Christ Central currently has nine trustees:
- Gillian Atkinson (Chair)
- Ruth Odih
- Liz Goudie
- Gary Smith
- Phalecs Jagboro
Why does Christ Central need trustees?
As well as being a church, Christ Central operates as a charity, under a legal form known as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The charity is regulated by the Charity Commission and has a legally binding document known as a Constitution. The trustees’ job is to govern the charity on behalf of the elders and members of the church. Doing this means that the trustees have considerable responsibilities in terms of the church and how it operates. They must ensure that Christ Central is carrying out the charity’s objectives, which are stated in the Constitution.
The charity’s objectives are:
- To advance the Christian religion.
- To relieve persons in need by reason of financial hardship, ill health, unemployment, or other social/economic disadvantage in such ways as the Charity Trustees may from time to time decide.
What do the trustees do?
The trustees have a set of core responsibilities defined by the Charity Commission. These are to:
- Understand clearly who benefits from Christ Central’s activities.
- Comply with the Constitution.
- Comply with the law.
- Always act in Christ Central’s best interests.
- Avoid any conflict of interest.
- Receive no benefit from the charity.
- Manage Christ Central’s resources properly.
- Act with reasonable care and skill.
- Help plan what Christ Central will do and achieve.
- Be able to demonstrate that all Christ Central’s activities serve its objectives.
They discharge their responsibilities by focussing on ten key areas:
- Vision and Strategy: That Christ Central has a documented vision and a strategy to achieve it.
- Administration: That Christ Central is properly administered at all levels.
- Financial stewardship: That appropriate and stable finances, good financial oversight, and robust financial systems, are in place.
- Compliance: That the charity complies with its Constitution and the law.
- Risk management: That risks to the charity and its beneficiaries are effectively managed.
- Employment: That Christ Central is a good employer.
- Accountability: That the trustees can demonstrate that the charity is effective and well run to the Charity Commission, the elders, church members, and the wider public. Conversely, the elders and staff team must be able to demonstrate to the trustees that the activities they direct or carry out are furthering the charity’s objectives effectively.
- Policies: That appropriate policies are established, maintained, and followed.
- Leadership support: That the lead elder, and other leaders in the church, are appropriately equipped and supported.
- Performance: That the trustees perform effectively and seek to continually improve their own performance.
How do the trustees work together?
The trustees meet formally every two months but also work together in the interim by electronic means. They make all significant decisions jointly. The trustees model the church’s and Christian values when carrying out their role; in particular: integrity, transparency, valuing others, a pastoral heart, humility, and openness to challenge/growth.
Trustees are selected for different skills and approaches, but no one trustee’s view is considered more valuable than another’s. trustees are encouraged to express their opinions freely and clearly, while listening to other trustees’ opinions.
How do I become a trustee?
Trustees are drawn from the membership of the church. Any potential trustee must have been a church member for at least six months. A church member may nominate themselves to be a trustee providing they have the support of another church member (their seconder). Alternatively, the chair and lead elder working together can identify suitable candidates for new trustees. The chair will then approach them to gauge their interest.
How do I contact the trustees?
The trustees have a dedicated email address: trustees@christ-central.org.uk