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Before accepting a charity trustee role, ask about the work, the time involved and the support you will receive. Trustees lead a charity together and are responsible for making sure it does what it was set up to do.[1] A friendly invitation is a starting point for a conversation, rather than a reason to agree immediately.
This guide offers questions for that conversation, not legal or financial advice. The Charity Commission guidance linked here covers England and Wales.[2] If the charity is based elsewhere, use the relevant regulator’s guidance before relying on the appointment process described here.
Find out what you would actually do
Ask for a written role description. The Commission says this should explain the responsibilities, any particular duties, the experience needed and the time commitment outside meetings.[2] Read it alongside your own diary. A role that fits one person’s working week may be difficult alongside your caring responsibilities or shift pattern.
Ask the chair to talk you through a recent month. What arrived between meetings? Were trustees reviewing papers, helping with an event or covering practical tasks? Ask which activities are part of the trustee role and which are separate volunteering. You want to understand the offer, including the bits that do not appear in the meeting calendar.
You might say: “I can prepare for an evening meeting each month, but I cannot promise daytime availability. Would that fit what you need?” Give a realistic answer before everyone starts relying on a different one.
Read the papers and ask ordinary questions
Request the governing document, recent annual report and accounts, and an explanation of the charity’s current plans. The Commission includes these documents, alongside management accounts, budgets and key policies, in its suggested induction information.[2] Ask whether you can see enough of that material before accepting to understand what you would be joining.
You do not have to pretend the figures make sense on first reading. Try: “What are the main pressures in this budget?” or “Which plans depend on funding that has not yet been secured?” Ask who will explain unfamiliar terms. These questions help you decide what further information or professional advice you need; they are not a substitute for reviewing the charity properly.
Keep a note of anything unanswered. If a document is unavailable, ask when you can expect it rather than filling the gap with reassurance from someone enthusiastic about recruiting you.
Talk about connections before appointment
Mention relevant links to the charity, its suppliers or the people it supports. The Commission recommends discussing potential conflicts with candidates and considering how they could be managed; a potential conflict does not automatically rule someone out.[2] Do not decide for yourself that a connection is too small to mention.
For example, you might already work for an organisation that sells services to the charity. Explain the connection and ask how the board would handle decisions involving that organisation. Ask for its conflicts policy and who can answer questions about your circumstances.
Also ask how the charity checks eligibility and makes appointments. Follow the applicable regulator’s guidance rather than assuming that being invited to a meeting means you have formally joined. If your circumstances raise a legal question, get appropriate advice before accepting.
Ask how first-time trustees are supported
An induction should help you understand both the organisation and the responsibilities. The Commission suggests sharing papers early enough for new trustees to prepare and consider their contribution.[2] Ask what will happen in your first few weeks and who you can contact between meetings.
Would a conversation with another trustee help? Could someone explain how papers are organised before your first board meeting? Ask whether meetings are accessible to you, including their timing, location and any communication adjustments you need. Be specific about the arrangement that would make participation possible.
For a charity in Scotland, OSCR has guidance on inducting and managing trustees.[4] Use it to frame questions with that board rather than treating England and Wales guidance as UK-wide law.
Take time to give a clear answer
Arrange a follow-up conversation after you have read the documents. Bring your remaining questions, confirm the practical commitment and ask for any agreed support in writing. You can be interested in the cause while still needing more information about the role.
If the fit is not right, explain what you can realistically offer instead, if anything. A clear decision is more useful than agreeing to responsibilities you cannot make room for.
Your next step can be simple: request the role description and book a conversation with the chair. For more reading about running a small charity and supporting its people, visit the MH360 charities hub.
Sources
[1] What is a charity trustee? – GOV.UK
