Getting started in governance

Having a good understanding of governance is key to the successful operation of any organisation.  This section provides you with all the essential information you will need.

Governance basics

An introduction to governance

An introduction to the important area of governance and its role within your organisation.

What is a board?

Definition of charity trustee board.

What is a trustee?

What is a trustee, what are the main duties and roles and who can be a trustee.

What is a governing document?

The core legal document that explains why your organisation exists and how it is controlled. 

Taking decisions and getting work done

Agreeing on who has the right to make which decisions in your non profit organisation and how exactly the decisions should be made.

Board meetings

The basics of meetings, and how to make them effective.

People: recruiting and managing staff and volunteers

The governing body must ensure it has the appropriate policies and processes in place to support and manage staff and volunteers.

People: recruiting trustees

The governing body must ensure it has a sufficient number of trustees and plan for succession.

Further help and advice

• NCVO members can download a range of model governance documents and sample role descriptions in our Tools and Resources section under Board Basics.
• Try our online governance video training in the Studyzone section (free for NCVO members)
• Book one of our face-to-face training days either at NCVO or at your own organisation:

- Charity Trustee Induction and Refresher training

- Financial Intelligence for Trustees

- The High Performance Board

- Supporting good governance: Effective board servicing and governance administration

• Attend our annual Trustee Conference
• Engage our governance consultants
• Buy our best selling book The Good Trustee Guide
• The Charity Commission has a comprehensive set of guidance documents for charity trustees