To be a trustee of an organisation is an engaging and fulfilling role. The role of a trustee is to ensure that the Sampson’s Trust fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on our ambition and values. The most effective boards are ones which benefit from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, experience and skill sets.
At its simplest, the role of the trustee board is to receive weekly maintenance charge (“WMC”) from beneficiaries in order to maintain the Almshouses for current and future generations, safeguard them and apply them to the charitable purpose of the Sampson’s Trust. The trustee board must always act in the best interests of the Sampson’s Trust. The trustee board must act as a group and not as individuals.
The statutory duties of a trustees are:
To ensure the charity complies with its governing document – sometimes known as a trust deed, constitution, or articles of association.
To ensure that the charity pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.
To ensure that the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuance ofits objectives – the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how ‘charitable’ and ‘worthwhile’ those activities are.
To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation.
To safeguard the good name and the values of the charity .
To ensure the financial stability of the charity.
To protect and manage the property of the charity and ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
In addition with other trustees to hold the charity “in trust” for current and future beneficiaries by:
Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
To attend the meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over the security, deployment and proper application.
Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.
As well as the various statutory duties, any trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board make good decisions.
SAMPSON’S ALMSHOUSES
Each trustee must have:
A commitment to the purpose and ambition of the Sampson’s Trust.
A willingness to meet the time requirement for being a trustee.
A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Integrity
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement.
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak their mind.
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of the Sampson’s Trust.