Role of a Trustee

Trustees play an important role in enabling Engage to flourish to support its vision to share and demonstrate Faith, Hope and Love with the educational community in the Woking area. No one Trustee is expected to have all the skills and experience, but collectively the Trust Board is able to fulfil its duties appropriately and support the work of Engage to enable the Christian message to be heard in local schools and colleges.

Purpose

Trustees are responsible for providing effective governance and oversight of the Mission Partner Body. Their responsibilities include:

  • Setting and safeguarding the charity’s vision and strategic direction.
  • Ensuring accountability to supporters, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders.
  • Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the charity’s impact and performance.
  • Overseeing public relations, representation, and reputation.
  • Providing appropriate oversight of staff and volunteer management.

These duties align with the Charity Commission’s core expectations that trustees ensure their charity is carrying out its purposes for public benefit, acts in its best interests, and remains accountable.

Accountability

Trustees act collectively and are accountable to one another and to the charity under its governing documents and the Charities Act. The Charity Commission emphasises that trustees may delegate authority but never responsibility.

Main Functions

Vision

Trustees provide strategic leadership, ensuring that all activities align with Engage’s purposes and values.

Essential Responsibilities

To attend 6 evening meetings a year
Actively promote Engage within their own field of influence e.g. own church and neighbouring churches if appropriate.
Attend annual events if external commitments permit

Legal Responsibilities

Trustees must ensure compliance with:

  • The governing document
  • Charity law
  • Company law (if applicable)
  • Safeguarding, employment, and other statutory requirements

This reflects current Commission guidance on legal and regulatory duties.

Management

Trustees support effective governance through:

  • Strategic planning and oversight
  • Ensuring sound financial management
  • Upholding strong meeting, decision-making, and administrative processes
  • Ensuring transparent communication and representation

These activities reflect updated guidance on decision-making, meetings, and financial stewardship.

Collective Activities

Trustees work together to:

  • Encourage the engagement of volunteers, staff, churches, and supporters in shaping the mission and long‑term vision.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
  • Ensure all resources are used responsibly, solely to advance the charity’s purposes.
  • Set policy, goals, and performance measures.
  • Safeguard the Mission Partner Body’s reputation and values.
  • Maintain effective administration and financial stability.
  • Appropriately oversee staff performance, wellbeing, and development.
  • Use their individual and collective expertise to inform good, evidence‑based decision‑making.

These principles align strongly with the Charity Commission’s expectations for accountable, skilled, and strategic trustee boards.

Requirements for All Trustees

Trustees should embody strong character, competence, and commitment. In line with current Charity Commission expectations for trustee capability, they should have:

  • Integrity, good judgement, and commitment to the charity’s purposes.
  • Understanding of the Mission Partner Body’s potential contribution to Christian ministry.
  • Knowledge of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
  • Willingness to devote adequate time for meetings, preparations, and ongoing learning.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
  • Willingness to develop skills, challenge constructively, and think strategically.

This echoes the Commission’s guidance on acting with reasonable care and skill, and ensuring effective governance.

Additional Skills and Experience

Collectively, trustees are expected to bring a diverse mix of skills and perspectives—an important feature of strong governance.
Relevant areas may include:

  • Biblical and theological understanding
  • Experience relevant to the Mission Partner Body’s ministry
  • Governance and voluntary sector management
  • Human relationships, organisational behaviour, and people management
  • Setting and evaluating targets
  • Interdenominational church experience
  • IT and digital communication
  • Education or training
  • Financial management and oversight
  • Fundraising and income generation
  • Legal insight
  • Marketing, promotion, and public relations
  • HR, recruitment, and employment law

Diverse board skills help ensure well‑rounded decision‑making and strong accountability frameworks.

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