Trustee induction schedule and pack

Suggested content for comprehensive trustee induction pack.

Induction is an opportunity for new trustees to learn about their role and the charity. A trustee induction programme will include a variety of activities and documents delivered over a period of time.

A pack or handbook is the basic part of any induction; a trustee should be given one to keep.
Your pack should be comprehensive, covering the following areas and include the resources listed.

Schedule	Recruitment/election	On boarding period	First year
Suggested pack content	Role description and recruitment pack making clear what it is to be a trustee	Welcome message or meeting with chair and CEO as soon as appointed/elected welcoming them to the board and outlining the induction and sharing trustee handbook. Also discuss training needs.	Meeting with the chair or vice chair 6 months into appointment to discuss how trustees are finding the role and any further training needs
	Briefings, meeting or phone calls with prospective candidates before interview or election to help them understand the organisation led by CEO or chair.	Trustee training offered	Annual individual skills audit and reflection exercise to inform training needs
	Opportunity to attend a board meeting to see how they are run and adjust to environment before formally accepting role	Offer to add trustee to charity commission updates and other governance mailing lists	Board and individual trustee performance review (commentary in board effectiveness section) Feedback given to new trustees.
		Visit to key sites to see the business and structured meetings with key staff	Offer external mentorship / support / advice
		Share meeting dates and cycle of business for the year ahead

The charity

Vision, mission and values
Most recent annual report and accounts
Strategic and business plans
Key policies (eg health and safety, safeguarding, reserves, social media)
Report of annual risk audit

Legal status and regulatory guidance

Copy of the governing document and associated documents
Copy of the Charity Commission guidance The Essential Trustee: What you need to know (CC3)
Copy of Charity Governance Code

Governance

Role descriptions for trustees, chair, treasurer and CEO
Code of conduct for trustees and other relevant policies (eg anti-bullying, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, grievance procedures and whistle-blowing)
Diagram of governance structure or list of board committees, together with membership details
Terms of reference for board committees
Document setting out levels of the board’s delegated authority, including financial delegation and controls
List of current trustees and contact details
List of important dates (eg board meetings, annual general meeting etc)
Details of travel and subsistence allowances for trustees with a copy of a claim form