Moving to a Trustee Board

Why are these changes happening?

In April 2023, The Scouts renamed Executive Committees and Executive Committee Members, as Trustee Boards and Trustees respectively. Doing this brings us in line with good practice guidance set by charity regulators. It also clarifies purpose. Before the name change, Executive Committee members performed the roles of charity trustees and were responsible for charity governance. 

Trustee Boards are set up to focus solely on the governance of the charity not charity operations, and the name change makes this focus clearer.   

Who can be a trustee?

Anyone over 18 could be!

Trustees might have specific skill sets, i.e. Health and Safety, Risk Management, Financial Knowledge, Safeguarding, Building Maintenance or simply a general desire and want to see 1st Tadworth grow and continue to succeed.

What does being a trustee involve?

Trustees will meet 7 times a year, once every two months for between 30-60 minutes (either in person or online), and the Annual General Meeting.

All Trustees are equally responsible, but they might decide to split the tasks between them:

Manage money well 

  • Ensure the charity has enough money for now and in the future. This means having a reserves policy and making sure fundraising takes place, if it’s needed.
  • Have a budget in place. Trustees then agree how to manage the budget with other volunteer teams.

Follow Scouts policies and relevant legislation 

Look after buildings, insurance and property  

  • Look after records of ownership of property and equipment.   
  • Have the right insurance for people, buildings, and equipment.  
  • Make sure buildings and equipment are working well.  

Manage risks  

  • Maintain a risk register and ensure that the right risk mitigations are in place.   

Help the charity to operate well, today and in the future  

  • Work with the Lead Volunteer (currently Fiona Hawker/Radha) to meet the charity aims. 
  • Champion Our Volunteering Culture, and make sure volunteers are aware of it, reflect on it, commit to it, and apply it in their teams.  

 In carrying out the above, Trustees also:  

  • Make sure records of Trustee Board meetings are kept, and complete any actions that are agreed.  
  • Run open selection processes for appointing Trustees.
  • Co-opt Trustees onto the Board if they need people with particular skills or knowledge.
  • Get expert advice, if needed. This could be on health and safety, managing money, buildings, equipment, or employment.
  • Network with other Scouts Trustees to share knowledge and experience.  


Chair of the Trustee Board

We are also looking for someone to Chair our Trustee Board, this entails:

  • Leading the Trustee Board.
  • Planning when Trustee Board meetings should take place, and decide what to talk about at each meeting.
  • Leading Trustee Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
  • Liaising with the Lead Volunteer.
  • Leading the recruitment for new Trustees.
  • Supporting other Trustees by organising inductions, making reasonable adjustments (where needed), checking in to see how they’re getting on, and carrying out annual reviews.


This all sounds like a lot, I wouldn’t know what to do!

We understand that there is a lot of information to take in, but don’t worry – The Scouts offer training for the role, and ongoing support – you’ll also have the support of the current volunteers where they can help.

We are looking for people with enthusiasm and passion, knowledge of The Scouts is not needed to start your volunteering journey.

You’ll also be able to reach out to existing chairs around the District if you need to.


Useful Links

What to expect and where to start

Download the Scouts Trustee Info Pack here

Find out about being a trustee from gov.uk

1st Tadworth Sea Scouts is not responsible for any content of external links


I’d like to find out more about volunteering

    I'm interested in the Chair position