Review its governing document regularly?
Only undertake activities within its objectives?
Stick to its agreed vision and mission?
Ensure its independence from funders?
Recognise its areas of expertise?
Always act in the best interests of the organisation and (if appropriate) its charitable beneficiaries?
Act prudently, in line with its duty of care?
Ensure its membership records are up to date?
Reserves - the funds a charity keeps in reserve - can strengthen a charity’s resilience against, for example, drops in income or the demands of a new project. Find out what charity reserves are and how to develop and report on a charity's reserves policy.
The best strategy to avoiding problems is being aware of how things could go wrong, taking steps to avoid issues and knowing what steps you would take if something did happen. Awareness and prevention are better than a cure. The AoC provides some useful resources for charity boards you can use.
This guidance provides a model role description for a charity secretary of the board that a charity of any size can adapt for their own organisation’s needs.
The Board Secretary’s Handbook tells you what a board secretary is and why you need one. It explains the roles, duties and responsibilities depending on your organisation.
This resource is aimed at supporting charities to ensure the proper procedures and policies are in place to manage the charity’s resources effectively and, where appropriate, to make changes to their charity. Published: 2014.
A step by step guide to the processes of registering your organisation as a Limited Company.
Understanding and choosing a legal structure for your organisation.