Induction of Charity Trustees
A good charity trustee induction is fundamental:
- ensures your charity trustees are well informed
- have the best start to their trusteeship
- supports early involvement in the governance of the charity
- helps new trustees become effective and informed more quickly
- equips trustees with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed in their role
- fosters strong relationships and confidence between new and existing trustees
- demonstrates your commitment to supporting the valuable contribution each new trustee can make.
The governing document of your charity will describe how new charity trustees are appointed (usually by members at a general meeting such as an AGM or by the other charity trustees in a board meeting). Potential or candidate charity trustees can be invited along to board meetings prior to their appointment, to observe the meeting, meet key people and ‘getting a feel for’ the organisation’s culture and characters.
Induction Pack
A good induction pack may consist of:
- Clear role description and organisational expectations both procedural and behavioural
- Governing document
- List of people (trustees and staff/lead volunteers)
- Organisation structure
- Trustees’ annual report and statement of account
- Policies – e.g. code of conduct/conflict of interest
- Information about PVG (if appropriate) See Volunteer Edinburgh's Volunteering Wiki pages here
- Comms channels information and newsletters
- Recent board minutes and future meeting schedule
- Strategic or business plans
- OSCR website helpful pages and guidances
- Information about the theme or area of work that the charity works within (e.g. broad information about children’s mental health and some good background reading)
- IT details (e.g. email address set-up, or access to a board papers hub or portal)
- OSCR trustee declaration form for the trustee to self-declare their eligibility to serve. Wiki charity trustee discqualification page here. Full OSCR info on trustee disqualification is available here
Remember to keep your OSCR Charity Register entry up to date with details of your chairty trustees.
The personal touch
Another method to help ensure a good quality induction is to assign a ‘welcome trustee’ or buddy system. This is where an existing, experienced charity trustee from the management committee/board is nominated and agrees to be an explicit contact for new charity trustees – their go to person who can ‘take them under their wing’. This approach can particularly help with inducting young people, people who have never before served on a board/management committee or people with additional support needs.
Further resources and links
Good quality charity trustee training, usually explaining charity trustees’ roles and responsibilities is available across Scotland from your local Third Sector Interface (TSI) – find your local TSI here.
Reach Volunteering - a resource for trustee recruitment and induction.
SCVO pages on induction for charity trustees including a good induction checklist.
CVS Falkirk - Board Induction Guidance
For further free, well-informed information, find your local Third Sector Interface (TSI) at the directory page here