The Regulator for Charities in England and Wales
As at August 2001 , the Commission held details of just over 739,000 individuals currently acting as a trustee of a registered charity. Some of these will be trustees of more than one charity. This figure excludes trustees of unregistered and exempt charities. Overall, we estimate that there are currently over a million trustee positions in England and Wales.
During summer 2001, a random sample of 3000 charities was taken from the Commission's register. The sample was taken across four income bands:
| Small | Less than £10,000 |
| Medium | £10,001-£250,000 |
| Large | £250,001-£999,999 |
| Very large | £1M+ |
NOP were commissioned to carry out a postal survey of the trustee recruitment, selection and induction practices in the selected charities. The initial phase of the survey consisted of a postal questionnaire, which was developed jointly between the Charity Commission and NOP.
The postal survey achieved a 47% return rate, which is high for surveys of this nature. In total 1401 completed forms were returned to NOP for analysis.
Charity size and proportions sampled and returned
|
Size of Charity |
Income band |
% in total register |
% selected for mailing |
% in return |
|
Small |
Less than £10,000 |
65 |
50 |
45 |
|
Medium |
£10,001 - £250,000 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Large |
£250,001 - £999,999 |
4 |
10 |
11 |
|
Very large |
£1,000,000 plus |
2 |
10 |
13 |
The second phase of the survey was to carry out in-depth telephone interviews using a script developed jointly between the Charity Commission and NOP. 50 charities, covering the chosen income bands, were interviewed in an attempt to explore in more detail issues relating to trustee recruitment, selection and induction.
During this period seminars were arranged with staff in the Charity Commission to discuss issues and experiences arising from trustee recruitment, selection and induction practices. Illustrative studies relating to practices in charities were obtained from the Charity Commission’s rich casework archive. Meetings with charities were also held to help gather information about trustee recruitment, selection and induction.
Open questions, or those where a charity could choose more than one option predominate. Tables 5,11, 12, and 14 show the results of questions where the charity could give only one answer and therefore these are the only tables where the aggregate score equals 100%.
Charities were asked to confirm the size of their present trustee board and to state what they think the ideal number of trustees for their charity is.
Table 1: Current number of trustees, and ideal number of trustees
|
Number of trustees |
Current |
Ideal |
|
% |
% | |
|
1-5 |
46 |
42 |
|
6-10 |
33 |
32 |
|
11-15 |
13 |
15 |
|
16+ |
7 |
7 |
|
Don’t Know |
1 |
4 |
Charities were asked to confirm how new trustees are appointed.
Table 2: How trustees are appointed. Percentage of Charities that have one or more trustees appointed by each method
|
Method of appointment |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Elected |
49 |
46 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
|
Nominated or co-opted by current trustees |
51 |
44 |
60 |
78 |
71 |
|
Appointed by another body |
20 |
20 |
19 |
19 |
28 |
|
Appointed by virtue of a position held elsewhere |
31 |
35 |
24 |
22 |
25 |
|
Not stated |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
During in-depth interviews charities were asked to explain what they felt people gained from trusteeship. Many charities agreed that acting as a trustee is personally fulfilling because it enables people to contribute to a cause which they have a particular interest in.
"Personal satisfaction that they have done something worthwhile".
"The pleasure of being associated with a business-like and valuable charity".
"There is some satisfaction in helping a charity and getting involved in the third world and donating time and perhaps money or resources to the charity".
A range of charities were asked to comment during in-depth interviews whether they felt it was more difficult to recruit new trustees today than it was five years ago.
Table 3: Difficulty of recruiting compared to 5 years ago
|
Difficulty |
Total |
|
Base: All in-depth interviews |
50 |
|
% | |
|
Same |
48 |
|
Worse |
36 |
|
Easier |
6 |
|
Don’t Know |
10 |
The interviews uncovered a range of views.
"I don’t think five years has made much of a difference".
"There are intense time pressures everywhere, both in business and academia. People simply can’t spare the time".
We asked charities to confirm the frequency with which they appointed new trustees.
