Feltham, Hanworth and Bedfont

Volunteers are a vital part of the services provided by Age Concern Feltham Hanworth and Bedfont, and none is more vital than the role of a trustee. People that bring their skills, which are honed at work which can effectively be used to ensure that as an organisation Age Concern Feltham Hanworth and Bedfont is achieving its goals and fulfilling its role within an ever changing community.

Who becomes a trustee for a voluntary organisation and why? Read the profiles of our Chair and Vice Chair and find out why they joined Age Concern Feltham Hanworth and Bedfont.

Meet the Board of Trustees for 2008/09 of Age Concern Feltham Hanworth and Bedfont below:

Board of Trustees— Above from left to right: John Dimond,

Geoff Freemantle, Tim Robson (Chair) and Margaret Nash

Below from left to right: Denzil Whitethread, Doris Hendry and Joyce Cross (Vice Chair)

TRUSTEE PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person specifications for a trustee:-

· Have an understanding of the needs of older people and a commitment to

working for and with them

· Commitment to the organisation

· Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

· Strategic vision

· Good, independent judgement

· Ability to think creatively

· Willingness to speak their mind

· Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and

liabilities of trusteeship

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

· Nolan's seven principles of public life:

selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness,

honesty and leadership

In order to be able to carry out its duties effectively in what is a rapidly changing environment, our Trustee Board is in need of a diverse range of people of integrity who have valuable, specific professional skills and experiences to offer, as well as a commitment to the needs and aspirations of local older people being met.

We are particularly keen to receive applications from persons with skills and expertise in the following areas:

Strategic planning

Marketing & Communications

Fundraising & Financial Management

Contract Tendering

Health & Social Care Services (especially in commissioning/procurement)

Legal matters

Risk Management

The statutory duties of a trustee

To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing

document, charity law, company law and any other relevant

legislation or regulations

To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document

To ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: 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

To contribute actively to the board of trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets

To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation

To ensure the financial stability of the organisation

To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity's funds

If the charity employs staff, to appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance

Other duties

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve:

Scrutinising board papers

Leading discussions

Focusing on key issues

Providing guidance on new initiatives

Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise