TRUSTEE ROLE DESCRIPTION - Solace



TRUSTEE ROLE DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of SOLACE. The organisation is a charity and Board members are Trustees of the charity. Solace is also incorporated as a limited company and all Trustees are also therefore directors of the company.

Board members are responsible for directing the affairs of the organisation, ensuring it is solvent and well run and delivering its charitable outcomes. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of SOLACE through drafting and agreeing a Business Plan and a range of other documents and policies, and delegating to the Manager responsibility for operational implementation of the Plan.

Board members must generally:

• set and safeguard the vision, values and reputation of SOLACE;

• work within and promote the policies of SOLACE;

• act at all times in the best interests of SOLACE, its clients and its employees;

• help to deliver the strategic plan for the future of SOLACE.

• Take responsibility for the appointment and appraisal of the Director of Solace, providing the necessary support and direction as required.

Board members have the following responsibilities:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP OF SOLACE

• To develop strategic plans for SOLACE and contribute to the organisation achieving the goals in its strategic and operational plans.

• To contribute to and review operational plans for SOLACE.

• To contribute to the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of SOLACE’s services. This includes evaluating data and assessing the outcomes and impact of the organisation’s work.

• To contribute to reviewing and developing organisational policies.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

• To prepare for and attend regular meetings of the Board and participate in a collaborative and constructive manner.

• Along with the rest of the Board, ensure that the Board has a mixture of knowledge, skills and experience that are relevant to the organisation’s circumstances and needs.

• To contribute to the recruitment, induction and support of new Board members.

• To provide support to other Board members.

• To attend the Annual General Meeting, other training events as required by the Chair, and participate in meetings and sessions with the Manager and others.

• To participate in an annual peer review of your contribution to the Board and to contribute to the annual Board review of its performance.

The Charity Commission defines ‘duty of compliance’, ‘duty of prudence’ and ‘duty of care’ as part of a Trustee’s role. This incorporates the following duties:

DUTY OF COMPLIANCE

• To ensure that SOLACE complies with the requirements of company and charity law and the Charity Commission as regulators. In particular, Board members must ensure that SOLACE provides reports on its work and submits annual returns to the Charity Commission.

• To ensure SOLACE complies with the rules, charitable purpose and objects set out in its constitution and that the organisation’s purpose remains relevant and valid.

• To ensure the organisation is achieving its outcomes and reporting these to funders as required.

• To ensure health and safety legislation and practice is being adhered to and the services are run in a safe manner.

• To ensure that the organisation is compliant with other relevant legislation, such as employment law.

DUTY OF PRUDENCE

• To ensure the charity remains solvent and to safeguard its assets through ensuring that the organisation is managing its finances effectively, reporting on income and expenditure and undertaking an annual preparation of accounts.

• To ensure SOLACE’s finances are used appropriately, prudently, lawfully and in accordance with its objects.

• To maintain and regularly review the systems of financial control, policies and procedures.

• To behave with integrity in managing the organisation. This includes identifying, understanding and managing any conflicts of interest which may arise.

• To review and identify major risks to which the organisation is exposed and develop systems and procedures to manage those risks.

DUTY OF CARE

• To ensure clients of SOLACE receive an effective, respectful, compassionate, consistent and respectful service.

• To ensure the staff, paid and voluntary, are managed and supported in a consistent and positive manner.

• To ensure that clients, staff, volunteers and Board members are treated in a manner which respects their diversity, including their age, gender and cultural background.

• To foster a working environment which supports constructive challenge and welcomes differing points of view.

• To ensure staff, paid and voluntary, are upholding their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding adults and children.

• To undertake appropriate consultation on significant changes to the organisation’s services, policies and practices.

• To be mindful of the organisation’s responsibilities to the wider community, such as environmental impact.

In order to fulfil the above responsibilities, Board members must make sure that they keep up to date with what SOLACE is doing, through attending meetings and events, and reading documents they are sent. Board members must give sufficient time and energy to SOLACE to ensure they are fulfilling the duties of the role and contributing to the ongoing success of the organisation.

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