Table 4: Frequency of recruitment
|
Frequency |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Twice a year |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Annually |
31 |
28 |
31 |
26 |
23 |
|
Every 2-5 years |
9 |
11 |
8 |
13 |
17 |
|
When the need arises or to keep numbers up |
12 |
9 |
15 |
14 |
12 |
|
Always/constantly |
5 |
3 |
7 |
12 |
8 |
|
Rarely need to/hardly ever |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
|
Never/don’t need to |
8 |
10 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
As vacancies occur |
13 |
11 |
15 |
17 |
14 |
|
Due to retirement resignation/death |
22 |
22 |
22 |
18 |
22 |
In-depth interviews probed why some charities recruit new trustees within a five-year period. The main reason given was that it is a requirement in the charity’s governing document. Other reasons included:
"Simply because people indicate that they want to stand down".
"New people have new ideas".
"Brings new blood into the charity".
Lack of knowledge and continuity were seen as the biggest disadvantages of recruiting trustees at intervals of less than five years.
In-depth interviews also explored the experiences of charities that do not recruit new trustees frequently. The main reason was that the regular recruitment of new trustees was not a requirement of the charity’s governing document. Other reasons included:
"We are happy with our trustees that we have at the moment and can see no reason to change them".
"People build up experience".
"Greater continuity in carrying forward a strategic plan".
A lack of new input and new initiative were seen as the biggest disadvantages to recruiting new trustees on an infrequent basis.
Charities were asked to indicate if they ever faced difficulties in recruiting and selecting new trustees.
Table 5: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Difficulties faced |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Always |
12 |
11 |
14 |
9 |
5 |
|
Sometimes |
31 |
27 |
36 |
45 |
50 |
|
Never |
53 |
57 |
48 |
45 |
44 |
|
Not stated |
4 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Charities were asked to indicate if they experienced any difficulties when recruiting new trustees.
Table 6: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Difficulties |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Insufficient applicants/shortage of candidates |
14 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
|
Finding people who are willing to make the commitment or have time |
35 |
29 |
43 |
42 |
58 |
|
Finding people who have the necessary skills/experience |
12 |
5 |
16 |
41 |
52 |
|
People do not want the responsibility |
11 |
10 |
14 |
10 |
4 |
|
Finding people who are interested |
9 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
|
Finding younger people/current trustees are elderly |
7 |
7 |
9 |
2 |
4 |
In-depth interviews explored with charities the main difficulties they faced in recruiting new trustees.
"People nowadays do not want the commitment and responsibility".
"The people who are willing to serve may not have the skills you are looking for".
Charities were asked what methods they had used, or would consider using, to help them recruit new trustees.
Table 7: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Methods used |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Persuasion |
16 |
21 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
|
Asking/approaching suitable people |
10 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
|
Word of mouth |
7 |
6 |
6 |
17 |
18 |
|
By asking members/people already involved in the organisation |
6 |
4 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
Personal contact |
5 |
4 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
We asked charities to indicate why they perceived they did not face difficulties when recruiting new trustees.
Table 8: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large | |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
People are interested in the aims of the organisation |
12 |
11 |
15 |
21 |
9 |
|
We are a small group/ organisation/ church |
12 |
13 |
10 |
- |
8 |
|
Members are always willing to become trustees or are automatically trustees |
19 |
20 |
19 |
23 |
15 |
|
Service users willing to join/parents/ parishioners/ congregation |
8 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
7 |
|
Large number/ pool of people to choose from |
8 |
7 |
9 |
15 |
20 |
|
All ex-officio trustees |
9 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
|
Small duties involved |
6 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
- |
|
Existing trustees recommend somebody |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
|
Appointments are made through bureau/local authorities |
4 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
|
We are a small village/town |
4 |
5 |
3 |
- |
- |
|
We have long serving trustees |
4 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
Appointments are made through parish/branches |
4 |
5 |
3 |
- |
1 |
|
Suitable/ high calibre experienced people available |
3 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
12 |
|
It is a matter of prestige/honour to be a trustee |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
11 |
|
Good reputation of charity/organisation |
1 |
* |
1 |
6 |
17 |
Charities were asked to confirm what methods they used to attract new trustees.
