RCTA Trustee

RCTA Trustee Role

An RCTA Trustee is a voluntary role undertaken by an officer or member of the Steering Committee. The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer usually make up the three required by our constitution but, after the 2018 AGM, any Steering Committee member can be a Trustee. An RCTA Trustee is not a legally defined position with specific responsibilities as in a charity. In our Association, a Trustee has no greater authority than any other member of the Steering Committee, nor do they take on any greater liability for decisions or actions taken. What they have volunteered to do is to monitor the governance or management of the Association to ensure that it continues to comply with its aims and purposes as stated in its constitution.

To achieve this an RCTA Trustee will:

1. 1. Ensure that the Association is carrying out its purposes by:
      • understanding RCTA’s constitution and how the Association can benefit its members and other Roving Traders
      • making sure the Association complies with its constitution
      • helping the Steering Committee plan and take action to achieve its aims and purposes as expressed in the constitution
      • explaining to others how its activities are intended to help its members and Roving Traders generally
      • making sure that the Association complies with the requirements of legislation and criteria laid down by the Canal & River Trust
      • making sure that actions taken by individual Steering Committee members do not conflict with the purposes of the Association or improperly benefit the personal interests of individual committee members, their partners, business partners or dependent children
      • ensure all decisions are properly authorised by the Steering Committee and, where appropriate, by the membership at a Special General or Annual General Meeting.
   2. Ensure the Steering Committee is acting responsibly, reasonably and honestly by:
      • making sure the Association’s assets are only used to support or carry out its purposes and that inappropriate risks are not taken with its assets or reputation
      • making sure that the Association is not over-committed and that special care is taken when investing or borrowing
      • making sure that any restrictions on the spending of funds are complied with
      • making sure that appropriate policies, procedures and safeguards are in place and taking reasonable steps to ensure that they are being followed.
   3. Ensure the Steering Committee complies with accounting and reporting requirements as stated in the constitution by:
      • making sure that the Association complies with the law, is well run and effective
      • making sure the activities of the Steering Committee are accountable and communicated to the membership.