The Trustee Act 2000 sets out the main duties and powers of the trustees of unincorporated charities.

The Trustees responsibilities are enshrined in law which cannot be taken away by individual officers of your charity or by resolutions passed by the charity’s management committee.

A trustee is a member of the charity’s managing committee and is usually voted on by the charity’s membership or may be co-opted by the committee.

All trustees have equal status there is no hierarchy though the officers Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer have specified duties.

The chairman is NOT in overall control, their role is to be the spokesperson for the collective will of the committee.

The Secretary deals with the charity’s compliance with legislation and necessary reporting. The treasurer deals with the charity’s finances. It is important to understand that though the officers have special duties the responsibility for carrying out these duties does not rest with individual officers but with the committee collectively.