to analyse information and, when necessary, challenge constructively
   
• An understanding of their legal duties and responsibilities
   
• An ability to work as part of a team

 

For more information on becoming a Trustee for a group in your area, or if you are a group that is looking for Trustees, please contact your local Volunteer Centre.  

What would it involve?

 

Being a Trustee involves some commitment of time, to attend meetings that could be monthly or less often.

 

Boards of Trustees may have a range of different roles, including:

 

Chair.   This will involve setting the agenda for, and facilitating, Board meetings.  If there are paid staff, the Chair will provide support and leadership to the Chief Officer, or manager, of the organisation.  If there are no paid staff, the Chair may be lead the work of the group.

 

Treasurer.  The Treasurer looks after the finance of the organisation.  Treasurers are very much in demand by community groups.  For small groups it might involve keeping fairly simple financial records and reporting to other members of the Board.  For larger, more complex organisations, you may need to report back to the Charity Commission each year, and keep more detailed records of the organisation’s finances.

 

Secretary.  The Secretary may deal with any correspondence on behalf of the Board, arrange Board meetings, take and distribute minutes, and ensure the group complies with its governing document and any other legal requirements.

 

Board members.  Other Board members will attend meetings as necessary, express their opinions and views, and ensure that the group is well run and well managed.

 

For further information and role descriptions, see:

 

http://www.trusteenet.org.uk/resources

Help for Treasurers

 

The Community Accounting Network North Yorkshire (CANNY) can offer information, training, and advice to Treasurers about their role, what they have to do, and how to do it.  

 

To find out more about the CANNY project or how your local Community Accounting Service can help your  organisation please contact:

 

Craven, Harrogate & Ripon

Contact: Philip Blandford

Tel: 01535 634588/07512 363415

Email: philip@sccaco.com

 

Ryedale & Scarborough

Contact: Barrie Tuck

Tel: 01653 600120

Email: barrie@rva-cvs.org.uk

 

Links and Resources

www.canny.org.uk

 

Selby & York

Contact: Vin Mc Dermott

Tel: 01904 621133

Email: vincent.mcdermott@yorkcvs.org.uk

 

Hambleton & Richmondshire

Contact: Keith Blewitt

Tel: 01609 780458

Email : keith.blewitt@ndvsa.co.uk

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