Roles & Responsibilities of Trustees

 Responsible for directing the charity

  • Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.

 Comply with charity law

  • Trustees must ensure that the charity complies with charity law, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator; in particular ensure that the charity prepares reports on what it has achieved.

 Remain true to the charitable purpose

  • Ensure that the charity remains true to the charitable purpose.

 Comply with the requirements of other legislation

  • Comply with the requirements of other legislation and other regulators (if any) which govern the activities of the charity.

 Act with integrity

  • Act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets.

Remain solvent

  • Ensure that the charity is and will remain solvent.

 Use charitable funds and assets reasonably

  • Use charitable funds and assets reasonably, and only in furtherance of the charity’s objects.

 Manage risks

  • Avoid undertaking activities that might place the charity’s endowment, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk.

 Take care when investing funds

  • Take special care when investing the funds of the charity, or borrowing funds for the charity to use.

 Use reasonable care and skill in their work

  • Use reasonable care and skill in their work as Trustees, using their personal skills and experience as needed to ensure that the charity is well-run and efficient.

 Get external professional advice

  • Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties.

Clarity about the Trustee role

The Governance Hub’s Good Governance Guide states that every organisation should be led and controlled by an effective board of Trustees which collectively ensures delivery of its objects, sets its strategic direction and upholds its values.  This means that Trustees should focus on the strategic direction of their organisation, and avoid becoming involved in day-to-day operational decisions and matters.  Where Trustees do need to become involved in operational matters, they should separate their strategic and operational roles. http://www.governancehub.org.uk/

The board of Trustees should have clear responsibilities and functions, and should compose and organise itself to discharge them effectively.

Relate Milton Keynes

Relate Milton Keynes is an independent charity and a member of the national Relate Federation, which is the leading provider of relationship support.

We help individuals, couples and families to build better relationships through our range of support services.

Our work has become even more critical post pandemic, with the impact of rising cost-of-living on families and individuals and the growing need for support for people’s mental health.

The Board of Relate MK meets quarterly and they are provided with the relevant information and reports in advance of the meetings.

As a Trustee you be making a real difference to people’s lives through quality governance, setting and monitoring strategic goals and using your knowledge or experience to help us make sound decisions. Most importantly we welcome your support for the work of Relate MK and your willingness to make the time commitment that is required.

 If you would like more information about becoming a Trustee of Relate MK, please contact:

Maggie Macleod (Manager Relate MK), maggie.macleod@relatemk.org