Would you be interested in training to become a Trustee for the CIO?
1. Why is this being suggested?
During 2020, Ryedale Environmental Group and Ryedale Cycle Forum each decided they would like to form a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), so as to have access to a wider range of funding, for projects they felt to be important.
If these two organisations joined forces, a stronger trustee group could be created, with wider expertise. A wider range of Charitable purposes could be included, so that a good range of potential projects could be funded from Charitable Trusts and business giving. It is NOT a proposal to merge the two organisations, but to get some individuals from each to form a CIO to work on joint interests.
Cycle routes should also be wildlife corridors, and encourage involvement with nature. Sustainable transport choices need to be a key part of environmental action, to reduce carbon footprint and pollution. Physical activity and mental health, disability access, and community involvement, are tied in with every project in some way.
Using the CIO model for creating a Charity, the personal liability of Trustees would be limited. A CIO could make applications to charitable trusts, to bring in funding to support and enable a wide range of projects that protect our environment. This could include design and installation of paths that are safer and more environmentally friendly, for cycling, horse-riding, walking, running and wheelchair users; shared or segregated as appropriate for the particular situation. Many environmental projects can be low key and low cost, but some will require larger funding bids, and involve responsibilities or liabilities that need a CIO structure to host them.
Ryedale, as a local Government district, is going to be merged with as yet unconfirmed neighbouring districts, due government de-centralisation. But, as a name, and as a strong organisation, Ryedale Environmental Group (Ryedaleenvirogroup.co.uk) could continue happily into the future. If Ryedale as a local government District, ceases to exist, the CIO could also expand its geographical area in the future, if needs be, but it might decide to stay local.
Ryedale Cycle Forum (getryedalecycling.com) is supported by and chaired by Ryedale District Council. It has Terms of Reference, but no constitution, and no powers to hold funds. If Ryedale District Council is merged with other Councils, then a cycle forum for a wider area may be appropriate, possibly joining with the cycle forums of other current North Yorkshire districts. But those currently involved with Ryedale Cycle Forum would like to continue to work towards local routes too.
2. What approved charitable purposes would a Ryedale Environmental Group CIO provide?
All these extracts in italics below are approved in the Charity Commission’s own website. The text in bold type is suggestions.
The prevention or relief of poverty
… technical skills, travelling expenses to help the recipients to earn their living, equipment and funds for recreational pursuits or training intended to bring the quality of life of the beneficiaries to a reasonable standard
This could be useful for food growing projects, supporting local transport, food share, upcycling, repair cafes, and give or take days.
The Advancement of Education
To be a charitable aim for the public benefit, education must be capable of being ‘advanced’. This means to promote, sustain and increase individual and collective knowledge and understanding of specific areas of study, skills and expertise.
Many speciality areas of environmental knowledge are needed to run good environment projects.
Organisations that support the physical education of young people such as youth sporting facilities
Relevant to cycle skills projects or horse riding. It is very important that environment projects find ways to involve and educate young people.
The Advancement of Health
Charities that promote activities that have a proven beneficial effect on health Charities that provide comforts, items, services and facilities for people who are sick, convalescent, disabled or infirm,
Many aspects of health can be tied in with environmental projects and active travel. Also relevant to the involvement of the elderly and of disabled people.
The Advancement of Citizenship or community development
The promotion of urban and rural regeneration
The promotion of volunteering
The promotion of community capacity building
Supporting environmental projects, including active travel, in and between our rural towns and villages. Helping to local communities to develop long-term sustainability. All projects would encourage and enable volunteering in some way.
The Advancement of Amateur sport
Other organisations concerned with the promotion of a particular amateur sport
Road cycling and mountain biking, for instance.
