Urban Saints

Trustee Role Description

Trustees are the people responsible under the governing document of Urban Saints for controlling the management and administration of Urban Saints.

The purpose of a Trustee’s role is to:

  1. Participate actively on the Board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Urban Saints
  2. Work in partnership with the Chief Executive helping him/her to set and maintain the vision, mission and values of Urban Saints
  3. Optimise the relationship between the Board, the Leadership Team (the COG)and volunteers of Urban Saints
  4. Bring enthusiasm and passion to all involved with Urban Saints

The statutory duties of a Trustee are to actively participate on the Board to:

  • Ensure that Urban Saints complies at all times with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
  • Ensure that Urban Saints pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
  • Maintain proper financial control and ensure that Urban Saints uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
  • Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to Urban Saints, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
  • Safeguard the good name and values of Urban Saints
  • Ensure the effective and efficient administration of Urban Saints
  • Ensure the financial stability of Urban Saints
  • Protect and manage the property of Urban Saints and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds
  • Appoint the Chief Executive Officer andmonitor his/her performance

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience s/he has to help the board reach sound decisions. These may involve:

  • Scrutinising board papers,
  • Leading discussions,
  • Focusing on key issues,
  • Providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Urban Saints Trustee Board Responsibilities

As a Christian youth work organisation, we seek to work in a Christ like way, as a Christ-centred team, whilst taking seriously our responsibilities as charity Trustees. We consider our responsibilities as five core areas:

Statutory
Taking ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of Urban Saints so that charity and company law is complied with, accepting the duty of prudence and duty of care.
Strategic
Setting the strategic direction of the ministry in light of the external environment, approving the strategic plan and reviewing delivery of the same.
Stewardship
Safeguarding the assets of Urban Saints, protecting the good name, the well-being and performance of the team and the financial resources.
Sharpening
Providing a supportive environment to help shape the thinking of the Chief Executive and the leadership team, in challenging ideas and making decisions.
Spiritual
Hearing and articulating what God is saying, understanding the times and knowing what to do and to be regular and consistent in prayer for the ministry.

In practice, this means Trustees are to:

Statutory

  • Monitor Urban Saints’ performance in relation to the corporate plans, budgets, controls and decisions by attending and participating where possible in appropriate reviews linked to individuals, projects or corporate performance.
  • Oversee a framework of delegation and systems of control via Urban Saints’ risk assessment to ensure that due diligence is exercised by the Board and that there is clarity between the role and responsibilities of the Board and employees.
  • Actively and regularly review the Urban Saints risk assessment, tracking corrective action to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to safeguard compliance.
  • Look for external advice on all matters where there may be material risk to Urban Saints or where the Trustees maybe in breach of their duties.
  • Be aware of and declare to the Chair where a personal conflict of interest is or could be seen to be involved.

Strategic

  • Contribute to the direction and development of the strategic and corporate plan, approving them in due time. In doing so, Trustees must be certain that there is proper accountability to and involvement of all the organisation’s stakeholders.
  • Ensure that appropriate resources (personnel, financial, material) are secured with which to achieve agreed goals.
  • Foster constructive and innovative discussion.
  • Serve on a Board Support Group, to meet by Skype between each Board meeting, and to be prepared to rotate regularly to gain experience.

Stewardship

  • Understand the budgets and accounts, resolving any issues that may arise before approving them.
  • Understand where the organisation is financially vulnerable.
  • Ensure that Urban Saints will remain solvent and funds are only used in furtherance of the charity’s objects.
  • Contribute to and share responsibility on all matters that might create significant financial or other risk to the organisation, or which raise issues of principle.
  • Respect the confidentiality of information; uphold the organisation’s code of conduct, ensuring there is a spirit of openness and transparency in the Board’s dealings, as well as fairness and equality of opportunity in the governance of the organisation.
  • Promote Urban Saints to a wider audience of potential donors and beneficiaries.

Sharpening

  • Assure themselves that there are effective working relationships between the organisation and its external auditors and regulators.
  • Prepare for and attend meetings, and where possible, other events.
  • Attend training whereappropriate and relevant.
  • Consider the needs of the organisation and, where appropriate, make themselves available to participate in appointments where they have a particular expertise.
  • Work in partnership with the CEO to help him/ her achieve the vision, mission and values of Urban Saints.
  • Encourage Continual Professional Development at all levels in the organisation.

Spiritual

  • Uphold the core values of Urban Saints and be in full agreement with the Basis of Faith.
  • Bring enthusiasm and passion to all involved with Urban Saints.
  • Regard prayer as a major responsibility and seek to be open to the Holy Spirit.
  • ApplyChristian thinking at all levels of the work.

Person Specification

Urban Saints are looking for individuals who:

  • Will devote the necessary energy and time to the business of Urban Saints,
  • Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship,
  • Are capable of working effectively as a member of a team,
  • Have strategic vision,
  • Think creatively,
  • Engage good, independent judgement,
  • Will speak their mind in an appropriate way,
  • Have time to keep up to date with what Urban Saints is doing,
  • Will keep aware of developments in the charity and corporate sectors,
  • Contribute to the organisation’s overall performance.

A trustee is required to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and must always bear the interests of Urban Saints in mind.

Section 72(1) of the Charities Act 1993 disqualifies from being a Trustee anyone who:
  • Has been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is spent,
  • Is an undischarged bankrupt,
  • Has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners,
  • Is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
It is an offence to act as a charity Trustee while disqualified unless the Charity Commission has given a waiver under section 72(4) of the Charities Act 1993.

This role description is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and the volunteering placement may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. Neither of us intend any employment relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future.

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