Trustees Matter

This page is dedicated to trustees of voluntary and community groups throughout North Tyneside...

This page will include information, hot topics and issues that matter to all of you who govern community groups, whether you are called Charity Trustees, Management Committee Members, Board Members or a Governing Body.

We want this page to be as interesting and useful as possible, so if you have any comments, please contact Katie Knowles on

katie.knowles@voda.org.uk or 0191 200 8563 

                            Hot Topics for Trustees

Charity Commission News
The CC has recently published new guidance on 'Trustee Expenses and Payments' (CC11).  It details the changes which allow Charity Trustees to be paid for providing goods and services.

For more details view:

  http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc11.asp)

Charity Commission News
The CC has now revised guidance on ' The Hallmarks of an Effective Charity' to clarify the key areas of governance that will provide a

Quality Assurance - CES launch PQASSO 3^rd edition

Charities Evaluation Services (CES) has recently launched the third edition of PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations). PQASSO is the leading quality assurance system used in the voluntary and community sector.

The third edition is significantly updated; it includes:
- sharper focus on the importance of outcomes
- more emphasis on the importance of planning and marketing
- better support for working in partnership
- greater focus on environmental and sustainability issues
- greater prominence to the 'voice' role of VCS organisations.

For more details about PQASSO, view:
   http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=339

Acas consults on discipline and grievance guidance
Since issuing a draft of its revised code of practice on discipline and grievance for formal consultation, Acas has been working on more detailed non-statutory guidance on handling discipline and grievances in the workplace. The guidance, which is designed to support the code, is now available at:   
        http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2080

Comments on the draft guidance should be emailed by
25 July 2008 to DGguide@acas.org.uk


New guidance on CRB checks for volunteers
The Office of the Third Sector has published guidance to help organisations that use volunteers to be clear about when they do and don’t need to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on volunteers. The guidance will help cut unnecessary red tape and responds to concerns voiced by the voluntary sector that potential volunteers can be put off if they are asked to undergo a CRB check without good reason.

For more details view:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/
news_stories/080604_crb.aspx

                    Next meeting of the Trustee Network:      

                     Wednesday 17 September 2008

                     At this event, the topic for discussion will be:
             'Understanding the finances of your organisation'

At this session, we will be covering the following topics:

          internal controls                        charity finance

          managing resources                budgets v's cashflows   

If you would like to attend this session, please contact Kathryn on VODA Reception - 0191 200 8555 - to book your place.

What is the Trustee Network?

It is an opportunity for Trustees from voluntary and community sector groups in North Tyneside, to meet each other and share experiences and knowledge.

How often does it take place?

Meetings can happen as often as Trustees demand.  We know you are all busy people, so we don't want to meet for meetings sake.  We want the Trustee Network to be as useful and informative as possible.

The first meeting took place in May 2008 and feedback from this meeting indicated that the Trustees who attended want the Network to continue and grow to be a vital resource for Trustees in North Tyneside.

What topics are discussed?

At the last meeting of the Trustee Network, the topic was 'leadership'.  We looked at topics including; qualities of a leader, the importance of leadership and leadership v's management.

Resources from the last meeting:
 - Presentation from Derry Nugent          - Qualities of a leader
 - Leadership definitions                          -  Useful resources  

Some of the topics we will look at in the future will include:

Roles & responsibilities of Trustees

Risk Assessment                            Financial Management           

Quality Assurance                           Strategic Planning

Effective Meetings                           Funding

Governance v's management         Business planning

                                      VODA training

VODA will be launching its next training programme in September 2008.  In this programme, there will be a range of courses that aim to build the skills and knowledge of Trustees from local organisations.
Courses will include: introduction to budgets, quality assurance, presentation skills, fundraising.  For more details keep checking the VODA training page.