The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Charities concerned with conservation of flora, fauna or the environment generally
The promotion of sustainable development and biodiversity
Yes, the CIO would definitely doing plenty of this
The relief of those in need
Care and upbringing of children
Relief of the effects of old age
Relief of the effects of disability
Again, relevant for food growing projects, garden projects, supporting local transport, food share, upcycling, repair cafes, and give or take days,
Any other Charitable Purpose
The promotion of the moral or spiritual welfare or improvement of the community
Connecting with nature and reducing carbon footprint is tremendously important
The provision of public amenities
Such as supporting food banks, installing cycle tracks
3. Who would run this Charity – what are the considerations for recruiting Trustees?
The following 3 pages is what the Charity Commission website suggests. There is a lot of information. It is important to understand that creating a charity has to be done properly, and the Charity then it has to be looked after well by its Trustees.
“When recruiting your first board of trustees, aim to stagger the lengths of the first appointments so that the trustees don’t all change at once”.
Identify the skills you have
Your trustees may have untapped skills and experience from previous trusteeships, work or voluntary activity. A skills audit can help you build a picture of this. As well as skills, consider if your trustees’ background and experiences can help:
- bring different points of view to a discussion
- give insight into your beneficiaries’ needs and experience
- make contacts in the community
- think of new ways of doing things
For example, a charity that works with young people might have young people as trustees or advisers as well as older people who bring experience. You’ll get a wider range of experience if you recruit a mix of male and female trustees with different social or ethnic backgrounds and abilities.
Charity trustees need to be over 18 (or over 16 for CIOs and company charities). Make sure you know what checks are needed.
Develop your trustee board
Once you have a clear picture of your trustee board’s existing skills and attributes, think about what’s missing.
You could fill gaps in skills or experience by:
- building on the skills of your existing trustees
- training your existing trustees
- working or sharing expertise with other charities
- recruiting new trustees to meet specific skills gaps
Who to recruit
Recruit trustees who have the experience and skills your charity needs. They need to be interested in the charity’s work and be willing to give their time to help run it.
Being a trustee takes commitment. Don’t appoint trustees because of their status or position in the community alone – these people may be better as patrons.
Aim for a minimum of three unconnected trustees with a good range of skills. You need enough trustees to govern the charity effectively. It’s also important to keep your board small enough to arrange meetings easily and allow effective discussion and decision making.
To attract a broader range of trustees – including young people – you could:
- try recruitment methods other than word of mouth, such as social media, advertising or trustee recruitment websites
- encourage people who already support your charity, for example as volunteers, to become trustees
- approach local universities or colleges and their student unions
Remove any barriers that could stop someone from being a trustee, for example by:
- keeping board papers (particularly financial information) short and easy to understand
- translating documents or providing accessible formats
- making it clear that trustees can claim reasonable expenses, including help with travel and childcare
- holding meetings at venues that are accessible for people with disabilities
- having meetings at times that don’t exclude people who are working or have caring responsibilities
translating documents or providing accessible formats
- making it clear that trustees can claim reasonable expenses, including help with travel and childcare
- holding meetings at venues that are accessible for people with disabilities
- having meetings at times that don’t exclude people who are working or have caring responsibilities
- giving everyone a chance to contribute to discussions at meetings
Trustee role and responsibilities
The Charity Commission says that:- As trustees, you must:
- always act in the best interests of the charity – you must not let your personal interests, views or prejudices affect your conduct as a trustee
- act reasonably and responsibly in all matters relating to your charity – act with as much care as if you were dealing with your own affairs, taking advice if you need it
- only use your charity’s income and property for the purposes set out in its governing document
- make decisions in line with good practice and the rules set by your charity’s governing document, including excluding any trustee who has a conflict of interest from discussions or decision-making on the matter
4. Conclusion
Forming a CIO would be an important and exciting decision, both for the organisations and individuals involved. Some people may want to be involved in leadership roles; many people may be interested in helping out , or benefiting from, the many potential projects.
Some people might not want to be involved at all, preferring to stick with smaller projects.
For more information, please contact Helen Gundry (helenspost@msn.com), or Peter Winter (peterwinter78@hotmail.com)
