TAKING EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION

Cecome a Trustee of a voluntary organisation may make you feel a bit nervous. There are so many things to consider, so many questions, including:-

--What happens in the organisation?

--What responsibilities will I have?

--What does that mean for me as a Trustee?

Hopefully, the information contained in this leaflet will have helped you to make up your mind about becoming a Trustee. But you may also be interested in what other people say about what they have gained by becoming a Trustee.

Becoming a Trustee gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and have fresh experiences. It also helps you become involved in making changes in the community by working with other team members to provide a safer and better enivronment for others.

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Some common questions and answers!

WHAT

SFSS is a charity and is governed by Trustees who have responsibility for the strategic direction and development of SFSS.

THIS MEANS THAT

The organisation has to comply with requirements under Charity Law, and that the Trustees have a responsibility to ensure that the organisation's activities are carried out in accordance with requirements of the governing document.

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WHAT

Committee meetings are held monthly at the office in Stirling, when the business of governing the organisation happens.

THIS MEANS THAT

Trustees are expected to attend every meeting, and take part in the discussions and decision-making. 

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WHAT Occasionally there are items on the agenda, where the decisions would conflict with decisions already made or due to be made by another organisation you may be involved with.

THIS MEANS THAT

As a committee member of SFSS, you must take no part in the discussions, and declare a conflict of interest.

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WHAT

Sometimes you may be asked to attend a meeting with another organisation or agency, as representative of SFSS.

THIS MEANS THAT

You must be clear about your purpose and remit to attend the meeting, and carry out the tasks you have been given, being aware that you are not attending in your own right, but are there in order to carry out the wishes of the committee on their behalf.

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WHAT

 Occasionally there are items on the agenda, which are sensitive [such as funding or financial information], or are  not yet in the public domain.

THIS MEANS THAT

You must not discuss them outwith the meeting, or with others not connected with the governance of SFSS.

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 WHAT

The effectiveness of the committee is enhanced when all  members are working together from the beginning

THIS MEANS THAT

All new members are expected to attend induction /awareness training, and existing members are expected  to be part of this process.

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WHAT

The committee is expected to have skills or experience to  assist in carrying out the governance function, and to  keep up to date with new legislation or current trends.

THIS MEANS THAT

 You will be expected to attend a certain number of  training workshops, usually held in SFSS premises. These workshops not only up-date your skills, but help members to get to know each other better, and to work more effectively as a team.

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 WHAT

SFSS employs 2 staff members (Plus our Volunteers!), and they take care of the administrative and operational side of the organisation.

 THIS MEANS THAT

The Trustees have employment responsibilities, which need them to have some basic understanding of being an employer, especially in the direction, support and development of the staff team. They need to know where their responsibilities lie, and which areas are delegated to the staff, and to ensure that the boundaries are  respected.

For further information please contact Janice e:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.