Table 9: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Methods used |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Word of mouth and personal recommendation |
68 |
63 |
74 |
84 |
85 |
|
Networking with other charities |
6 |
3 |
11 |
20 |
14 |
|
Trustees are elected from the membership |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
|
Advertising in the press |
3 |
2 |
5 |
11 |
11 |
|
Use of trustee brokerage service |
1 |
* |
1 |
2 |
3 |
In-depth interviews were used to explore with charities in more detail the various methods used to attract new trustees.
"Initially, individuals are asked to come to a meeting with existing trustees present and see if it is to their liking".
"Generally, because somebody knows somebody, who they think could be a good person".
"Prospective trustees are usually approached at meetings or social events".
"The organisation and what it stands for is really what spurs members on to stand for election".
Charities were asked to confirm if they prepared in advance tools to assist the recruitment and selection process.
Table 10: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Activities |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
A skills audit of trustees |
11 |
6 |
15 |
40 |
41 |
|
Provide trustee job descriptions |
18 |
13 |
26 |
37 |
36 |
|
Use a dedicated recruiting committee |
6 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
12 |
Charities were asked to confirm whether they made any checks on prospective trustees prior to appointment.
Table 11: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Are checks made? |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Yes |
33 |
28 |
41 |
40 |
55 |
|
No |
59 |
63 |
53 |
54 |
39 |
|
Not stated |
8 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Charities with elected trustees were asked to confirm how often the same people were re-elected.
Table 12: Survey findings - Trustee recruitment and selection
|
Frequency of re-election |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Always |
32 |
32 |
33 |
29 |
35 |
|
Sometimes |
62 |
62 |
61 |
68 |
59 |
|
Never |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 | |
|
Not Stated |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
In-depth interviews probed the issue of re-election in more detail.
"The only reason we don’t recruit is because we can’t find anybody to recruit, that’s the problem".
"We don’t have any requirement in our trust deeds for regular re-appointment of trustees so people serve indefinitely until they cease to be trustees".
Charities were asked to confirm if, as a matter of course, they provided new trustees with key pieces of information about the charity.
Table 13: What do charities provide for new trustees?
|
Information |
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very large |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Charity accounts |
69 |
63 |
78 |
86 |
91 |
|
Minutes of previous meetings |
63 |
58 |
71 |
78 |
81 |
|
The charity’s governing document |
55 |
48 |
66 |
81 |
86 |
|
A formal tour/induction process |
22 |
14 |
31 |
57 |
75 |
|
Not stated |
16 |
20 |
9 |
4 |
4 |
"A copy of anything and everything".
"They will have talks about what they might bring and what they hope the outcome of their term will be, but there is no structured induction".
"The type of people we are taking on as trustees have probably got all the skills they need to run the charity".
Charities were asked to confirm if they recorded the appointment of a new trustee in the charity’s record or minutes book.
Table 14: Is the appointment of the new trustee formally recorded?
|
Total |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Very Large | |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% | |
|
Yes |
80 |
76 |
86 |
91 |
95 |
|
No |
15 |
17 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
|
Not Stated |
5 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
There are many resources which charity trustees can tap into to help them with recruitment, selection and induction issues. While this is not a definitive list of all the sources of information available, it does offer a good overview and a useful starting point.
These organisations can provide you with a wide range of help, support and information.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales
Responsibility for charities is split between our four offices. Further information can be obtained from the Commission at:
| London | Liverpool | Taunton | Newport |
| Harmsworth House | 12 Princes Dock |
Woodfield House | 8th Floor, Clarence House |
| 13-15 Bouverie Street | Princes Parade | Tangier | Clarence Place |
| London | Liverpool | Taunton | Newport |
| EC4Y 8DP | L3 1DE | Somerset | NP19 7AA |
| TA1 4BL | |||
| Tel: 0870 3330123 | Minicom: 0870 3330125 | ||
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Extensive information available on all the issues covered in this report and a wide range of support services.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Regent’s Wharf
8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL
Tel: 0800 2798798
Website: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
National Association for Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS)
The NACVS network provides a wide range of information and support for charities.
