Information for Charities

This page contains information for both existing and would-be charities to consider when thinking about trusteeship.

Resources

CC News
Published four times a year by the Charity Commission, CC News is a really important tool for trustees, their advisers and potential trustees.

Resource packs from ICAEW on the duties of charity trustees, the role of honorary treasurers and charity fraud.

Research 

Young, Gifted....And a Charity Trustee? - Survey conducted online in July 2013 by Nicholas Fryer, a Charityworks graduate programme participant.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Young People as Charity Trustees - Report from the Charity Commission

Recruitment

Survey research carried out last year by the Charity Commission revealed that charity register applicants tend to rely on informal networks to recruit much-needed trustees and develop their organisations. The report, Birth of a charity: Governance of organisations seeking registered charitable status provides an insight into the experiences and perceptions of those applying to register as a charity, and their work with trustees. It highlighted that:

• There was a clear demand for trustees among a large proportion of survey respondents, with around a third (34%) stating they were seeking to recruit.
• Trustees were commonly recruited from organisations’ existing staff, volunteers or members (53%), with 46% of respondents enlisting trustees via personal connections and 39% by word of mouth.
• Only 10% of respondents advertised vacancies online, and 6% in the press.
• 41% of respondents claimed their trustees had sought support from another charity operating in a similar field. This was second only to the Charity Commission (44%).

Model Job Descriptions and Person Specifications

Templates available for organisations to download and use, from charity recruitment specialist Prospectus, in support of Trustees' Week.

Week 1: Trustee
Week 2: Treasurer 
Week 3: Chair 
Sample Interview Questions to be used when recruiting board members 

Trustee Recruiters

* Reach Volunteering
A charity dedicated to helping the third sector thrive. Reach’s TrusteeWorks service has placed more than 1000 trustees, offering everything from a free entry level service through to executive recruitment for harder-to-fill positions.

* Charity PeopleCharity People's SMaRTprogramme, launched in 2011, brings in senior executives from some of the most prestigious UK companies, interested in acting as Trustees, expert volunteers and mentors in the sector. It provides a matching service for these organisations to ensure a strong fit between candidate and charity. This gives users free access to a source of highly talented, successful individuals keen to become Trustees.

Alongside the free SMaRTprogramme, Charity People offers specialist recruitment services. They can provide advice on Board make-up, develop a sourcing strategy and provide research and head hunting capabilities and selection support through assessment centres and structured interviews.

* Prospectus
Offers a range of trustee recruitment services and recruits for positions within the not-for-profit and third sector.

* Good People
Works with progressive organisations and leading brands to design, develop and scale game-changing social ventures.

*Trustees Unlimited
A joint venture between Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, the National Council for Voluntary and Community Organisations (NCVO), and Russam GMS. Works to match people with roles including charity trustees, directors and volunteers.

Burton Sweet, Bristol-based chartered accountants and business advisers, provide some information on Finding Trustees below:

RSA for over 250 years this charity has led research and public thinking and stimulated social change. The Fellowship includes more than 27,000 individuals who are achievers and influencers, from an extraordinary range of backgrounds. They are committed to civic innovation and social progress. Local Fellows networks are a great source of contacts and referrals.

Nationally, the RSA operates its Skills Bank, to project match organisations with Fellows willing to share expertise and resources to help explore solutions to pressing social problems.

See: http://www.thersa.org/fellowship/skills-bank

GWE Business West One of the leading not-for-profit business organisations in the West of England (part of the National Federation of Business Networks) it offers a major programme of networking and social events, many open to non-members. Many member businesses encourage their staff to contribute to society in voluntary roles in their spare time. See www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk

Rotary International There are many Rotary groups and networks in the West Country, including:

Bristol Bridge Rotary Club – a group of younger business people who meet for breakfast on Thursday mornings to network, socialise and organise fundraising and volunteering activities to support the local community. Guests are welcome. See: www.bristolbridgerotary.org.uk

Rotary Club of Bristol Breakfast - its members come from a wide range of business and professional backgrounds, there is a Wednesday morning breakfast meeting from 7am – 8.30am, guests can attend at the invitation of a member.  See: www.bristolbreakfastclub.co.uk

Institute of Chartered Accountants - the South West Region pages on the Institute’s website offer a free listing “job board” that charities can use to seek volunteer help from chartered accountants – such as volunteer treasurers. See: www.icaew.com and go to the South West region pages.

Social networking/business e networks

Try the social networks that are most relevant to your skills needs and to your charity. For business networks consider:

Linked In A web based forum for strengthening and extending professional networks of trusted contacts www.linkedin.com These specialist groups are particularly relevant: Charity Finance and Governance UK; Charity Finance; Charity UK; Not-for-profit Bristol & Avon; UK Charity Trustees; Bristol Business on Board; Charity Network UK; ICSA Charity Group.

Balancing the board and encouraging diversity

Bath Business Women’s Association has over 200 members from across the West region, guests are welcome at events see: www.bbwa.biz

Women Mean Biz collaborates with GWE Business West to offer networks in Bath, Bristol, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare and offers lunchtime networking events see www.womenmeanbiz.co.uk

Ladies Who Latte free networking for ladies in business: turn up, grab a coffee and make connections. The Bristol group meets on the second Wednesday of the month in the first floor lounge at Goldbrick House, Park Street 10.15am – 12 noon.

Soroptimists International of Bristol the local branch of the international network of women serving the global community contact sibristol@googlemail.com tel: 07806 702225

Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations CEMVO has regional offices across the UK.  It operates a trustee brokering service.

Specialist sectors

School governors – the School Governors One Stop Shop website lists vacancies. See www.sgoss.org.uk

Housing Associations – the National Housing Federation uses the Get On Board initiative to match people to vacancies on housing association boards. See: www.housing.org.uk