Trusteeship is for everyone, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland says

Northern Ireland’s charity regulator spelt out the merits of charity trusteeship to mark Trustees’ Week 2016.

Trustees’ Week took place from 7- 11 November and the regulator says that becoming a trustee of a charity is something that is open to virtually everyone.

Northern Ireland is home to at least 30,000 charity trustees. These individuals provide charities they serve with strategic direction and are responsible for ensuring each one stays within the remit laid out in its governing document and carries out its purposes for the public benefit.

Anyone can be a charity trustee provided they are over 18-years-old (16-years-old if the charity is a company), and are not disqualified under legislation.

Chief Charity Commissioner Tom McGrath said: “There are a lot of misconceptions about charity trusteeship but the truth is that trustees are as diverse as the charities they manage.

“However, recent research highlighted an increase in the average length of time individuals are serving on charity management committees. In 2015, twice the number of people had served over eleven years in a role than in 2003.  

“This suggests that trustees are getting older, and could make it more difficult for younger people to take up positions as charity trustees. Refreshing the makeup of management committees and boards of trustees can be very valuable for charities.”

A case study featuring Paula Colhoun, charity trustee of Northern Ireland breast cancer charity Pretty ‘n’ Pink  is available at trusteesweek.org.  A range of free governance-related materials, including advice on recruiting new trustees and is available at www.charitycommissionni.org.uk.