A trustee may serve on the Board for up to three terms (a term being three years) making nine years in total. The Board may extend this in special circumstances so as not to lose vital expertise due to a technicality of tenure. For a more detailed explanation of these matters and a list of legal reasons where you might not be permitted to become a trustee please see www.gov.uk/charity-trustee-disqualification. 4 MA The Role of the Board – Purpose To be collectively legally and morally accountable for the health and effectiveness of the MA, ensuring that the MA achieves its mission in an ethical, transparent, accountable, and prudent manner. Accountabilities Ensure that the MA is relevant to the community it serves through processes that monitor the external environment and define the vision, direction, and strategy. Define and monitor key areas of performance, assess results, and ensure that steps are taken to continuously improve, develop and evolve, hence ensuring the long term viability of the organisation. Ensure the and long term financial sustainability and solvency of the MA. Ensure compliance of the MA with relevant charity and financial laws and regulations and with its own governing rules. Ensure that adequate risk management strategies are in place, e.g., safety and security, insurance, data backup, Director succession, Trustee succession, prudent fund management etc. so that the MA does not face undue risk. Define criteria for Board membership, ensure proper recruitment of candidates, provide a mentor system for new trustees, elect Trustees and ensure the proper orientation and development of Board members. Define and assess Board effectiveness including the effectiveness of individual Board members on a yearly basis. Define the role and recruit the National Director, appraising and rewarding performance. Ensure effectiveness of the MA’s leadership and management without intruding in management’s role and authority. Act with integrity and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets. NB: These accountabilities are in line with those recommended by the Charities Commission.
A trustee may serve on the Board for up to three terms (a term being three years) making nine years in total. The Board may extend this in special circumstances so as not to lose vital expertise due to a technicality of tenure. For a more detailed explanation of these matters and a list of legal reasons where you might not be permitted to become a trustee please see www.gov.uk/charity-trustee-disqualification. 4 MA – The Role of the Board Purpose To be collectively legally and morally accountable for the health and effectiveness of the MA, ensuring that the MA achieves its mission in an ethical, transparent, accountable, and prudent manner. Accountabilities Ensure that the MA is relevant to the community it serves through processes that monitor the external environment and define the vision, direction, and strategy. Define and monitor key areas of performance, assess results, and ensure that steps are taken to continuously improve, develop and evolve, hence ensuring the long term viability of the organisation. Ensure the and long term financial sustainability and solvency of the MA. Ensure compliance of the MA with relevant charity and financial laws and regulations and with its own governing rules. Ensure that adequate risk management strategies are in place, e.g., safety and security, insurance, data backup, Director succession, Trustee succession, prudent fund management etc. so that the MA does not face undue risk. Define criteria for Board membership, ensure proper recruitment of candidates, provide a mentor system for new trustees, elect Trustees and ensure the proper orientation and development of Board members. Define and assess Board effectiveness including the effectiveness of individual Board members on a yearly basis. Define the role and recruit the National Director, appraising and rewarding performance. Ensure effectiveness of the MA’s leadership and management without intruding in management’s role and authority. Act with integrity and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets. NB: These accountabilities are in line with those recommended by the Charities Commission.
Trustee-Handbook-Oct-2016.docx