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
Management
- Contact details for the chief executive
- Diagram of management structure
- Role description for the chief executive and other senior staff