National Association for Councils for Voluntary Service
3rd Floor Arundel Court
177 Arundel Street
Sheffield S1 2NU
Tel: 0114 278 6636
Website: www.nacvs.org.uk
Directory of Social Change (DSC)
The Directory promotes positive social change and provides a wide range of resources for trustees.
| London | Liverpool |
| 24 Stephenson Way | Federation House |
| London NW1 2DP | Hope Street |
| Liverpool L1 9BW | |
| Tel (Books): 020 7209 5151 | |
| Tel (Training and Events): London 020 7209 4949 & Liverpool 0151 708 0117 | |
| e-mail (Training and Events): | |
| London e-mail | Liverpool: e-mail |
| Website: www.dsc.org.uk | |
Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators (ICSA)
ICSA provides information and good practice guidance on governance issues affecting the sector. They also have a trustee register (see below) available to charities needing new trustees.
16 Park Crescent
London W1B 1AH
Tel: 020 7580 4741
Website: www.icsa.org.uk
BoardSource
This American organisation, formerly the National Center for Non-Profit Boards (NCNB) provides a wealth of good practice advice on issues concerning trustee governance. The website is comprehensive and there is an e-mail facility for specific queries on increasing the effectiveness of your organisation.
Website: www.boardsource.org
Charity Trustee Networks
This charity offers trustees mutual support by encouraging and developing self-help trustee network groups providing cost effective, peer-to-peer consultancy and mentoring.
P O Box 633
Godalming GU8 5ZX
Tel/fax: 01428 682 252
Website: trusteenetworks.org.uk
VolResource
This Internet-only resource for charities offers quick links to useful organisations concerned with the effective running of charities.
Website: www.volresource.org.uk
ACEVO provides good practice resources and information on sector issues.
ACEVO
83 Victoria Street
London
SW1H OHW
Tel: 0845 345 8481
Website: www.acevo.org.uk
Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) & the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO)
EMF and CEMVO develop resources for black and minority ethnic organisations, these include networking and training opportunities and a trustee register.
Boardman House
64, Broadway
Stratford
London E15 1NG
Tel: 020 8435 0000 or Freephone: 0800 6520390
Website: www.ethnicminorityfund.org.uk
Journals, magazines and newspapers
The following publications often cover issues relevant to trustee recruitment, selection and induction.
Charity Times
Website: www.charitytimes.com
Subscriptions: 020 7426 0496/0123
Voluntary Sector
Contact NCVO for details.
Third Sector
Subscriptions: 020 8709 9050
Charity Finance
Subscriptions: 020 7819 1204
Charity Management
Write to the address below for subscription information:
Mitre House Publishing
The Clifton Centre
110 Clifton Street
London EC 2A 4HD
The Guardian – Society section on Wednesdays.
Website: www.SocietyGuardian.co.uk
Trustee registers and brokerage services
NCVO free booklet Trustee bank: A directory of trustee brokerage services details a range of trustee finding services. Trustees can also refer to magazines and journals to check advertisements for trustee brokerage services and consider contacting their local Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) office for further information. ICSA and EMF also offer trustee registers - see above for contact information.
Books and other publications
The following resources are a good starting point on the general issue of trustee recruitment, selection and induction, which are covered in this report. A more detailed list of books and other publications can be found in the bibliography section.
Akpeki, T. (2001) Recruiting and supporting black and minority ethnic trustees, NCVO, London.
Ashby, J. (1997) Towards voluntary sector codes of practice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York.
Cairns, E. (1997) Charities: law and practice, Sweet & Maxwell, London.
Charity Commission, Responsibilities of Charity Trustees (CC3), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, The Hallmarks of a Well-run Charity (CC60), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, Users on Board: Beneficiaries who become trustees (CC24), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, Trustee responsibilities (available only on the Commission's Website), Charity Commission
Cornforth, Chris. (2001) Recent trends in charity governance and trusteeship, NCVO, London.
