Comic Relief is a leading, high-profile charity which harnesses the power of entertainment to fundraise and uses such funds in support of its vision of a just world free from poverty. Comic Relief operates in accordance with the highest values, in a complicated political and societal environment. The role of a Trustee is essential to the success of Comic Relief and is a complex, challenging, and rewarding role.
The Charity Commission sets out the six main duties of a charity Trustee in its formal guidance setting out the responsibilities of a Trustee. The six main duties are as follows:
- Comply with your charity’s governing document and the law
- Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- Ensure your charity is accountable
- Act in your charity’s best interests
- Act with reasonable care and skill
- Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
All Trustees have the following responsibilities:
- Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving strategic direction to the charity, setting overall strategy and policy, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- Ensure the financial stability of the organisation and the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
- Ensure the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity.
- Safeguard the good name and values of the charity.
- Declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a Trustee.
- Be collectively responsible for the actions of the charity and other Trustees.
- Participate in other tasks as arise from time to time, such as interviewing new staff, helping with fundraising.
- Attend meetings and Committee/Advisory group meetings as appropriate and read papers in preparation for the meeting.
- Keep informed about the activities of the charity and wider issues which affect its work.
- Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance requested by the Board on new initiatives, or other issues, to the area of the charity’s work in which the Trustee has special expertise.
The Time Commitment
The Board currently meets at least quarterly, plus a full day meeting and Trustees are asked to attend up to 4 half day workshop/strategy meetings. The Social Impact Committee meets quarterly with additional short meetings 4 times a year. The Finance & Fundraising Committee meets quarterly.
All meetings are hybrid with options to attend in person and via Zoom.
Length of Appointment
A trustee’s initial term is three years, subject to performance review. This can be extended by the Board (in consultation with the Remunerations & Nominations Committee) for a further three-year period and for a further period of three years after that (therefore up to a maximum of nine years from the date of appointment).
Comic Relief is looking to appoint two new Trustees: one with a background in social change in the Global South, and one with expertise in income generation.