Southwark Trustee Network
Southwark Trustee Network aims to create a mutual support system for members of management committees through meetings, training seminars, web based resources, e-forums and information bulletins.
The network is led by Trustees and supported by staff from some of the infrastructure organisations in Southwark. Meetings are held once a quarter and in addition, there are regular training events. These are free but must be booked in advance.
The last meeting was held on Monday 2 November from 6 - 8pm at CAS offices, 8th Floor Hannibal House, Elephant and Castle.
The theme was Collaborative working with an update on the new Southwark Voluntary Sector Forum and its 5 sub-groups (Children, Adults, Information, Skills, Space). See attachment below for full details.
All trustees/management committee members of Southwark voluntary organisations are welcome to attend the meetings. Along with the discussion topic, there will also be the opportunity to meet other management committee members from organisations in Southwark, free refreshments and updates on the latest developments in good practice for governance.
Please note that the meeting will be at the CAS offices, 8th Floor Hannibal House,
Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6TE, not at the previous Southbank University venue.
To book a place at a Network Meeting, join the network or go on the mailing list:
e-mail Lynne Gillett, CAS Trustee Support Officer at lynne@casouthwark.org.uk or phone 020 7358 4826
CAS is offering a free induction programme of six short briefings every other Saturday in the New Year. This is designed for new management committee members of Southwark organisations, and those looking for a refresher. Trustees attending all six sessions will receive a CAS certificate.
Saturday 9 January 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
Overview of Management Committee Roles and Responsibilities
Specific and generic roles; working effectively with staff and volunteers; best practice overview of governance models and skills; brief overview of legal responsibilities.
Overview of local needs and the Voluntary Sector’s role in Southwark
Southwark needs and statistics; overview of Southwark communities of ethnicity / interest; overview of Southwark’s statutory sector, voluntary sector and key second-tier resources
Saturday 23 January 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
Committee Skills, effective meetings. dealing with conflicts of interest and good communication
Codes of Conduct and Conflicts of interest - participating effectively and appropriately in meetings; representing the organisation as a trustee externally; overview of meeting formats & structures.
Organisational strategy and planning
Working as a team in decision making; speaking with one voice; Strategic thinking models – including SWOT and PESTLE analysis; Leadership, Vision and Voice; working with partnerships and consultants
Saturday 6 February 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm
Fundraising & representing your organisation externally
Overview of UK funding situation, some key funding bodies locally and nationally; Board’s role in signing-off project ideas, budgets and funding applications; establishing need; Outcomes, Outputs and Impact.
Strategic financial management, reading budgets and annual accounts
The Board’s role in overseeing financial management; the difference between charity and business finance; Charity Commission and funders’ financial reporting requirements; the basics of reading a budget; Annual Accounts and engaging an auditor; risk management and dealing with financial problems.
Please see attached booking form for further details. And please note that we will be able to take a maximum of three management committee members from any one organisation, and last year it was so popular that we had to operate a waiting list!