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Devon

Board of Trustees

Learn about who the Board of Trustees are and what they do

The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for everything that happens at the RBL and for ensuring that the charity furthers its charitable purposes effectively. The trustees do this by agreeing on a strategy and then holding the Director General and the Executive Board to account for its delivery.

All trustees are equally responsible in law for the Board’s actions and decisions.

The Board of Trustees is comprised of two National Officers – the National Chair and National Vice-Chair – and up to 14 trustees.

The National Officers and seven of the trustees are elected by the charity’s membership. The counting of postal ballots is carried out independently by the Electoral Reform Services (Civica). Six of the trustees are appointed. The Chair of the Women’s Section is also a trustee.

Although the National President is not a trustee, they attend meetings of the Board at their discretion to observe and advise trustees when appropriate.

All trustees serve terms of three years with a maximum of three consecutive terms for any individual. The elected trustees are nominated and then elected by the RBL’s branches on one branch one vote basis.

The appointed trustees are recruited via an independent selection process run by a third-party recruitment company. The trustees come from a variety of backgrounds to ensure that the Board has an appropriate mix of skills and experience to function effectively.

All of the trustees are volunteers.

The key responsibilities of trustees are to:

  • ensure that the organisation meets its overall purpose and objectives for the public benefit

  • comply with the organisation’s governing document - The Royal Charter, the law and appropriate regulatory frameworks

  • manage the organisation’s resources responsibly

  • act in the organisation’s best interests

  • act with reasonable care and skills

  • identify and manage conflicts of interest

  • ensure that the organisation is accountable and effectively managed and run by the Director General and the Executive Board

  • ensure there is an effective mechanism for the identification and management of the key risks facing the organisation

The Board of Trustees delegates authority to several committees. Each of the committees is governed by its Terms of Reference, which set out not only what the committee is responsible for overseeing but also how its work will be reported back to the main Board. The principal committees are:

Considers all financial matters relating to the activities of the RBL, including:

  • reviewing the annual budget, management accounts and financial statements and forecasts

  • overseeing and monitoring the investments of the RBL and all subsidiaries, Branches, Counties, Districts, Sections and Funds

  • overseeing and monitoring the performance of the IT function, including scrutiny over major IT projects

Monitors the integrity of the operations of the RBL by:

  • reviewing the effectiveness of the systems and policies we use to identify, assess, manage and monitor risk

  • receiving and considering the results of any testing carried out by internal and external auditors

  • authorising any special investigations thought to be necessary

  • monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the RBL’s internal audit function

Provides advice, guidance and recommendations on governance, including:

  • trustee and National Officer appointments

  • The Royal Charter and supporting rules

  • succession planning, development and performance management of the Board of Trustees

  • organisational structure and review

  • oversight of the complaints procedure for membership and volunteers

Provides a dedicated focus on the needs of members and the support they give to the RBL, including:

  • providing policy input on Membership matters

  • advising on the management and control of County and branch assets

  • responsibility for the management and administration of Counties

  • approving the formation, amalgamation and closure of Counties, branches and sub-branches

  • approving the issue, amendment and withdrawal of RBL Club licences

  • monitoring the General Fund Budget

  • input to the development of the Strategic Membership Plan

Responsible for the organisation of the Annual Conference, including:

  • producing and distributing the Agenda

  • drawing up the Standing Orders and procedures

  • issuing instructions and information to members

  • assessing  all Charter Motions, Motions of Urgency, Amendments and Nominations

  • assessing  the eligibility of nominated delegates

  • creating a nomination form for proposed venues, visiting and selecting venues and ensuring that all facilities are adequate and fit for the purpose