Directory of Social Change, (1994) How to be a better trustee (Part 1: roles and responsibilities).
Eastwood, M. (2001) The charity trustee’s handbook, Directory of Social Change, London.
Ford, K. (1993) The effective trustee: roles and responsibilities, Directory of Social Change, London.
Ford, K. (1992) Trustee training and support needs, NCVO, London.
Hind, A. (1995) The governance and management of charities, The Voluntary Sector Press, High Barnet.
Hudson, K. (1999) Managing without profit, Penguin, London.
The College of Law: Legal Network TV (2001) Charities: tools for trustees, LNTV, London.
Luxton P The Law of Charities(2001) Oxford University Press
NCVO (1999) The good trustee guide, NCVO, London.
NCVO (1992) On trust: increasing the effectiveness of charity trustees and management committees, NCVO, London.
NCVO (1997) Getting on board: strategies for finding and supporting trustees; Trustee briefing No. 4.
Palmer, P., and Harrow, J. (1994) Rethinking charity trusteeship, ICSA, London.
Picarda, H. (1995) The law and practice relating to charities, Butterworths, London.
Quint, F. (1999) Running a charity, Jordans, London.
Warburton, J (1995) Tudor on Charities, 8th Ed., Sweet & Maxwell, London.
ACEVO, (1998) Partners in leadership: towards a new style of governance and management for professionally managed charities, ACEVO, London.
Akpeki, T. (2001) Recruiting and supporting black and minority ethnic trustees, NCVO, London.
Akpeki, T. Getting the best board. In Vision (supplement to Voluntary Sector) August-September 2001.
Akpeki, T. What dreams may come. In ThirdSector Trustee February 2001.
Arnott, J. Thirst for knowledge. In ThirdSector Trustee February 2001.
Ashby, J. (1997) Towards voluntary sector codes of practice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York.
Burnett, K. Trusteeship. In ThirdSector May 17 2001.
Butler, T. Fully fledged? In ThirdSector June 29 2000.
Butler, T. Sounding boards. In ThirdSector Trustee February 2001.
Cairns, E. (1997) Charities: law and practice, 3rd Ed., Sweet & Maxwell, London.
Canavon, M and Smith, P. (2001) Representing the people ; democracy and diversity, Local Government Association, London.
Charity Commission, Registering as a Charity (CC21), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, Choosing and Preparing a Governing Document (CC22), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, Users on Board: Beneficiaries who become trustees (CC24), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, The Hallmarks of an Effective Charity (CC60), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, Responsibilities of Charity Trustees (CC3), Charity Commission
Charity Commission, Making a Scheme (CC36), Charity Commission
Cornforth, Chris. (2001) Recent trends in charity governance and trusteeship, NCVO, London.
Directory of Social Change, (1994) How to be a better trustee (Part 1: roles and range.
Eastwood, M. (2001) The charity trustee’s handbook, Directory of Social Change, London.
Ford, K. (1992) Trustee training and support needs, NCVO, London.
Harris, M and Rochester, C (2001), Governance in the Jewish voluntary sector, Institute for Jewish Policy Research, London.
Hill, N. When service users enter the board room. In The Guardian/Society February 1 2001.
Hill, N. In the line of fire. In The Guardian/Society May 17 2000.
Hind, A. (1995) The governance and management of charities, The Voluntary Sector Press, High Barnet.
HLB Kidson in association with NGO Finance (2000) Voluntary sector governance survey 2000, Plaza Publishing Limited.
Hudson, K. (1999) Managing without profit, 2nd Ed., Penguin, London.
ICSA (1999) The appointment and induction of charity trustees, ICSA, London.
James, J. Fresh targets. In The Guardian/Society April 18 2001.
Laurance Linda Trustees and Conflict Management Croner CCH Voluntary Organisations Briefing, issue 106 February 2001
Legal Network TV. (2001) Charities: tools for trustees, The College of Law, London.
Luxton P The Law of Charities (2001) Oxford University PressMaggs, L. Making the difference. In ThirdSector May 17 2001.
McCurry, P. Charities give volunteer trustees the cold shoulder. In The Guardian/Society, May 10 2001.
