What is a trustee and two key duties?

• A. A trustee is a donor to the charity; duties include ensuring donations are used.
• B. A trustee governs a charity; duties include acting in the charity's best interests and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• C. A trustee runs day-to-day operations; duties include hiring staff and managing budgets.
• D. A trustee manages the charity's investments; duties include maximizing profits and minimizing risk.

Answer: (B)

Trustees govern a charity, setting direction, ensuring legal compliance, and safeguarding how resources are used to meet the charity’s aims. The two key duties are acting in the charity’s best interests and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Acting in the charity’s best interests means making decisions that advance the charity’s purposes, with reasonable care and skill, and considering the impact on beneficiaries and the charity’s long-term welfare. Avoiding conflicts of interest means being open about any personal or other interests that could influence decisions and stepping back from decisions whenever a conflict could affect impartiality.

This governance role is distinct from fundraising efforts, day-to-day operations handled by staff, or investment aims focused on profits.