The 25 questions that everycharity trustee needs to ask

Are we an effective trustee board that ensures we operate in accordance with our mission statement and charity law?

Do we have sufficient financial reserves?

Do we understand how the wider public perceives our charity?

Do we regularly review the effectiveness of our charity’s

activities and agree appropriate future strategy?

Do we have a risk register? How regularly do we review our risk

management plan? When did we last carry out a risk management exercise?

Do we have a compliant workplace pension scheme, or

are we preparing for automatic enrolment?

Do we have an induction programme for new trustees?

Do we have measures in place to protect

confidential data and safeguard sensitive

information?

Do we have a business continuity plan robust enough to respond to a

wide range of exposures? Do we have a disaster recovery plan?

Do we know what impact the current social and economic

climate is having on our donors and supporters?

Have we conducted a skills audit in the last 12 months?

Are our skills aligned with our objectives?

Are all our trustees receiving appropriate

training?Do we have an effective and robust

whistleblowing policy?

What measures are we taking to protect against cyber risks?

Do we have appropriate policies in place regarding employees including staff appraisal, support and supervision,

probationary periods and remuneration?

Are we making the best use of the financial benefits we

have as a charity? Are we managing health and safetyand employment

law risks effectively?Do we have adequate measures in place to

prevent fraud?

Have we recently conducted a staff

survey to gain insight from our employees?

Do we understand the effect that political, economical, environmental

and sociological factors are having on our charity and its activities?

Do we regularly review our banking arrangements and, if appropriate, our

investments?

Do we manage and support our volunteers

effectively? Do we regularly seek feedback

about their experiences?

When did we last review ourexisting contracts including premises,

equipment and maintenance?

Do we have a succession plan in place?

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Have we considered skill sharing or collaborating with other charities?

Following on from the Charity Commission’s infographic ‘15 questions trustees should ask’ produced in 2012, we’ve produced our own version for 2016.