- be legally and ultimately responsible, providing security and continuity and ensuring delivery of the charitable outcomes
- anticipate and plan for the future
- determine policy and strategy
- appoint and oversee the chief executive
- monitor performance so that the Ramblers meets its charitable aims
- balance the different stakeholder interests (the public, members, volunteers, policy makers and funders are examples of our stakeholders)
- represent the Ramblers to internal and external stakeholders
- recruit and induct new board members to meet present and future requirements of the Ramblers
- ensure the board works efficiently (not too big, focused sub-committees, meeting its own collective or individual training needs etc)
- determine its own agenda and priorities
- stand back from the day to day operations and know when to take a dispassionate view on critical issues like the mission, the objectives, the allocation of resources to meet future needs, the long-term financial security of the organisation, external influences of relevance
- have a commitment to promoting diversity within the Ramblers
- add value by providing insight, wisdom and judgement
- enjoy the process of running a Great Britain wide campaigning charity
The Charity Commission (the body which regulates charities like the Ramblers) produces a useful guide to the role and responsiblities of Trustees, called The Essential Trustee. Click here to view.
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Role of the Board's Sub Committees
There are three sub-committees of the Board, which usually meet in the run-up to a Board meeting. The sub-committees enable discussion of issues to take place in more depth, and will consider matters referred to them by the Board, and will often make recommendations to the Board. The sub-committees are: Strategy and Governance Sub-Committee
Remit:
To provide advice, scrutiny and support to the Senior Management Team, and to advise the Board of Trustees, on delivering the aspects of Aim 4 of our Strategy, Fresh Air, Firm Ground, except those issues covered by Finance & Audit Sub-Committee and Campaigns and Marketing Sub-Committee, including:
(a) Progress in implementing the strategy
(b) Development of key skills of trustees, volunteers and staff
(c) Good governance and democratic structure
(d) Consideration of devolution implications affecting England, Scotland and Wales, wherever relevant
(e) Development of ICT and operational capacity
The members of the sub-committee are: Harry Mycock (Chair), Andrew Bibby, Jo Bird, Gus Halfhide, Alison Mitchell. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer are ex-officio members. The Chief Executive is a non-voting member.
Campaigns and Marketing Sub-Committee
Remit:
To provide advice, scrutiny and support to the Senior Management Team, and to advise the Board of Trustees, on delivering the aspects of Aims 1, 2 and 3 of our Strategy, Fresh Air, Firm Ground, including:
(a) Campaigning, including within Westminster and local authorities (and the scrutiny of legal casework) including seeking the advice of external experts where appropriate
(b) Development of policy, including follow-up of GC policy motions
(c) Urban walking and the development of Get Walking, Keep Walking and other walking promotion projects
(d) Development of the led walks programme and volunteer walks leaders
(e) Promotion of walking for health
(f) Development events such as the 75th anniversary and members’ day
(g) Development of the member offer, including to specific membership segments
(h) Improvements to the Ramblers image and promotion
The members of the sub-committee are: Kate Ashbrook (Chair), Owen Plunkett, Eleanor Harris, Len Banister. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer are ex-officio members. The Chief Executive is a non-voting member.
Finance and Audit Sub-Committee
Remit:
To provide advice, scrutiny and support to the Senior Management Team, and to advise the Board of Trustees, on delivering the financial aspects of Aim 4 of our Strategy Fresh Air, Firm Ground, including:
(a) Financial accounting, auditing, and budgeting process
(b) Overview of performance management
(c) Implementation of the recommendations in the Auditor’s management letters
(d) Compliance with statutory legal and financial requirements
(e) Consideration of organisational risk
(f) Development and diversification of income
(g) Fundraising policy and practice
The ex-officio members of the sub-committee are the Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer (Chair). The Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Operations are non-voting members.
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