Guidance Notes

The charity sector has seen increasing calls for individual trustees on boards to be appointed to lead on specific aspects of a charity’s activities in response to adverse reports – whether it be safeguarding, staff welfare, digital or fundraising. The concept of a ‘lead’ or 'link’ is not new, as it could, for example, be argued that the honorary position of treasurer makes that person the lead trustee on finance.

This CGIUKI guidance note is aimed at trustees in England and Wales and can be adapted for any size of charity to reflect good practice for each organisation’s needs.

This document sets out standards which charity trustees should follow and provides suggestions to help trustees in fulfilling their duties.

This guidance note provides a number of sample board observation sheets that charity boards may wish to adapt as part of their board evaluation process.

A specimen role description detailing the responsibilities and functions of a charity secretary working for a charity operating in Northern Ireland.

Cover sheets allow senior managers and other staff to present information to the board in a consistent manner and to highlight key issues to be discussed.

This guidance note offers an example of a specimen letter to be sent to a new trustee of an unincorporated charity. As such, it is an outline for charities to amend to suit their needs. Charities are urged to ensure that all relevant factors relating to their organisation are included in such letters.

This guidance note offers an example of an appointment letter to be sent to a new director/trustee of a charitable company.

This guidance note offers the charity secretary or governance professional of a charitable company limited by guarantee an outline of the information that should be considered when dealing with the change of trustee and director.