Trustee Job Description

Introduction

You have both obligations and liabilities arising both from your position as a director of CHASE and as a Trustee. In particular, you should always bear in mind that, as a trustee, you are obliged to act in the best interests of CHASE at all times. You may not, as a trustee, derive any personal benefit from your office.

Principal Corporate Responsibilities as a Member of the Board of Trustees

Legal
To see that CHASE is operating within the constraints of the law and is abiding by its objects and constitution.
Financial
To see that any monies and property are held in trust for the beneficiaries of the Charity and that all financial matters are properly and effectively managed and to monitor financial performance on a regular basis.
Governance
Including: Participating when appropriate in the appointment of key staff. Identifying the vision, mission and objectives of CHASE and ensuring that its values are reflected in all of its activities. Evaluating the activities of CHASE. Representing CHASE to its wider family and public.

Main Tasks

  1. To take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation.
  2. To participate in the making of decisions and formulation of policies by the Board, to support agreed decisions and policies, and to observe confidentiality in respect of the Board's proceedings.
  3. With other Trustees, to ensure that the policies and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its aims.
  4. With other Trustees to ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
  5. To contribute personally specific skills and knowledge for the benefit of CHASE.

Main Duties

  1. Formulating strategic aims
    • To play a key role in the CHASE business planning process, in particular in setting and monitoring its vision, mission and objectives.
    • To review and approve the CHASE budget as part of the Board's discussions.To review and approve major policies, collectively with the Board.
  2. Ensuring policies and practices are in keeping with its aims
    • As a member of the Board of Trustees or any of its committees, sub-committees or working groups etc., to have regard at all times for the best interests of the organisation as a whole and those for whom it provides or seeks to provide a service, in particular.
    • To attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and, as appropriate, of its committees or working groups.
    • To represent the Board's policies and views whenever sitting on a (CHASE or external) committee, sub-committee or working group.
    • To ensure that proper financial controls are instituted and maintained.
    • To review the performance of the Chief Executive, in implementing the Board's policies and plans.
  3. Ensuring best practice
    • To be an active member of the trustee body in exercising its responsibilities and functions.
    • To monitor the activities of CHASE and encourage the maintenance of best practice standards.
    • To maintain good relations with the executive team and other staff.
    • To maintain a watching brief over the statutory and legal obligations to which CHASE is subjected and offer observations when appropriate.
    • To ensure that CHASE, its staff and volunteers act at all times in accordance with the statutory provisions, policies and procedures relating to the care and protection of life-limited children and their families.
    • To take part in training sessions provided for the benefit of trustees.
    • To fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the Trustee body.
  4. Personal skills contribution
    • To contribute personal skills and experience for the benefit of CHASE.
    • To promote the interests of CHASE, and to support its marketing activities.

Lead Trustee Duties

There are currently five Lead Trustees, who undertake additional responsibilities on behalf of the Board of Trustees for Care, Central Services, Finance, Sales and Marketing, and the CHASE Ben Hollioake Centre.

This specific role requires the incumbent:

  1. To provide advice, guidance and support for the Executive Team member and their staff within their given area.
  2. To monitor the workings and performance of their given area and to bring their familiarity with it into discussions with other members of the Board of Trustees.