McCurry, P. Charities cast the net wider in search for trustees. In The Guardian/Society February 1 2001.
McCurry, P. Charities must market volunteering to the young. In The Guardian/Society November 9 2001.
McCurry, P. Mixing it up. In Vision (supplement to Voluntary Sector) August-September 2001.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. What should I know before joining the board? NCNB. Ask NCNB.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. What goes in the board manual? Ask NCNB.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. Board member SOS. Board Member Vol. 9 No 10 November/December 2000.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. A star studded board. Board Member Vol. 10 No 2 February 2001.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. Clinging to the past - how can a new member make a difference on an old board. Board Member Vol. 8 No 6 June 1999.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. Board checklist. Board Member Vol. 8 No 6 June 1999.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. Nonprofits offer lesson in gender diversity. Board Member Vol. 8 No 6 June 1999.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. Making room for improvement. Board Member Vol. 10 No 3 March 2001.
National Center for Non-Profit Boards. Removing a difficult board member. Board Member Vol. 9 No 6 June 2000.
NCVO (1997) Trustee bank: A directory of trustee brokerage services: Trustee briefing No. 7, 2nd Ed., NCVO, London.
NCVO (1999) The good trustee guide, NCVO, London.
NCVO (1992) On trust : increasing the effectiveness of charity trustees and management committees, NCVO, London.
NCVO (1997) Getting on board: strategies for finding and supporting trustees; Trustee briefing No. 4, 2nd Ed., NCVO, London.
NCVO Research Quarterly May 1999.
NCVO Research Quarterly January 1998.
National Audit Office Report Giving Confidently: The Role of the Charity Commission in Regulating Charities October 2001.
National Centre for Volunteering. Diversity challenge. www.diversitychallenge.org
National Training Organisation (1999) Management matters: management development needs in the voluntary sector in Wales.
Nolan, P. Recruiting older volunteers. In Charities Management, Autumn 2000.
Parsons, R and Dyer, P. Take quality on board. In Vision (supplement to Voluntary Sector) August-September 2001.
Palmer, P., and Harrow, J. (1994) Rethinking charity trusteeship, ICSA, London.
Picarda, H. (1995) The law and practice relating to charities, 2nd Ed., Butterworths, London.
Quint, F. (1999) Running a charity, 2nd Ed., Jordans, London.
Ramrayka, L. Jewish organisations hit by volunteer shortage. In The Guardian/ Society April 19 2001.
Ramrayka, L. The good guide. In Vision (supplement to Voluntary Sector) August-September 2001.
Sandison, A. Recruiting trustees the easy way. In Voice March 2000.
Sandison, A. The need for a considered approach to appointing charity trustees. In Charities Management, Spring 1997.
Sargent, N, and Kirkland, K. (1995) Building on trust: a study of charity trustees, NCVO, London.
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Trustees - Means charity trustees. Charity trustees are the people who are responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the charity, regardless of what they are called. You are a charity trustee if you are:
Trustee board - We use the word board to refer to a charity’s governing body.
Breach of trust - Means acting in a way which is inconsistent with the powers and duties of the trustee, whether those powers and duties are set out in the charity’s governing document, or are part of general law.(2)
Governing document - In most cases the rules for running the charity will be set out in a trust deed, a will, a constitution or the memorandum and articles of association of a company. They may sometimes (though not often) be found in a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament. In any of these cases, except that of a company, there may also be one or more Schemes made by the Charity Commission or by the High Court. Whatever form the documents take in any particular case, they are referred to as "the governing document" in this report.(3)
Must - Is used to refer to actions that trustees are obliged to take, most of these are legal requirements.
Should - Is used to suggest actions which we consider to be good practice and which we expect trustees to follow.
Small, Medium, Large, Very large charity – NOP survey groups
We would like to thank everyone who has co-operated in the production of this report, especially the charities that gave their time to take part in the NOP survey or to speak to our staff. Thanks also go to Tesse Akpeki of NCVO and Linda Laurance of Charity Trustee networks for their advice and support.