The role of a charity trustee
The role of a charity trustee
Executive Committees are known as Trustee Boards. This came into effect for members in Scotland in July 2023, and all others from April 2023. 'Executive Committee' and associated wording will still be visible on Compass and the website as we move to our new way of volunteering.
To learn more about what we are doing to improve how we volunteer at Scouts, visit the Volunteer Experience webpages.
The Charity Commission for England & Wales outlines the main responsibilities and duties of charity trustees as follows:
- Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- Comply with your charities’ governing document (in the Scouts this is POR) and the law
- Act in your charity’s best interests
- Ensure your charity is accountable
- Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
- Act with reasonable care and skill
The various charity regulators provide some helpful publications to provide useful supporting information to help explain the role of a charity trustee. These include:
Charity Commission for England & Wales
- CC3 - The Essential Trustee: What you need to know, what you need to do
- RS23 - A Breath of Fresh Air: Young People as Charity Trustees
Find these publications on the Charity Commission's website.
OSCR
- Guidance and Good Practice for Charity Trustees
- Guidance for Charity Trustees – easy read guide
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
- CCNI EG024 – Running Your Charity
Find this publication on the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's website.