Trustee

Volunteers are the life-blood of Resolve and complement the activities of the whole organisation.

Trustees are volunteers not employees of Resolve. The Trustees Act specifically precludes this. As a result there is no legally binding contractual relationship between the Trustee and Resolve. However, Trustees take up the position in the knowledge that there are legal duties, obligations and an understanding that the Trustees must at all times act in the best interest of the charity and comply with all legislation appropriate to their role. This will include duties under the Charities (Protection & Social investment) Act 2016, Trustees Act 2000, any employment, taxation, equality or other domestic or European legislation, regulation or directive.

The Role of Trustee is one that bring responsibilities, but can be very rewarding for many reasons and on many levels.

Recruitment

New Trustees will be invited to complete an application form that will detail their experience, background and personal and professional skills. We will also wish to know what specific aptitudes you wish to share and in what capacity.

Before completing the form applicants are encouraged to meet with the Chair of Trustees after which you would meet with the CEO and then go on to visits any of Resolve’s sites and meet members of the staff Team. 

All applicants will be subject to an interview at an appropriately convened Trustee meeting to ensure that there is a good match of skills and needs and that the applicant is happy to proceed, where-upon there will be a vote of the Trustees, in line with the Resolve Trustees Standing Orders to vote on the new member to the Trustee Board.

Induction

When you join you will be advised of the trustee training that is available, in particular the introduction to being a trustee, so that you can become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a trustee as early as possible. In some cases this may even be before you have been elected on to the Board.

Other external training courses are available and Trustees will be advised of these and are encouraged to attend these providing that they are relevant and will contribute to the performance of the Trustee in your role.

Time

As a volunteer it is up to you how much time you might wish to give. When you join however you will have been given all information about the Trustee Board, how often the board meets and what expectation there will be about your attendance at properly convened meetings and such ad-hoc meetings as may be required from time to time.

Supervision and support

Experienced staff will be available at most times.  We have a strict Lone Working Policy that seeks to ensure that all staff are comfortable within the working environment at any of the RESOLVE sites. And if there are any issues or questions these should always and immediately be discussed with a senior member of staff.

Expenses

Trustees may not be paid in their role as Trustee. Reasonable expenses however may be claimed for certain activities in the pursuit of your role. Reasonable expenses can be claimed for travel when attending certain events or training when on Resolve business, agreed either as part of your role or by the Chair or Trustee

Board in advance of attending. (See our Expenses Policy). The costs of training will ordinarily be met by the charity for such training that is agreed as essential to your role and in advance of the Trustee attending.

Health and safety

RESOLVE is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment in which our volunteers can work. However volunteers should understand that there are inherent risks when working with vulnerable people, especially those who may sometimes be under the influence of substances, including alcohol.  

Our Health and Safety and Lone Working Policies address this and reflect the environment in which volunteers may be asked to work. Volunteers must make themselves aware of these policies BEFORE they begin to work with us. Accidents and incidents are expected to be reported to management immediately.

Trustees are covered by Resolve’s insurance policy in the pursuit of their role both by Trustee indemnity and public liability as appropriate.

Confidentiality and data protection

Resolve will comply with its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). We will not share your personal information with any other organisation without your prior permission or unless legally required to do so. Likewise, as a Trustee you will have privileged and private information and you shall undertake to keep confidential all such information perpetuity.

Information about the operations of Resolve must be kept confidential at all times.

Our commitment to you is that

ü we will respect your skills, dignity and individual wishes and do our best to meet them

ü we will introduce you to our organisation and people within it

ü we will ensure you have advance notice of regular meetings so you can confirm that you are available and can attend

ü we will reimburse your reasonable costs as are appropriate in your role as Trustee

ü we will introduce you to our complaints procedure if there is any problem

ü we will provide references for any job application you make

ü as an elected member of the management board you are welcome to attend sessions/work anywhere within the organisation, as is appropriate within therapeutic boundaries, in your role as trustee as an observer

ü we will apply our equality policy, dignity & respect at all times

Trustees undertake to

ü attend such meetings as are required in the pursuit of you role as Trustee

ü be reliable and be present, as agreed in order for Resolve to progress its business

ü be open and honest about difficulties and issues you might face and advise members of the board, or the Chair, so we can assist if possible

ü give as much warning as possible about any absences

ü work with enthusiasm and to the best of your ability

ü follow all rules and policies of Resolve, keep confidential your knowledge of our clients and their challenges in line with all confidentiality legislation and good practice