Trustee

Resolve is a registered charity and led by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees (all unpaid volunteers) act individually and collectively, to provide an overall stewardship of the charity, in accordance with our governing documents, relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. In essence we look after the staff and the organisation, so they can support the community.

“Being a Trustee at Resolve is giving me an opportunity to help in an area which I have great empathy with” Current Trustee

“Having seen the devastating affects of both addiction and homelessness first hand, I knew the opportunity to get involved with Resolve as a Trustee was for me. Seeing the great work that Resolve does up close and to hear the impact that these services have on service users, their families and loved ones as well as the local community, truly impresses me. So, being able to play some small part by contributing as a Trustee is enormously rewarding. I also have more awareness of what is happening in my local community and what’s more I get to work with a great team.” Current Trustee

The amount of time spent on Resolve matters will vary for each Trustee and from month to month. Formal board meetings take place 4-6 times a year, usually on a weekday evening. However Trustees will meet up with fellow Trustees and with staff and volunteers in-between these formal meetings to work on projects, provide oversight and offer support. 

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience to be a Trustee (some Trustee roles, like the Treasurer require particular skills), and we welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experience. 

Please look at our website for more information and get in touch if you would like to have an informal chat about this role or find out more about Resolve.

Trustees’ 6 main duties (Charity Commission)

1. Ensure Resolve is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit

You and your co-Trustees must make sure that Resolve is carrying out the purposes for which it is set up, and no other purpose. This means you should:

• ensure you understand Resolve’s purposes as set out in its governing document

• plan what Resolve will do, and what you want it to achieve

• be able to explain how all of Resolve’s activities are intended to further or support its purposes

• understand how Resolve benefits the public by carrying out its purposes

2. Comply with Resolve’s governing document and the law

You and your co-Trustees must:

• make sure that Resolve complies with its governing document

• comply with charity law requirements and other laws that apply to Resolve

3. Act in Resolve’s best interests

You must:

• do what you and your co-Trustees (and no one else) decide will best enable Resolve to carry out its purposes

• with your co-Trustees, make balanced and adequately informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term

• avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to Resolve conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body

• not receive any benefit from Resolve unless it’s properly authorised and is clearly in Resolve’s interests; this also includes anyone who is financially connected to you, such as a partner, dependent child or business partner

4. Manage Resolve’s resources responsibly

You must act responsibly, reasonably and honestly. This is sometimes called the duty of prudence. Prudence is about exercising sound judgement. You and your co-Trustees must:

• make sure Resolve’s assets are only used to support or carry out its purposes

• not take inappropriate risks with Resolve’s assets or reputation

• not over-commit Resolve

• take special care when investing or borrowing

• comply with any restrictions on spending funds

5. Act with reasonable care and skill

As someone responsible for governing a charity, you:

• must use reasonable care and skill, making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary

• should give enough time, thought and energy to your role, for example by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all Trustees’ meetings

6. Ensure Resolve is accountable

You and your co-Trustees must comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements. You should also:

• be able to demonstrate that Resolve is complying with the law, well run and effective

• ensure appropriate accountability to members, if Resolve has a membership separate from the Trustees

• ensure accountability within Resolve, particularly where you delegate responsibility for particular tasks or decisions to staff or volunteers

Person specification for Trustees:

• Have empathy with the purpose and values of Resolve

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills

• Strategic vision

• Good, independent judgement

• Willingness to speak your mind yet work collaboratively and as a member of a team

• Ability, commitment and drive to take the organisation forward

• Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship

• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership